The Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers meet Sunday in NFL action from Levi’s Stadium. Arizona just finished up against the Cowboys. In that matchup the Cardinals powered out an upset victory. As for San Francisco, they took an 18-point win over the Giants last Thursday to move to 3-0 on the year so far. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals struggled over their first couple of games, but the team was at least competitive. First came a 20-16 loss to the Commanders in the opener, spurred by a 10-0 deficit in the fourth quarter. Game two was another loss, this time 31-28 to the Giants. Arizona was again outscored in the fourth quarter (17-0) in that one. 

Back on Sunday versus the Cowboys, Arizona held a 21-10 lead at the break and held on for a nice 28-16 upset win to give Dallas their first loss of the season. The Cards’ Joshua Dobbs put up 189 yards and a score. James Conner added 98 rush yards and another TD, while Michael Wilson caught two balls for 86 yards. 

Arizona Cardinals Team Facts

The Cardinals have lost each of their last six matches when playing with a rest disadvantage.
The underdogs have covered the spread in nine of the Cardinals’ last 10 Week 4 games.
The Cardinals have scored the first touchdown in each of their last eight Sunday games played on the West Coast.
The Cardinals have lost the first quarter in eight of their last nine Week 4 games.
The Cardinals have lost the first half in seven of their last eight games following a home win.

San Francisco 49ers 

Over on the 49ers’ side, they’re cruising along pretty well this year at 3-0. San Francisco’s first win came versus the Steelers 30-7 in the opener, thanks in part to 20 points before halftime. The 49ers had a much more competitive game versus the Rams in their second outing but still came out on top 30-23 with points in every quarter. 

Last Thursday in the matchup versus the Giants, the 49ers scored points in every quarter once again. San Francisco held a 13-6 advantage in the second half during a 30-12 victory. QB Brock Purdy bagged 310 yards with two touchdowns, and Christian McCaffrey added 18 carries for 85 yards and a TD. Deebo Samuel caught six balls for 129 yards and a score as well. 

San Francisco 49ers Team Facts

The 49ers have won each of their last 13 games played on the West Coast.
The 49ers have covered the spread in each of their last 12 home games against NFC opponents.
The 49ers have won the first half in nine of their last 10 games at Levi’s Stadium following a home win.
The 49ers have scored the first touchdown in six of their last seven games as favorites against NFC West opponents.
The 49ers have won the first quarter in each of their last seven games at Levi’s Stadium following a home win.

Matchup/League Facts

The 49ers ranked 1st in the NFL in points allowed per game (16.3) last season
The 49ers ranked 1st in the NFL in yards allowed per game (300.6) last season
The Cardinals ranked 31st in the NFL in points allowed per game (26.4) last season
The Cardinals ranked T26th in the NFL in turnover differential (-5) last season

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stick with San Francisco. The line’s generous enough to make a good case for the Cardinals, though. The 49ers have been in a few sticky spots so far this year and they’ve powered through all of them to a 3-0 record. San Francisco did a great job defensively versus the Giants in their last outing, holding New York to just 150 yards (121 passing), 10 first downs and 3-of-12 on third-down conversions. With a few extra days’ rest, the 49ers will come into this one strong and ready to go. 

As for Arizona, they did a great job in their last outing versus the Cowboys, riding 222 rush yards, zero turnovers and 7.5 yards per play to a well-deserved upset victory. Although I don’t think they’ll play badly, I like the Cardinals to come back to earth in a 49ers cover here.