The final two games of consequence come Sunday, with the 49ers hosting the Chargers and the Bengals visiting the Cardinals. These are the NFL’s final major tune-ups.
Yes, every NFL club plays one more exhibition on Thursday, but all 16 games are shoehorned into one night. This is just a way for the NFL to give every team two exhibition contests at home. It is your season-ticket money at work for owners who don’t need more of it.
But enough about that. Let’s talk about Sunday’s games, which are actually quite interesting:
San Diego at San Francisco (-6, 41.5, 4 p.m. ET, FOX)
In two preseason games, the 49ers have been outscored 57-3, and they are on a two-game exhibition losing streak for the first time under coach Jim Harbaugh. Incredibly, the Niners have not scored since quarterback Colin Kaepernick led the club to a field goal on their first series of the preseason.
Kaepernick will likely play extended snaps for the only time all summer on Sunday, which could help the Niners snap out of the doldrums. Also, the 49ers are 2-1 in third preseason games in Harbaugh’s tenure.
Nevertheless, the 49ers haven’t exactly inspired much confidence in the exhibition season. Making matters worse, Levi’s Stadium has already had to be re-sodded because of footing concerns. All things considered, can the 49ers really be counted upon to deliver a strong performance?
The Chargers are a tricky read, too, with a blowout win vs. Dallas and a lopsided loss at Seattle on their summer ledger. Quarterback Philip Rivers figures to get double-digit passing attempts for the first time in the exhibition season. He draws a San Francisco defense that’s been horrible on third downs thus far, allowing 19-of-32 conversions in two games.
These teams annually meet in the preseason, and the 49ers have had the Chargers’ number in recent years, winning the last four exhibitions. However, the meetings usually occur in the final preseason game, not in the penultimate one. The teams haven’t met earlier than the final week of the exhibition slate since 2001.
According to multiple line-movement websites, the 49ers opened as six-point favorites throughout Nevada, and nothing has changed since.
The Linemakers’ lean: It looks like Jim Harbough, 8-4 ATS in the preseason coming into this season, couldn’t care less about these games anymore. Both teams look like they want to play slow, stay healthy, rely on the defense, and get the game over as quickly as possible. We’re siding with the UNDER.
Cincinnati at Arizona (-2.5, 43, 8 p.m. ET, NBC)
Those who have banked on the Bengals in next-to-last preseason games under Marvin Lewis are deep in the red. Since 2003, the Bengals are just 2-9 straight-up in these dress rehearsals.
While the Bengals are winless in the preseason, quarterback Andy Dalton has been sharp, completing 11-of-13 passes for 215 yards and one TD in limited action. Wideout A.J. Green (five catches, 131 yards) is also in good form.
The Cardinals (1-1 SU, 2-0 ATS in the preseason) have to be pleased with the play of their starting quarterback, too, with Carson Palmer off to a solid start (9-of-13, 175 yards, one TD). The Cards have been outstanding on third downs, moving the chains 18-of-32 times (56.3 percent).
Arizona is 5-1 against the number in exhibition play in Bruce Arians’ time as head coach, including a 2-0 mark in 2014. Cincinnati, for the record, is 23-22-2 ATS in preseason games under Lewis (51.1 percent). The Bengals, who have covered at least once in each of the last 11 preseasons, are 0-1-1 ATS in 2014.
The Cardinals opened as two-point favorites at the South Point, but the line has gone up a half-point, according to VegasInsider.com line movement records.
The Linemakers’ lean: Andy Dalton is the key. He’s looking good as the season approaches, but the quarterbacks that will follow aren’t impressive. The Cardinals on the other hand will trot out better backups once Carson Palmer exits for the night. Lay the points with the Cardinals here.
Live odds: Get up-to-date spreads and totals
Note: Lines cited are from the South Point in Las Vegas. Point spread history data is from Covers.com.
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