Published Nov 13, 10:46am ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Nov 13, 10:46am ET
Grok AI
Updated Nov 13, 10:46am ET
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| Arizona Cardinals | +2.5 (+105) |
| San Francisco 49ers | -2.5 (-125) |
After Week 5, when the 49ers upset the Rams in Los Angeles, they were 4-1 and looked like a sure bet to return to the playoffs, perhaps even winning the tough NFC West. Since then, they have gone 2-3, falling to 3rd place in the division behind two Super Bowl contenders, the Rams and Seahawks.
Now, despite being in playoff position, they could easily drop from that status if they don't right the ship and do it fast.
This is the second straight season where injuries are sabotaging San Francisco's lofty hopes. QB Brock Purdy is still out with a toe injury. Again, the team is implying that he might play on Sunday.
Word to the wise: Believe it when you see it.
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is also said to be close to a return from a knee injury.
Brock Purdy 🤝 Ricky Pearsall 🔜 pic.twitter.com/JvyU1pjM3N
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) November 13, 2025
The Rams manhandled them last week with a 42-26 win. The 'Niners put up a fight, but had no answers for Matthew Stafford, who threw 4 TD passes.
Mac Jones has performed admirably in Purdy's absence and is likely to be playing himself into a starting opportunity elsewhere next season. He is not the problem. The 'Niners are simply too battered to stay in contention as currently constituted.
They lead the NFL in passing yards per game. Their overall team statistics are poor. They're -8 in takeaway differential, 31st in the NFL. Despite having Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson, they are 27th in rushing yards per game.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Brock Purdy, QB | INJURED |
| Ricky Pearsall, WR | INJURED |
| Alfred Collins, DT | INJURED |
| Dee Winters, LB | INJURED |
| Brandon Aiyuk, WR | INJURED |
| Fred Warner, LB | INJURED |
After their Week 9 win over the Cowboys, the Cardinals acted as if their offense had hit its stride with Jacoby Brissett under center instead of the injured Kyler Murray. The undertone was that Murray can just stay on the sideline with his sprained right foot. By now, it's clear that Murray and the Cardinals will part ways after the season.
The delusion was quickly punctured by the Seahawks in a 44-22 beating that wasn't as close as the score suggests. The journeyman Brissett is a solid backup in short spurts. He is not the answer at QB, particularly for a team that is flawed and battered with injuries.
Against Seattle, the Seahawks' DeMarcus Lawrence ran back not one, but two fumbles for TDs.
DeMarcus Lawrence does it again with his second fumble return touchdown of the game.
— Preme Football (@premefootball) November 9, 2025
How is this even possible?! pic.twitter.com/vaKdCY99Ej
The Cardinals are again mediocre in every aspect, just as they were in 2024 when they finished 8-9 under embattled head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Wide receivers Zay Jones and Marvin Harrison are out.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Kyler Murray, QB | INJURED |
| Jonah Williams, OT | INJURED |
| Will Hernandez, G | INJURED |
| Evan Brown, C | INJURED |
| BJ Ojulari, LB | INJURED |
| Walter Nolen III, DT | INJURED |
| Baron Browning, LB | INJURED |
| Will Johnson, CB | INJURED |
| Max Melton, CB | INJURED |
| Xavier Weaver, WR | INJURED |
| Mack Wilson Sr., LB | INJURED |
| Simi Fehoko, WR | INJURED |
| Bam Knight, RB | INJURED |
| Zay Jones, WR | INJURED |
| Marvin Harrison, WR | INJURED |
For the Week 11 49ers-Cardinals matchup, San Francisco must win this game if they have any realistic hopes of making a late-season run. Arizona is again an also-ran, with the overwhelming likelihood being that they will have a new head coach and be seeking a new long-term option at QB.
Desperation is a strong motivating factor, and the 'Niners should put up points against Arizona's defense. The key is not turning the ball over and riding McCaffrey.
The road favorite 49ers will cover the spread and live for another week in the NFC West while the Rams and Seahawks battle in LA.
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Pick
San Francisco 49ers -2.5
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