Seattle @ Arizona
This line opened at -7 and understandably so. If you consider average scoring for both teams, Seattle comes in at 3 TD’s and 2 FG’s. Arizona comes in at 2 TD’s and 2 FG’s. So, we have a final score of Seattle 27, Arizona 20 but the books must have this capped this at Seattle 20, Arizona 13 (Total opened at 40). But as we know, these inter-divisional games are often difficult to predict, which is exactly what we have in this circumstance where Seattle is on the road in a short week.
The key to capping a match like this lies in your ability to predict what the favorite will actually score. Russell Wilson is very good at not making mistakes; however, he is also very good at not getting the ball down the field. He passes for around 200 yards per game and relies mostly on the run and his wildcat tendencies to get the job done. Problem is, Arizona has one of the best run-d’s in the league having only allowed 544 yards this season. Wilson will need to get his passing game together, but we know this is not going to happen. Seattle uses a short, high percentage west-coast offensive strategy that will make it difficult for them to be a scoring machine in this spot.
Although Seattle has an unfortunate road performance history, because of Arizona’s D, and this being an inter-divisional game, a realistic score for Seattle is 20 or 23. I believe pushing Seattle to a 3rd TD here is just a bit too tall of an order. Arizona is underestimated and will score more than 14 points at home in this spot. I’m usually a bit skeptical of taking dogs directly outside of key numbers, but Arizona should be able to keep this one close.
Arizona +6.5
This line opened at -7 and understandably so. If you consider average scoring for both teams, Seattle comes in at 3 TD’s and 2 FG’s. Arizona comes in at 2 TD’s and 2 FG’s. So, we have a final score of Seattle 27, Arizona 20 but the books must have this capped this at Seattle 20, Arizona 13 (Total opened at 40). But as we know, these inter-divisional games are often difficult to predict, which is exactly what we have in this circumstance where Seattle is on the road in a short week.
The key to capping a match like this lies in your ability to predict what the favorite will actually score. Russell Wilson is very good at not making mistakes; however, he is also very good at not getting the ball down the field. He passes for around 200 yards per game and relies mostly on the run and his wildcat tendencies to get the job done. Problem is, Arizona has one of the best run-d’s in the league having only allowed 544 yards this season. Wilson will need to get his passing game together, but we know this is not going to happen. Seattle uses a short, high percentage west-coast offensive strategy that will make it difficult for them to be a scoring machine in this spot.
Although Seattle has an unfortunate road performance history, because of Arizona’s D, and this being an inter-divisional game, a realistic score for Seattle is 20 or 23. I believe pushing Seattle to a 3rd TD here is just a bit too tall of an order. Arizona is underestimated and will score more than 14 points at home in this spot. I’m usually a bit skeptical of taking dogs directly outside of key numbers, but Arizona should be able to keep this one close.
Arizona +6.5
....If Cards play like they always do at home and stop the run, then a late winning field goal will give sea the win and cards cover the spread. 21-24..........................SEA -5.5
cash that ticket