Jordan Hicks can reach 100 tackles in a season. Kyler Murray can tie a team rookie record.
The Arizona Cardinals face the San Francisco 49ers Sunday afternoon for the second time this season. Some Cardinals players can reach or achieve career or season milestones in the game.
Here are some of those potential milestones.
LB Jordan Hicks
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
It should not take long for Hicks to get his milestone. With his first tackle, he will reach 100 tackles for the season. It will be the first time in his career he has had 100 tackles in a season.
It’s a familiar matchup for the 49ers as they take on the Arizona Cardinals just 17 days after their win in Arizona.
It’s a familiar matchup for the 49ers as they take on the Arizona Cardinals just 17 days after their win in Arizona. The 49ers escaped Arizona on Halloween with a 28-25 victory that saw Jimmy Garoppolo carry the offense with four touchdown passes, and a defense that barely held on long enough to get the job done. The two division rivals will close out their season series Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Here are the three matchups that could decide whether the 49ers sweep or Arizona can earn a split:
Deebo Samuel vs. Patrick Peterson
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
With George Kittle out and Emmanuel Sanders questionable for Sunday, Samuel could be the best receiver on the field for the 49ers. With that comes a matchup against one of the better cornerbacks in league. Samuel had the best game of his career against Seattle with eight receptions for 112 despite having a couple of drops that could have added to his numbers. If Sanders can’t go, expect Jimmy Garoppolo to target Samuel a bit but with that comes throwing at Peterson, a three-time All-Pro corner.
The Cardinals aren’t in the NFC playoff picture, but they can play spoiler for the 49ers.
The 49ers face the Cardinals on Sunday for the second time in three weeks. San Francisco won the first meeting 28-25, but the showing left some doubt as to whether Arizona is as bad as their now 3-6-1 record indicates.
We caught up with Jess Root, the managing editor of Cards Wire, to chat with him about Sunday’s matchup and how the Cardinals have gotten to this point in head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s first season.
Niners Wire: How much does having a healthy David Johnson change the Cardinals’ game plan on offense?
Jess Root: Well, it doesn’t really change much. With Kenyan Drake, it allows the Cardinals to do more or less everything they normally do. However, it does allow them to put both Johnson and Drake on the field at the same time. We saw a little of that against the Bucs, but it wasn’t used to the fullest degree with one motioning out of the backfield to receiver. That would be ideal in my opinion and would allow Johnson to get more involved successfully.
NW: Christian Kirk is coming off a huge three-touchdown game vs. Tampa Bay. Is he going to be the focal point of the Cards’ passing attack as long as he’s healthy?
JR: The Cardinals were really high on Kirk entering this season. Before his ankle injury against the Seahawks, he was really beginning to produce. Now, the Bucs are terrible in defending the pass, but his performance last week is the type of ceiling we expect. The team believes he has the juice to be a No. 1 receiver, and his positional flexibility makes him a tough matchup.
NW: Arizona is 27th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed. Is their defense just missing talent, or is there something bigger going on?
JR: Well, since changing schemes back to a supposed “attacking 3-4 defense” didn’t yield better results, one would think that talent is the issue, rather than coaching or scheme, as they have been bad in a 4-3 and a 3-4 under two different coaches. That said, the Cardinals do have talent. Chandler Jones and Patrick Peterson are among the best at their position. Jordan Hicks is solid. The problem is everywhere else is either manned by OK guys or young players who haven’t developed.
They brought in D.J. Swearinger last season, who was a borderline Pro Bowler. He was terrible. Robert Nkemdiche showed up fat and out of shape before he was cut. Darius Philon, a big free agent addition, allegedly pulled a gun on strippers and threatened them, leading to his arrest and release from the team. Linebacker Haason Reddick just hasn’t developed as an off-the-ball linebacker.
It’s a mess, and one has to wonder if they will have to change coordinators again.
