Arizona Cardinals (7-8 SU, 5-9-1 ATS) vs. Seattle Seahawks (9-6 SU, 6-8-1 ATS)
Week 17 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 4:25PM EST
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: Fox
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: ARI +9/SEA -9
Over/Under Total: 39
The Arizona Cardinals face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in NFC West action from CenturyLink Field. The Cardinals scored a 23-0 win over the Giants on Sunday and can get to .500 this week with a win. That would be a morale-boost for a team that hasn't caught a lot of breaks this season. For the still-alive Seahawks, they need a win this week and held up their end of the deal on Sunday with a 21-12 road-win over the Cowboys. These teams met in Arizona in week 10, with the Seahawks posting a 22-16 win over the Cardinals. The Seahawks look for something similar this week.
Seattle can get in the playoffs with a win this week and a loss by the Falcons to the Panthers. It's tough that they could go 10-6 and still be shut out of the playoffs, but that's the situation they face in a crowded NFC playoff picture. Seattle is still a handful in the right spots. It's just that those spots have come less-frequently this season than is usually the case. After the Cowboys took a lead into the second-half on Sunday, it looked like it would be an uphill battle, but they dominated the second-half on both sides of the ball en route to a needed road-win.
Seattle managed the big win on Sunday despite just 136 total yards on offense. The defense gave them a big assist with a pick-six and some solid play in the second half. Russell Wilson was under 100 yards passing, but managed 2 touchdowns, connecting with Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham on scores. The run-game again didn't really create much production, as has been the case for much of the season. There is a lot of inconsistency on this side of the ball this season. But for the most part, it's a group that doesn't get the most of what they have. Against a Cowboys' defense, to manage 136 yards on offense doesn't suggest good things. Wilson has thrown for 32 touchdowns this season and there have been bright spots, but good luck trying to figure when they will show up.
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The Seattle defense has been up against it this season. The affects of age, injury, and inconsistency have plagued the "D" in 2017. Still, with Frank Clark, Michael Bennett, KJ Wright, Bobby Wagner, Earl Thomas, and others, there is enough venom remaining on this side of the ball that they can still deliver on occasion. And the second half against the Cowboys was one of those occasions. Dion Jordan, Bennett, and Clark registered sacks on Sunday, as did Shaquill Griffin. KJ Wright picked off a pass, with corner Justin Coleman returning a Prescott pass for a TD.
This is not an easy spot for the Seahawks. The Cardinals have remained steadfast this season and even a 7-8 mark is an accomplishment for all they've overcome from a personnel standpoint. This spot seems to be an easy one for the Seahawks on the surface, but their inconsistency is pronounced. They're not bankable. They're a team on the decline. Before beating the Cowboys, they had lost two in a row, including a 42-7 loss to the Rams at home, in what were also extra-urgent matchups. They've lost three out of their last 4 at home, with their only win in that stretch against the Eagles, showing how they've been all over the place this season.
Again, the Cardinals are not to be taken lightly with how they are on the verge of a .500 season, despite a crippling amount of different things that would render most teams completely impotent. At running back and quarterback, they have gone at least three-deep this season. As of now, it's QB Drew Stanton, who threw two touchdowns on Sunday, hitting John Brown and Larry Fitzgerald with TD strikes. At running back, they're working with Kerwynn Williams and Elijhaa Perry, who saw his first action on Sunday. There aren't a lot of teams that can win games when Larry Fitzgerald is your only recognizable consistent contributor. But that's what the Cardinals are doing.
In giving up a total of 27 points in their last three games, the Cardinals defense has been able to stay strong most of the season. Despite being hung out to dry at times by the offense, they've done some good things this season. They defend against the run really well. And we've seen better play from their pass-defense, with stars Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson playing better, with rookie Budda Baker making a lot of plays. S Antoine Bethea now has five picks. They got a fumble return for a TD from Robert Nkemdiche, as they have worked hard to turn him into somebody. Chandler Jones, meanwhile, leads the league with 15 sacks. They're playing pretty well lately and with a Seahawks offense that is hardly bankable, that's something to think about heading into this week.
Sure, one could justify a stance where the Seahawks pound the Cardinals this week. They're at home, with a chance to get into the playoffs. The Cardinals are playing for pride. That gap in urgency can certainly resonate. Still, there's a reason the Seahawks face a problematic path to the postseason and it's not because they often fulfill the best-case scenario from week-to-week. I see the Cardinals giving the Seahawks a little sweat and covering the spread.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the Arizona Cardinals plus 9 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today and bet the Cardinals vs. Seahawks game by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 50% sign-up bonus!
