The Seattle Seahawks (+800 to win Super Bowl 54) have locked up a spot in the playoffs, but if they want to finish with the best record in the NFC and/or win the NFC West, they are going to need to continue winning. The Arizona Cardinals, meanwhile, will look to avenge an earlier loss to the Seahawks, while also damaging Russell Wilson and company’s hopes to win the division.
The Cardinals finally ended their winless spell ,as they scored an impressive 38-24 home win over the Cleveland Browns at home in Week 15. The Cardinals entered that game on a six-game losing skid, but played with so much determination unlike the Browns, who were visibly disinterested in several moments in the contest. That’s not to take anything away from the play of Kyler Murray and company, though. Murray completed 19 of 25 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown with an interception. But the night belongs to running back Kenyan Drake, who had an unforgettable night, especially for his fantasy owners, by having 137 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 22 carries. Seattle’s run defense was a bit soft of late, as they have allowed 128.3 rushing yards over their last three games, including their win over the Carolina Panthers last Sunday when they allowed 154 rushing yards. It’s possible that Drake won’t be able to follow up his performance in Week 15 with another, but the Cardinals will definitely try to establish their ground attack against Seattle’s questionable run defense.
The Cardinals, who had 115 rushing yards in their 27-10 home loss to the Seahawks back in Week 14, are 6-3-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
The Seahawks recovered quickly from their 28-12 road loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14 by taking down the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, 30-24. MVP candidate Russell Wilson was in his bag again, as he had 286 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception on 20-of-26 completions. Meanwhile, running back Chris Carson was a force on the ground, generating 133 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries . Carson was also a problem for the Cardinals in the two teams’ first meeting this season, as the Seahawks tailback moved the chains for 104 yards through the ground and 41 more via air. Arizona’s defense is porous enough to expect Wilson and Carson to take advantage of it. The Cardinals are 30th in the NFL with 28.4 points allowed per game. Wilson, however, will not have wide receiver Josh Gordon as his target downfield after the league has suspended yet again the former Pro Bowl wideout.
The Seahawks are 2-0 ATS in their last two home games.
