Cardinals vs. 49ers: NFC West Division Rivals Square Off in the Bay Area

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, 11/20/11, 4:05 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: San Francisco -10
Current Betting Line: San Francisco -10
Opening Total: 42
Current Total: 40.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

san francisco 49ers football frank gore — San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore will look to get back on track after failing to rush for 100 yards last week

Arizona sits five games behind the San Francisco 49ers through 10 weeks of the season and will definitely need to capture Sunday’s contest in keeping any hopes alive of winning the NFC West division. The Cardinals will also be looking to snap a four-game losing streak in this series, including a 38-7 loss as six-point road underdogs the last time they played in Candlestick. “My first year, I remember people saying they didn’t like the 49ers,” commented Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell. “That was just the way I came into it.” Arizona is 5-4 ATS this year and the ‘under’ is 5-4 in those contests.

The Cardinals are certainly going to have a tough time scoring points in this matchup, as running back Beanie Wells has slumped to averaging 53.4 rushing yards over the last five games. Arizona will also be led by backup quarterback John Skelton, who has led the franchise to two consecutive wins since taking over for the injured Kevin Kolb. On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals rush defense must play its best game of the season, coming in allowing 123.1 yards per game. That simply won’t cut it against a rushing attack that averages 130.9 yards a contest.

San Francisco continues to roll along and has only one blemish on its resume, dropping a 27-24 overtime decision as three-point home underdogs to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. The 49ers are coming off a 27-20 win over the NFC East-leading New York Giants despite being out-gained by 90 yards as four-point home favorites, but the victory demonstrated to the locker room that the team can play with anybody in the league. San Francisco is 8-0-1 ATS on the season and the ‘over’ is 5-4 in those contests.

The 49ers are expected to have star running back Frank Gore in the backfield, returning to practice Thursday. He was limited in last week’s affair, which actually snapped a five-game streak of rushing for 100 or more yards. San Francisco’s defense continues to play at a very high level, surrendering just 73.2 rushing yards per game, while allowing the fewest points in the NFL. Forcing turnovers has also been a major part of the team’s success, leading the league in creating 21 opponent miscues.