This week’s game between the Seattle Seahawks (10-4) and the Arizona Cardinals (11-3) has the makings of an exciting matchup with playoff ramifications. The NFL’s third-leading rusher, Marshawn Lynch (1,133 yards, 10 TDs) will play an integral role in the outcome of this contest. It will begin Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on NBC.
The Cardinals and Seahawks last met in Week 12. Arizona lost to Seattle 19-3. Calais Campbell led the way for the Cardinals defense in that game, totaling six tackles and three sacks. Kam Chancellor led the Seattle defense, registering eight tackles.
Seattle is a clear seven-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 39 points. Sitting at 11-3 Straight Up (SU) and 10-4 Against The Spread (ATS), the Cardinals will look to improve as they head into Week 16. In their five most recent matchups, the Cardinals went 3-2 both SU and ATS. Scoring against the Cardinals has been harder than usual as of late. While they’ve given up an average of 17.4 points for the season, they have stepped it up in the last five games, only allowing 14. Leading the league in penalties with 8.4 per game, Seattle may give the Cardinals every opportunity to win the game this week.
Across the field, the Seahawks have a record of 8-6 ATS and 10-4 SU. In the previous five games, Seattle has a record of 4-1 both SU and ATS. Seattle’s running backs and offensive lineman must be licking their chops this week as they look to keep their rushing attack rolling. Over the past five games, they’ve managed an impressive 165.0 rushing yards per game. Seattle’s defense is one of the best, allowing just 17.3 points per game. Seattle’s fifth-ranked run defense has given its competition fits. Opponents have only run for 88.1 yards per game against this horrifying bunch.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, ATS Winner – SEA, O/U – Under
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games.
Seattle is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games.
Arizona is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games.
Seattle is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games on the road.
Arizona is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games on the road.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona’s last 7 games at home.
Seattle is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Arizona.
Arizona is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Seattle.
Seattle is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Arizona.
Arizona is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Seattle.
Seattle is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Arizona.
Arizona is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Seattle.
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Seattle’s last 10 games when playing on the road against Arizona.
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Arizona’s last 10 games when playing at home against Seattle.
Each team is 7-0 SU when leading after two quarters this season.
Seattle is 8-1 SU when leading at the start of the fourth quarter this season. Arizona is 7-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
Arizona is undefeated 7-1 SU in games where it wins the turnover battle, and 4-2 SU in games where it loses the turnover battle.
The Arizona defense is averaging 3.8 sacks over its last five games, but Seattle is 5-1 SU this season when allowing at least 3 sacks in a game.
Arizona has drawn an average of 8.0 penalties on opponents over its last five games, but Seattle is a perfect 3-0 SU this season when penalized at least 8 times in a game.
Dating back to last year, Seattle is 7-3 SU against NFC West opponents, while Arizona is an even 5-5 SU against division foes.
The Arizona passing attack is ranked only 15th in the league, while the Seattle pass defense is ranked first. The Seahawks’ passing game is ranked just 31st, compared to the 30th-ranked pass defense of the Cardinals.
Seattle is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its first-ranked rushing attack will face the sixth-ranked run defense of Arizona, while its fifth-ranked rush defense will look to contain the 28th-ranked run game of the Cardinals.
