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Quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Coach Jim Harbaugh head into Sunday's game against the Cardinals a huge favorite after coming off a 42-13 loss to the Seahawks. (Stephen Brashear / Getty Images / December 23, 2012) |
The San Francisco 49ers are favored by 16-1/2 points to beat Arizona on Sunday in a game that likely will decide the NFC West champion.
If the 49ers win -– or if Seattle loses to St. Louis -– San Francisco will win its second consecutive division crown and play host to a playoff game.
According to odds expert R.J. Bell of Pregame.com, the 49ers have not been that big of a favorite since 1998, and the Cardinals have not been that much of an underdog since 1978.
Other observations by Bell on Week 17 games:
-- Cincinnati is favored over Baltimore for the first time since 1998.
-- Denver is favored by 16 over Kansas City, the biggest favorite the Broncos have ever been.
-- In the last 27 times his team has been a home favorite, Washington’s Mike Shanahan is 5-22 against the spread. That said, Shanahan has never lost against the spread when facing a Dallas Cowboys team coached by Jason Garrett.
-- Pittsburgh Coach Mike Tomlin has never lost when taking the field with a losing record.
-- Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson needs to run for at least 208 yards against Green Bay to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards. Las Vegas says there’s an 18% chance of that happening.
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