NW: Three of Arizona’s six losses are by a combined 12 points. Two of those were vs. playoff teams, Baltimore and San Francisco. What’s the main reason the Cardinals are finding ways to stay in games with a middling offense and a bottom-of-the-league defense?
JR: Well, Kyler Murray is a playmaker. And the defense isn’t always bad. It is very good for about two-thirds of most games. Their middling offense is mostly the result of kicking field goals in the red zone instead of scoring touchdowns. They are scoring often, just not touchdowns. They also are the best at taking care of the ball, so they stay in ballgames that way.
NW: Prediction time. Do we get another close one, or does one team figure it out and run away with a win?
JR: With as many players out or expected to be out as there will be for the Niners, I expect another close game. San Fran will still make plays, but the Cardinals will once again move the ball against the 49ers defense. Kicker Chase McLaughlin’s made extra point will be the difference. 49ers 28, Cardinals 27
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been sacked 31 this season. It is one of the highest totals in the league. However, even with all the sacks, you might not believe it, but he is actually the most difficult quarterback in the league to sacks.
In the above video, it gives the five most difficult quarterbacks to sack, based on the percentage of the time they evade pressure.
Murray is not only the best. He is the best by a large margin.
He evades pressure 31.4% of the time, which is 10% higher a rate than the No. 2 quarterback on the list — Derek Carr.
This is both a good and a bad stat for the Cardinals. Obviously, evading pressure is great. However, with the high number of sacks he has taken, it suggests he has been under pressure a lot.
Of course, 20 of the 31 sacks he has taken this season came in the first four weeks of the year. In the last six games, he has been sacked only 11 times.
Either way, Murray has come as advertised. He is fast. He is elusive and he makes plays.
He makes his offensive line look better and he is very difficult to bring down because he is so hard to get.
The Arizona Cardinals will look to even the score against the 8-1 49ers as the team travels to Santa Clara this Sunday.
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Halloween night was heart-breaking for many Arizona Cardinals fans. Quarterback Kyler Murray and company very nearly pulled off an epic comeback against one of the top teams in the NFL on prime-time television. It certainly would have been great for the Cardinals, though Sunday presents a chance at redemption.
The San Francisco 49ers are down many starters due to injury, while the Cardinals are coming in relatively healthy. LT Joe Staley and DT D.J. Jones have been ruled out, with many others questionable.
The biggest storyline is tight end George Kittle, who is officially listed as doubtful (even though head coach Kyle Shanahan told Arizona media he wouldn’t play earlier in the week). Another big injury is WR Emmanuel Sanders, who is in a ton of pain due to a rib injury sustained in Monday Night Football’s loss to the Seahawks. He is officially questionable.
Some other names for the 49ers on the injury front is RB Matt Breida (doubtful) and K Robbie Gould (doubtful).
The Cardinals must capitalize on San Francisco’s injury-plagued roster. They owe them one for the loss on Thursday Night Football.
Previewing Sunday’s Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers Week 11 matchup, with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets
[jwplayer JLUmLtYE]
The Arizona Cardinals (3-6-1) are on the road to face the San Francisco 49ers (8-1) for the second time in three weeks in this NFC west battle. The game kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The game will air on FOX.
We analyze the Cardinals-49ers odds and sports betting lines, while providing betting tips and advice on this Week 11 NFL matchup.
Cardinals at 49ers: Week 11 preview, betting trends and notes
Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.
The 49ers lost for the first time in this season in Week 10, a 27-24 overtime loss at home to the Seattle Seahawks.
Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown and had 162 total yards against the 49ers two weeks ago.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had three touchdown passes last week and was intercepted for the first time in over a month. He set an NFL rookie record with 211 consecutive passes without an interception.
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo threw four touchdown passes and had 317 passing yards against the Cardinals in Week 9.
The Cardinals have scored at least 25 points in five of the last six games. The 49ers have only given up more than 25 points twice all season.
Cardinals at 49ers: Key injuries
Cardinals: DE’s Jonathan Bullard (foot) and Rodney Gunter (calf), LB Terrell Suggs (hamstring) and CB Patrick Peterson (calf) are questionable. RB Chase Edmonds (hamstring) is out.
