The Seattle Seahawks still have playoff aspirations entering the final week of the regular season. But they need a win over the Arizona Cardinals and a loss by the Green Bay Packers to the Chicago Bears to get into the dance.
So, expect a full effort from the Seahawks on Sunday. Here’s a breakdown of their matchup.
Seahawks vs. Cardinals Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Seahawks -3
- Moneyline: Seahawks (-148), Cardinals (+124)
- Over/Under: 48
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Stadium
- Channel: FOX
Seahawks vs. Cardinals Prediction
After posting back-to-back wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans by the same 20-17 score in Weeks 15 and 16, the Seahawks probably looked good in everyone’s eyes to make it to the postseason.
Then, playing at home against the offensively challenged Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle allowed 30 points to one of the league’s lowest-scoring teams. And now the Seahawks are in a position where they need a win and help to get into the postseason field.
On the surface, it would appear as if the Seahawks have the right opponent to achieve the first step in their plan, the Cardinals. Seattle has won four straight and five of six over the Cardinals and is looking to sweep Arizona for the second straight season.
But with Seattle’s defense struggling like it has this season, nothing is a given anymore. The Seahawks are 27th in total defense (365.4 yards per game allowed) and 30th in rush defense (134.1 yards per game allowed).
The Seahawks have allowed at least 130 rushing yards in six straight games, and last week, the Steelers rushed for 202 yards in Seattle’s house.
Why is this a big deal? Because rushing the ball has been one of the few positives for the Cardinals of late. They have rushed for 200 or more yards in two of their last three games and have three games with at least 200 yards rushing for the season, which is tied for the most such games in the NFL (Detroit Lions also with three).
Arizona running back James Conner is coming off a 129-yard rushing effort last week vs. the Eagles, a game that also saw Conner score twice on the ground and through the air.
Such a disappointing defense puts a lot of pressure on the Seahawks’ offense to execute. And because of Seattle’s offensive line issues — seven different offensive linemen have started six games this season — quarterback Geno Smith has been under a lot of pressure.
According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, last week vs. the Steelers, Smith was pressured on 54.1% of dropbacks. It’s the third such game Smith has been pressured on at least 50% of his dropbacks. Fortunately for the Seahawks, they are facing a Cardinals’ defense that ranks 29th in sacks this season (33).
The most notable injuries for the Seahawks entering this season finale are the loss to defensive end Mario Edwards (knee) and offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (knee), both of whom have been ruled out. In addition, nose tackle Jarran Reed (knee) is questionable).
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
For the Cardinals, offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (knee) is out, while offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson (illness) and wide receiver Zach Pascal (hamstring) are questionable.
Seattle is 3-1-1 vs. the spread over its last five games. But that one loss vs. the spread came last week in the straight-up loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seahawks are 3-0-1 vs. the spread in their last four road games.
If the line doesn’t move before game time, this would be just the fourth time the Cardinals, who have been underdog in every game this season, will be underdog by a field goal or less (they are 1-2 vs. the spread in those games). They are also 0-5 against the spread vs. the division.
Seattle needs this a lot more than Arizona does. And the Cardinals simply do not match up with their divisional opponents this season. So, I’m comfortable giving a field goal on the road.
Best Bet: Seahawks -3 (-102 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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