NFL Picks Week 8: Complete Guide to 49ers vs. Cardinals

Another Monday Night Football showcase, another bitter NFL divisional rivalry renewed. The final matchup of Week 8 and the month of October will pit two NFC West rivals, the 5-2 San Francisco 49ers and the 4-3 Arizona Cardinals. 

Both the division lead and bragging rights are on the line Monday night in Glendale, and therefore anything goes. 

Still, the Las Vegas oddsmakers have been hard at work all week preparing the perfect spread and over/under information for eager bettors. Without further ado, here's your complete guide to Monday night's 49ers vs. Cardinals matchup.

*Betting info according to Covers.com

Spread: San Francisco (-7.5)

The oddsmakers like the the Niners on the road on Monday night, and it's no surprise why. Arizona has lost three in a row and San Francisco is 2-1 away from Candlestick Park this fall.

If you ask me though, this spread is a little high. The two NFC West rivals split the regular season series a year ago, with each team winning at home. Plus the Cardinals have won three of four home games this season, their only loss at University of Phoenix Stadium coming in overtime to Buffalo.

To sum things up, I don't have an issue with the Niners being favored, but the Cardinals shouldn't be such overwhelming underdogs at home against a divisional foe. The spread should be San Francisco (-3.5).

Over/Under: 38.5

Both Arizona and San Francisco are driven by their strong defensive play, which leads me to believe that Monday night's game will feature no more than 30 points between the two overshadowed offenses. Divisional battles are always hard-fought, and this one will be no different.

An over/under of 38.5 is simply too high for this NFC West matchup. San Francisco is best when it's running the football with Frank Gore, but big plays and touchdowns usually come out of the passing game.

Meanwhile, Arizona's offense has struggled as of late, and should be kept largely under wraps against the Niners' physical defense. The Cards are averaging 11 points per game over their last three games.

Don't expect more than three touchdowns on Monday night. My over/under pick: 30.

Game Pick

The Arizona Cardinals are reeling after having lost three straight games, but that doesn't mean you should sleep on them at home on Monday night. Arizona beat San Francisco 21-19 in the teams' most recent meeting last December in the desert. 

Jim Harbaugh's offense has been underwhelming over the past two weeks, scoring just 16 combined points against the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks. Still, I expect the Niners to put together enough successful drives to overcome the banged-up Cards in Week 8.

I'll take the 49ers to win a nail-biter.

49ers 17, Cardinals 13

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