Cardinals Seahawks Betting – Cardinals Soar Against Lowly Seahawks
Online betting odds for the NFC West opened up as a close race as all four teams appeared to have a shot at the title, but two weeks into the season, last year’s defending champions from Seattle can’t seem to do anything right as they prepare to welcome Arizona to town. After getting beat down in Pittsburgh, the Seahawks will put up a good fight at home, but the Cardinals will put Seattle in a deeper hole.
What: NFL Betting
When: Sunday, September 25th, 4:15 PM ET
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Pick: Arizona Cardinals -3
Why Bet On Arizona Cardinals (1-1 SU, 2-0 ATS)
The Cardinals did a lot of good things in a 22-21 loss in Washington, as Kevin Kolb was 17-of-30 for 251 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, while “Beanie” Wells ran for 93 yards and a score. Larry Fitzgerald caught seven passes for 133 yards, including a 73-yard score in the fourth quarter, and that is encouraging after signing a $120 million deal in the offseason. Defensively, the Cardinals forced a pair of turnovers, led by eight tackles and a sack from safety Kerry Rhodes. Rookie corner Patrick Peterson also had eight tackles as the Redskins picked on the first-round selection, and he had 30 yards on a pair of punt returns as well.
But it wasn’t all good for the Cardinals, who lost an eight-point lead in the last five minutes of the game, and that isn’t the way to move up in the NFL betting ranks. Arizona held the ball for just 21:30 and they committed 10 penalties, giving the Redskins five first downs, which wore down the defense at the end of the game. The Cardinals also committed two turnovers of their own, which cancelled out the two turnovers they forced, and they can’t afford to make many mistakes, especially in a tight NFC West.
Why Bet On Seattle Seahawks (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS)
The signs were lined up for Seattle to get pummeled, which they did in a 24-0 shutout loss in Pittsburgh; the Steelers had gotten destroyed on the road against a division rival (Baltimore) in Week 1, and they were returning home to face a Seattle team that, quite frankly, isn’t very good. Tarvaris Jackson was 20-of-20 for 159 yards, and he had to go to the air because the Seahawks averaged 2.4 yards on the ground and running on the Steelers has long been one of the toughest things for any NFL offense to do. The Seahawks had the ball for 21:16, so they didn’t have much to work with, but they were 2-of-12 on third down and barely made it into Pittsburgh’s half of the field.
Good luck trying to find a silver lining for the Seahawks, who looked completely overmatched, but they have a better chance against the Cardinals, who are closer to their level of talent. But Seattle will be going into this game without receiver Sidney Rice, who has a torn labrum and has yet to take to the field in 2011. Jackson needs something to spark the passing game, and Rice’s ability to stretch the field would help in a lot of aspects, including opening up the running game, because Marshawn Lynch is a better back than he has shown this year. The Seahawks also have a solid weapon at tight end in Zach Miller, who has just three catches this year, but he’s getting covered tightly and besides, only Chicago has given up more sacks so far.
How It Will Play Out
Arizona is a 3-point NFL betting favorite on the road in Seattle, where they are 2-3 SU and ATS in their last five trips, with four games going under the posted total. Each win is important in the NFC West, which was won by a seven-win Seattle team last year. It was the first time in the history of the NFL that a team below .500 reached the postseason, and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if it happened again this season.
Arizona should come away with the win here, while covering the spread, because we’re not sure Seattle can run the ball against anyone….or pass, for that matter. They don’t go down the field, which tightens everything up underneath, and the Cardinals have a decent pass rush. Offensively, the Cardinals are balanced and should be able to do whatever they want against the Seahawks, who will play better at home, but they’ll fall short. Make the Arizona Cardinals your sports betting choice this week.
Cardinals Seahawks Betting Pick: Arizona Cardinals -3
