NFL Prediction - Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals both enter this game at 6-3. However, the teams are on very different paths, as the Seahawks were 5-0 at one point before losing to these same Cardinals down in the desert, falling in overtime. Since then, they have beaten the 49ers and lost to Buffalo and the Rams. Arizona has won four of five, routing the Jets and Cowboys, beating Seattle, losing a head-scratcher to Miami but then using a Hail Mary to beat Buffalo at the final horn on Sunday. The Cardinals lead the NFC West and have all the momentum for this prime-time matchup. Jazz Sports offers a generous welcome bonus (max bonus $1000)
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (November 19, 2020)
When: Thursday, November 19, 2020, 8:20 pm ET
Where: Century Link Field, Seattle
TV: FOX / NFL Network
Radio: Westwood One
JAZZ Sports Odds: Seahawks -3 / Total 57.5*
Why the Cardinals Will Win
The Cardinals have been fearless on the road, winning three of their last foru away from Glendale. Kyler Murray has at least two touchdown passes in five of the last seven games, with a 17:8 TD:INT ratio on the season. DeAndre Hopkins, who caught the miraculous ball to beat Buffalo, has combined with Christian Kirk for ten touchdown receptions and almost 1,300 receiving yards. On the ground, the Cardinals run for almost 170 yards per game, thanks to the work of tailback Kenyan Drake and Murray’s preternatural speed.
The Arizona defense has been serviceable, permitting 23.3 points per game. Jordan Hicks leads the team with 74 tackles, and Patrick Peterson has three picks (although that number could be five if he had not dropped two against the Bills). If the Cards can regain their focus after a raucous postgame celebration on Sunday, they have a real chance to take control of this division.
Why the Seahawks Will Win
Seattle is unbeaten at home this season and has gone 6-2 in their last eight games at CenturyLink Field. Russell Wilson has a 28:10 TD:INT ratio, but seven of those interceptions have come in his last four games. So while Wilson is still throwing touchdown passes, he’s also giving up way too much in terms of ball security. One problem for Wilson is that he is also the team’s leading rusher, with 325 yards. The Seahawks need to develop an independent ground game to take some of the heat off the quarterback.
On defense, the Seahawks are dead last against the pass, and they permit 29.6 per game – as well as 448.3 yards per contest. Bobby Wagner, is the team leader with 87 tackles; if one of your secondary players is your leading tacklers, that means you’re giving up way too many plays through the first two levels. Jamal Adams leads the team with 5 ½ sacks, but he will have his hands full with a speedy Murray at quarterback. Last week, Seattle had two picks out of Wilson, and he didn’t even complete 60 percent of his passes. If you like Seattle, you see Pete Carroll motivating his squad to bounce back at home. The fact that this game is in prime time helps the Seattle cause as well, as the team is 18-3 in night games since Russell Wilson was drafted.
The Final Word
I like what Seattle did for much of the first half of the season, but the reality of what happens to NFL teams that don’t play defense is coming true for them, as teams have caught up to the Seahawks’ offensive scheme. Arizona also has some defensive issues, but they have a stout secondary and a hungry pass rush. Right now, the Cardinals just look more motivated on the field. I like the Cardinals to win this game and make the Seahawks start scrambling for a wild card.
*Odds are subject to change.
