Charlie Cummings breaks down his prediction and pick for Sunday’s Week 11 clash between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers.

NFC West battles always bring bad blood and lots of talent. This showdown between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers is a matchup between two teams trying to avoid derailment due to injury. A Cardinals loss puts them behind the eight ball when it comes to their playoff hopes, and a Niners loss significantly damages their hopes of winning the division. There’s a lot on the line here.

The 49ers enter as three-point road favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the Cardinals are listed as +150 underdogs. The game’s total is set at 48.5 points. Here is my preview, pick and prediction for Sunday’s Week 11 matchup between the Cardinals and 49ers.

Cardinals vs. 49ers Preview

The first time these two teams played, we had a starting quarterback facing off against a backup. Kyler Murray took the field for the Cardinals, while Mac Jones stepped in for an injured Brock Purdy. It was Jones who delivered the game-winning drive in a 16-15 victory.

Now their fortunes have reversed. Purdy is set to make his first start since Week 4 against the Jaguars, while Murray will miss his fifth straight start. Jacoby Brissett steps in once again, trying to save a season that is rapidly circling the drain.

Both quarterbacks will face defenses in decline. Arizona has given up 27+ points in three of its last four weeks; great special teams cannot mask the subpar defensive unit forever. Meanwhile, San Francisco is hemorrhaging defensive starters due to injury. It lost Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and promising rookie Mykel Williams to season-ending leg injuries. Their absence was on display last Sunday, when the Rams and MVP favorite Matthew Stafford picked them apart to the tune of 42 points.

Neither offense has been spectacular. This game will come down to the defensive units; even a middling offense can go right through a bad defense. Whichever team can get playmaking and consistency from their D will win the day.

Cardinals vs. 49ers Prediction, Pick

I don’t have much confidence in the 49ers stopping anybody right now. Their strength was up the middle, not on the boundaries, and now that strength is gone. Conversely, with Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall back in the fold, the Niners are suddenly a tough matchup for the Cardinals. This one should come down to the wire, but there will be a lot of points regardless.

Best Bet: Over 48.5 Total Points -108