49ers: WR Dante Pettis (back) and LB Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion) are questionable. WR Emmanuel Sanders (ribs) and TE George Kittle (knee) are doubtful. OT Joe Staley (finger), RB Matt Breida (ankle) and DT D.J. Jones (groin) are out.
Cardinals at 49ers: Odds, betting lines and prediction
AVOID. At -500, the San Francisco 49ers are almost a sure thing, but it will win you almost nothing. A $10 bet will only earn a $2 profit. However, the Cardinals at +370 make one heck of a value, but considering the imbalanced matchup, it isn’t worth the wager.
The 49ers are favored by 11.5 (+100) points at home. They are 5-4 ATS this season, while the Cardinals have been an impressive 7-3 ATS. The Cardinals are bad defensively, but the 49ers are missing enough weapons on offense to keep from pulling ahead by a bunch. The Cardinals offense is scoring enough to keep them in the game. Take the CARDINALS at +11.5 (-121).
The total is set at 45.5, which seems low. While the 49ers are allowing only 14.3 points per game, good for second in the league, the Cardinals have scored at least 25 in five of the last six games, including against the 49ers two weeks ago. The Cardinals allow 28.1 points per game. Games involving the Cardinals have hit the Over in six of 10 games. Take the OVER (+100) in this one.
Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Our weekly NFL underdog betting staple continues into Week 11, where Ken Pomponio features three teams likely to upset their underdog odds
[jwplayer JLUmLtYE]
NFL Week 10 was wild, a memorable week and a surprise-filled week which featured nine of 13 underdogs covering the mid-week lines.
We weren’t on either of the big underdogs (Atlanta Falcons +11.5 in New Orleans, Miami Dolphins +9.5 in Indianapolis) who not only covered but also won outright, but we did go 3-0 to snap a run of three straight 1-2 weekly finishes and up our season record to 18-12.
Now it’s back to board to find more underdog value, utilizing, as usual, Wednesday’s posted point spreads from BetMGM.com.
Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.
Dolphins (+6) vs. Buffalo Bills
Nov 10, 2019: Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Brian Spurlock – USA TODAY Sports
Don’t look now, but the Dolphins’ tanking mission is suddenly headed the wrong direction.
Behind the fearless play of veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and an energized, no-name defense, Miami is 2-0 in November and has covered in five straight outings after a brutal 0-4 against-the-spread start in which the Dolphins were outscored 163-26.
The Bills, meanwhile, have gone 2-2 after a 4-1 start, including a tighter-than-it-looks 31-21 home win over the Dolphins in Week 7.
Keep riding with Fitzpatrick and Co. here as the oddsmakers have been slow to adjust to the new-and-improved Dolphins. They’re playing hard for a first-year coach in Brian Flores, who clearly doesn’t include “tanking” among his best career interests.
Philadelphia Eagles (+3½) vs. New England Patriots
Feb 4, 2018: Eagles coach Doug Pederson (left) and Patriots coach Bill Belichick reunite Sunday. Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports
It hasn’t proven to be wise wagering against Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Co., who are 10-3 in their last 13 games ATS dating back to Week 17 of last season — and coming off the bye in this one.
But the host Eagles are coming off their bye, as well, and they are 4-2 after starting off 1-2.
Philly is sure to be fired up for the teams’ first meeting since Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, and while the Pats are sure to be focused coming off their first loss followed by the bye, we’ll take a solid team getting a field goal and the always-tempting half-point hook at home.
Arizona Cardinals (+11½) at San Francisco 49ers
Oct 31, 2019: Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray faces the 49ers again. Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
If it seems like we just saw this NFC West matchup, it’s because we did, two weeks ago in the desert as the visiting Niners prevailed in a much-tougher-than-expected 28-25 contest on Halloween.
