Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Arizona Cardinals could be without injured quarterback Carson Palmer when they attempt to end a two-game straight up and against the spread losing streak Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.

The Cardinals are coming off a pair of outright losses as favorites, opening at 1-3 SU for the first time since 2011 while going 2-5 SU and 1-6 ATS over their past seven contests.

Since a season-opening 28-0 rout of the Los Angeles Rams, the 49ers have sputtered. San Francisco has lost three straight, SU and ATS, and it is pegged as an underdog for its 11th-straight home contest.

Point spread: The Cardinals opened as 2.5-point favorites; the total was 43 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. Line updates and matchup report.

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 22.0-21.5 Cardinals (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Cardinals can cover the spread

Palmer is considered doubtful after suffering a concussion in last weekend's 17-13 loss to Los Angeles. However, the Cardinals can call on a familiar veteran to step in under center. Drew Stanton led Arizona to six wins in nine appearances while Palmer was sidelined in 2014, including a two-touchdown performance in a 23-14 win over the 49ers as a three-point underdog.

After tallying over 100 rushing yards in their past three outings the Cardinals may place greater emphasis on the ground game Thursday, exploiting a 49ers rush defense that has surrendered over 165 running yards per game over their past three games.

Why the 49ers can cover the spread

The 49ers failed to protect a 17-14 third-quarter lead in last week's loss to Dallas but showed positive signs, as pivot Blaine Gabbert effectively moved the ball early on, particularly on third down, for the first time since Week 1. Gabbert will again rely heavily on rusher Carlos Hyde, who has powered the 49ers to over 100 rushing yards in three of four games.

San Francisco must improve on weak possession numbers if they are to deny a hobbled Cardinals offense critical second chances. If Gabbert struggles early the call could go out to backup Colin Kaepernick, who is undefeated in three home starts against Arizona.

Smart pick

The loss of Palmer would be a blow to the struggling Cardinals, but after the veteran tossed five picks in the past two weeks a shake-up on offense may be what Arizona needs to improve to 4-1 SU and ATS in their past five against the 49ers.

San Francisco has been offensively challenged in its past two losses, averaging just 17.5 points per game, but it has played standout defense in recent home dates, holding opponents to 20 or fewer points in nine of 11 and going 4-2 ATS in its past six.

Look for Arizona to top the 49ers but fail to cover the small spread Thursday night.

Betting trends

The total has gone under in three of the Cardinals' last four games against the 49ers.

The 49ers are 15-6 SU and ATS in their last 21 games in October.

The Cardinals are 5-1 SU in their last six games after consecutive losses.

All NFL betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.