Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers: Managing Editor’s make their picks

The Arizona Cardinals take on the San Francisco 49ers... David Fucillo and I each made some predictions.

Fooch: The 49ers are a 2.5-point underdog, which marks one of their lowest spreads the 49ers have faced this season. The last time they were this close an underdog was when they traveled to face the Indianapolis Colts as a 2.5-point underdog. All that is to say, oddsmakers figure people are not really fans of either of these teams.

I think we see another close game, and just because I'm a big, fat homer, I'll say the 49ers spring the upset and get their first win of the season. If the 49ers are going to win this, it will be because of the defense and the run game. The 49ers defense will welcome back rookie linebacker Reuben Foster. He's one of the defense's most talented players, but he has not been able to stay healthy. He is their most athletic linebacker, and would be key to contain the short passing game. The 49ers will be without safety Jimmie Ward as well, and it sounds like Eric Reid will move back from linebacker to safety. He found success there alongside Jaquiski Tartt, and I think this will better suit the 49ers defense.

The offensive line is a mess with injuries, particularly Joe Staley, who is out with an eye injury. I am not holding my breath for a quality performance, but I'd like to hope they can get just enough done to spring an upset. If the 49ers win this game, I could see it being an ugly 19-17 type of victory. It's not going to be pretty.

Seth: There’s not much to say for the Cardinals. If they lose this game... The season is over, playoff wise, and we could be seeing the end the Bruce Arians, Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald.

While the Cardinals are without Carson Palmer and David Johnson, they should be better than the San Francisco 49ers behind C.J. Beathard.

Cardinals 20
49ers 10