In between, San Fran suffered its first loss, falling to the visiting Seattle Seahawks 27-24 in an overtime duel Monday night that arguably has been the best NFL game this season.
The 49ers also continue to battle the health bug with tight end George Kittle and receiver Emmanuel Sanders likely to be game-time decisions. And quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is battling some obvious shakiness after completing only 24 of 46 passes Monday for 248 yards, a touchdown and an interception, along with two lost fumbles.
Rookie QB Kyle Murray and the Cards, meanwhile, are 3-6-1 straight up but have been one of the league’s best ATS squads at 7-3, including five covers in their last six outings.
We were on Arizona last week in Tampa, and we’ll go with the Cards again here Sunday afternoon in San Fran where the home team is simply giving too many points.
Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
McLaurin is one of the NFL’s best targets beyond the sticks this season, and his reliability will help Dwayne Haskins down the road.
The Washington Redskins have shifted their focus to rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who will be making his second career start this Sunday against the New York Jets. However, don’t let that distract you from the highly-encouraging season that rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin has had through these first nine games.
Heading into Week 11, McLaurin ranks as the fourth-highest graded rookie in the 2019 draft class by Pro Football focus, beating out names like Kyler Murray, and Marquise Brown. He trails only Dexter Lawrence, Nick Bosa, and Josh Jacobs.
While reports are circulating as to whether or not Washington should go the Arizona Cardinals route and draft another quarterback in the first round in back-to-back drafts — whoever ends up as Washington’s quarterback of the future will at least have one of the top premier wide receivers in the NFL in Terry McLaurin. The former Ohio State Buckeye has been one of the most reliable and dangerous downfield threats, as he is tied for fifth in PFF grade on targets past the sticks. It’s safe to say McLaurin is a certified deep threat.
Whether or not Haskins finds success during the rest of his rookie season is yet to be seen, but it helps that his old college teammate is going to be there for him out on the numbers, as reliable an option as there is in the game.
Fantasy football starters, sleepers, sits ahead of Week 11.
It’s crunch time in fantasy football.
A little scouting and you can avoid a crucial late-season loss or do just enough to cross the finish line with a win this week. We’ve got you covered with a quick scouting report to help you out.
Here are five sleepers to start and five starters you’ve got to sit in fantasy football Week 11:
Starts
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
QB Sam Darnold
Since returning from mono, the Jets and Sam Darnold haven’t have the best go of things. But he’s fresh off a very solid game in their meeting with the Giants in Week 10. An upcoming meeting with the Redskins suggests that could continue. Washington allows the highest completion rate (72.5 percent) and seventh-highest touchdown rate (100.7) to opposing quarterbacks. Darnold also has thrown at least 30 passes in every game this year.
RB Melvin Gordon
The Chiefs are known for the offense and known for their shaky defense. That shaky level starts with their run defense, the second-worst ranked run defense in the NFL. That plus Melvin Gordon is kind of back? In his last two games, he’s combined for 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Good idea for the Chargers to get him the ball this week.
RB JD McKissic
Also a potential sleeper to find on the wavier wire, JD McKissic has plenty of value for the Lions this week. With Kerryon Johnson out, Ty Johnson was the No. 2 but struggled while No. 3, McKissic, did better. Now Ty Johnson is injured and form considered, McKissic is the starter against the Cowboys this week for Detroit. McKissic has more carries and features in the pass game even with Matt Stafford out. The Cowboys have struggled against opposing backs in the air in recent weeks as well.
Christian Kirk had a huge game. David Johnson struggled in his return.
The Arizona Cardinals had some solid performances from players on Sunday when they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27. Some players did not perform as well.
Who were the studs and duds in the game?
Stud: WR Christian Kirk
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk was huge. He had six receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns. It was the first time a player had three receiving touchdowns since Larry Fitzgerald did it in 2015. He had not had a touchdown all season. He doubled his career touchdown total. Based on his production in his seven games played so far this season, he is on pace for 75 catches and 867 yards. Not bad for a 13-game season.
