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Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks Week 16 Betting Predictions & Preview

Cardinals vs Seahawks NFL Betting?

Cardinals Look to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive – Visit Seattle in Week 16

The Arizona Cardinals have thrust themselves back into the NFC playoff picture with their recent 6-1 stretch but face the unenviable task of travelling to the Pacific Northwest this week to keep the dream alive.

Arizona (9-5) at Seattle (12-2)
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, December 22, 2013
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Broadcast: FOX
Cards vs. Hawks Betting Lines
Arizona Cardinals +10½ -110 +450 Ov 43½ -110
Seattle Seahawks -10½ -110 -565 Un 43½ -110
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Seattle has been virtually untouchable at home – they haven’t lost on home turf since Christmas Eve 2011! Vegas has made Seattle a 10 1/2 point favorite and rightfully so – the Hawks have obliterated most of their opposition at CenturyLink this year including decisive wins over San Francisco and New Orleans.

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The Arizona Cardinals have surprised almost everyone with their recent play – they are knocking on the door of a playoff position and have been solid in absolutely every aspect of the game as of late. Despite the uptick in their play down the stretch, Arizona knows that they will need to win out in order to qualify for the post season.

Coach Bruce Arians and QB Carson Palmer have transformed this team – a culture of winning is evident on the sidelines and no longer is there worry about which of the “C-level” QBs would be throwing the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz continues to get it done with 73 catches and 10 touchdowns but he will likely have to deal with Richard Sherman – the best shut-down corner in the game right now.

That leaves Malcolm Floyd, Rob Housler and Rashard Mendenhall to be relevant in this game – all are banged up like Fitzgerald (concussion) and Palmer (sprained ankle) but each have been effective at various times this year.

Palmer was sacked seven times and intercepted twice in the teams’ Wee 7 matchup but Palmer has been near the top of the league in terms of passer rating since that time. A 106 passer rating is impressive but will he will certainly be tested against a Seattle D that gave up just 181 yards last week and picked off Eli Manning five times. To boot, Seattle has shut down Larry Fitzgerald in the last meeting – just seven combined catches for 82 yards and 0 TDs.

The Seattle Seahawks will have a battle on their hands this week – especially with Arizona’s defense coming in as one of the top units in the NFL. But Russell Wilson has yet to lose at home and the Cards are coming off a game in which they gave up 394 yards passing – against Tennessee. At home Wilson has a 119.2 passer rating with 29 TDs compared to six interceptions.

The Cardinals come to Seattle with the league’s best run defense – just 83.2 yards per game allowed on the ground. But Seattle’s bread and butter have been and will continue to be the run game – Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson have combined to total close to 1,600 yards. Marshawn Lynch ran 21 times for 91 yards and a touchdown in the teams’ meeting. Arizona has limited opponents to an average of 69.4 rushing yards per game and two scores in seven games since.
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Seattle’s defense, despite injuries and a rash of suspensions is coming off arguably their best all-around effort of the season in their dismantling of the Giants – a shutout in New Jersey. Richard Sherman leads the league in interceptions, Walter Thurmond will be back and the play of Byron Maxwell in relief has been sensational. Seattle’s defensive line is insane, their linebackers are amongst the best all around in the league and safety Earl Thomas could be the defensive MVP of this club.

Seattle’s defense is peaking at just the right time – not a good sign for the Cardinals this weekend.

NFL Football Betting Prediction

A few trends to consider:
• Under is 7-2 in ARI last 9 vs. NFC.
• Over is 7-2 in ARI last 9 games in Week 16.
• ARI are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. NFC.
• SEA are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games in December.
• SEA are 16-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• SEA are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. NFC West.
• Over is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings.

The last time the Cards paid visit to Seattle they were absolutely manhandled to the tune of 58-0! While I don’t expect that type of beat down to happen again, I do think that this will be yet another easy home win for the Hawks. No team has had an answer for the Seattle crowd and not team has been able to figure out the Seattle defense. It won’t start Sunday.

Pick: Seattle Seahawks -10 1/2

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.