Cardinals embark on Mexico City as ‘home’ underdogs vs. 49ers

Nov 17, 2022, 7:11 AM | Updated: 7:13 am

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the football after a reception against safety Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

It might be considered a home game for the Arizona Cardinals, but that doesn’t mean they enter their Week 11 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City as the favorites.

As of Thursday morning, Arizona is considered an 8.5-point underdog for the international tilt on Monday Night Football, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

But while the Cardinals’ money line on FanDuel sits at +290 with an over/under of 43.5 points, those numbers aren’t expected to stay the same over the next few days given the injuries surrounding key Arizona players, one being quarterback Kyler Murray.

Murray enters the week listed as day to day with a hamstring injury that sidelined the QB in the team’s 27-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams this past Sunday.

Backup Colt McCoy, who started in place of Murray in L.A., is another name to watch after suffering a knee injury in the win. If neither Murray or McCoy can go, it’ll be Trace McSorley manning signal-calling duties.

That’s not to mention the already brutal injury news that came down this week for the Cardinals, with starting tight end Zach Ertz reportedly expected to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury sustained in the first quarter against the Rams. Ertz paces Arizona’s pass catchers in receptions (47) and touchdowns (four).

However, there is a chance receiver Hollywood Brown rejoins his team. He was designated for return from a foot injury on Wednesday.

And despite the game being billed as a home contest for Arizona, early indications show it could very well be a red and gold takeover in the stands.

Then there are the 49ers, who hold a one-game lead over the Cardinals in the NFC West, currently hold an NFC Wild Card spot and are coming off back-to-back wins behind new running back Christian McCaffrey.