Monday Night Football Free Pick

You’ve got to feel for a guy like Larry Fitzgerald.

The Arizona Cardinals receiver is among the best in the business but has had his productivity snuffed by his team’s shortcomings – notably at the quarterback position.

The lack of a passing game is a big reason why oddsmakers have set the Cardinals as 1.5-point home underdogs against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. [ Matchup Report ]

Fitzgerald, who has averaged over 1,257 yards receiving over the last five seasons, has caught 55 balls for 691 yards and five touchdowns, struggling to put up his familiar numbers with scrub passer Derek Anderson under center.

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Fitzgerald has been busier in recent weeks, catching 20 passes for a total of 288 yards and one touchdown over the past three games, but that hasn’t stopped rumors that the talented wideout is souring on his current situation.

Word is that Fitzgerald could be looking for a ticket out of the desert if things don’t improve soon. The always-humble Pro Bowler has denied any grumblings, but told reporters that this Monday’s divisional matchup is “make or-break”. For the team? For him? Who knows?

But while Fitzgerald has been able to bite his tongue, Arizona running back Beanie Wells has not.

On a radio show earlier this week, the oft-injured Ohio State product blasted the Cardinals’ playcalling and said the team’s reluctance to run the football, “makes us look like we're uncapable running backs because we don't run the ball and we don't get the ball”.

With issues in both the passing and running games, as well as cracks in the foundation, there appears to be a nasty storm brewing in Glendale. And a loss to the Niners this Monday could be the push to start the Cardinals’ downfall.

Both teams are 3-7 SU in the NFL’s worst division, so sniffing out an edge in this game could be as hard as finding someone that actually wants to watch it.

But, when betting on two bad teams, you should always take the one that is still playing for this season. And it appears some of Arizona’s top skill players may have their own agenda on Monday night.

Pick: San Francisco -1 | Best 49ers line as of Monday morning was at +1.5, -108 at 5Dimes.com