Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, 10/24/2010, 4:05 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Seattle -5
Current Betting Line: Seattle -6
Opening Total: 40.5
Current Total: 40
Current Moneyline: Seattle -275 / Arizona +235
Arizona enjoyed a bye week after picking up an impressive 30-20 win over the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints on October 20 and the organization was happy the week of rest came at this point of the season. Seven players who were nursing injuries returned to practice, including receivers Steve Breaston and Early Doucet, who should fill the No. 2 and No. 3 wideout roles respectively against the Seahawks. The Cardinals are ranked 31st in total offense and 30th in passing with many fans wishing they were watching former quarterback Kurt Warner on the field than tuning into ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. The team is 2-0 ATS after a bye week the last two years and 12-6 ATS in its last 18 games following a week of rest.
The Cardinals are also hoping the week of rest helped in the development of rookie quarterback Max Hall, who completed 17 of 27 passes for 168 yards against the Saints. “I think I’ve settled down,” Hall said. “I think the anxiety part’s over. Now I’m just really trying to get better every day, to be the quarterback of this team.” Arizona is likely to go with a conservative game plan in this contest due to Hall making his first start on the road. “You definitely have that you-against-the-world feeling when you go to Qwest Field,” said wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. “It’s the 11 men in the huddle and no one else in the building.” In his last six games against the Seahawks, Fitzgerald has 48 receptions for 620 yards and five touchdowns.
Seattle is focused on trying to open 3-0 at Qwest Field for the first time since 2005 and is coming off a road victory in Chicago. “Coming back home is a big deal to this team. We’ve loved the chances that we’ve had to play there so far,” said head coach Pete Carroll. “It’s important for us to keep some momentum.” It will prove even more crucial against a divisional foe that has won 12 of its last 14 games against NFC West opponents. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has the best chance in ending the Cardinals success against the division, winning 16 of his last 21 such opportunities. The team is 7-7 ATS versus NFC West foes over the last three years.
The Seahawks will try to gash a Cardinals’ defense that is allowing 140.8 yards per game on the ground, which is fourth-worst in the league. Seattle hopes that Hasselbeck’s 242-yard performance last week will help open the running lanes even more. “We’re growing,” said the veteran signal caller. “We’re building on everything that we’re doing. We’re finding out who we are.” On the other side of the ball, the defense is second in the NFL against the run, giving up an average of 70.4 rushing yards and a 2.9 per carry average.
Bettors will definitely note that the Cardinals are 11-3 ATS as an underdog and on an 8-1 ATS run in October. Seattle is 5-1 ATS in its last six home games, but is a dismal 3-13 ATS following a win.
