Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, December 9, 2012, 4:25 pm Eastern, TV: Fox, NFL Sunday Ticket
CenturyLink Field – Seattle, Washington
Opening Line: Seattle -10
Current Line: Seattle -10
Opening Total: 35
Current Total: 36
Opening Money Line: Seahawks -550 / Cardinals +450
Current Money Line: Seahawks -500 / Cardinals +400
The Arizona Cardinals, coached by Ken Whisenhunt, started off the season 4-0, including a 20-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks at home to open the season. That was in September. Since the calendar turned to October though, the Cardinals have lost 8 straight games including 7-6 at the New York Jets last week.
Since that loss to the Cardinals, the Seahawks have improved to 7-5. The Seahawks currently hold the last wild card spot in the NFC playoffs, but only lead by a game over a group of four 6-6 teams. The Seahawks are also a game and a half behind the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.
The Cardinals are 5-6-1 ATS this season and the total is 3-9 this season. The Seahawks are 8-4 ATS and the total is 5-7 this season. Seattle has covered all 5 games at home this season.
Arizona has won two straight games against Seattle, but hasn’t won in Seattle since 2009. Since 2001, Seattle holds a narrow 11-10 advantage in the series.
The Cardinals are averaging 279.3 yards per game on offense, including 197.6 passing yards and 81.8 rushing yards. Arizona is being outscored 20-16 this season. The Cardinals are 27th or worse in all offensive categories, including last in total and scoring offense. The Cardinals are +7 in turnovers. Arizona has forced 33 sacks and has allowed 48 this season. The Cardinals are 54/197 on third and fourth down conversions. On defense, Arizona is allowing 324.7 yards per game, including 196.1 passing yards and 128.6 rushing yards. The Cardinals are #3 in pass defense, and #24 in rush defense. Arizona is #7 in total defense and points allowed.
The Cardinals have used 3 quarterbacks this season, but none have really been effective. Kevin Kolb has completed 59.6% of his passes for 1,169 yards with 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, along with 16 carries, 100 yards and a touchdown. He has been sacked 27 times this season. He is doubtful with broken ribs after missing several games. John Skelton has completed 54.7% of his passes for 1,058 yards with 2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He has been sacked 14 times this season. Skelton will start Sunday against Arizona. Rookie Ryan Lindley has completed 48.5% of his passes for 448 yards, with no touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He has been sacked 7 times this season.
Running back LaRod Stephens-Howling has 92 carries, 313 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 14 catches for 104 yards. Beanie Wells has 61 carries, 146 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is probable with a knee injury. William Powell will also get some carries. Ryan Williams is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald has 56 catches, 650 yards and 4 touchdowns. Andre Roberts has 50 catches, 639 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is questionable with an ankle injury. Rob Housler has 36 catches and 368 yards. Michael Floyd and Early Doucet each have 26 catches.
Seattle is averaging 328.6 yards per game on offense, including 187.2 passing and 141.3 rushing yards. The Seahawks are #30 in passing and #7 in rushing. Seattle is outscoring teams 20-17 this season. The Seahawks are +1 in turnovers this season. The Seahawks have forced 29 sacks and allowed 23 this season. Seattle is 66/168 on third and fourth down conversions. On defense, the Seahawks are allowing 314 yards per game, including 110.6 rushing and 203.4 passing yards. Seattle is in the top 5 in total defense, against the pass, and points allowed, and #12 in rushing defense. The Seahawks have 2 special teams touchdowns this season.
Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has completed 63.4% of his passes for 2,344 yards with 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, along with 66 carries for 298 yards. Running back Marshawn Lynch has 250 carries, 1,138 yards and 6 touchdowns, along with 18 catches for 149 yards. He is probable with a back injury. Robert Turbin and Leon Washington will also get some carries. Washington has a kickoff return for a touchdown. Receiver Sydney Rice has 43 catches, 623 yards and 7 touchdowns. Rice is questionable with a head injury. Golden Tate has 35 catches, 486 yards and 7 touchdowns. Tight end Zach Miller has 28 catches, 308 yards and a touchdown. Doug Baldwin, Turbin, and Anthony McCoy will also get some catches. McCoy has 2 touchdowns.
The Cardinals are 3-0-1 on fieldturf, 5-1-1 after allowing more than 150 rushing yards, 5-1 after gaining less than 250 yards, 4-1 after passing for 150 yards or less, 2-5 after allowing 15 points or less, 2-5-1 after allowing 150 passing yards or less, 1-3-1 in road games against teams with winning home records, 2-6-1 overall, 1-4-1 against NFC teams, 1-5 after scoring 15 points or less. The last four games in Seattle in this series have gone under the total.
The Seahawks are 3-0-1 after passing for more than 250 yards, 7-1 at home against teams with losing road records, 5-1 on fieldturf, 4-1 in December, and in NFC games, 6-2 overall, 5-2 after rushing for more than 150 yards, and after gaining more than 350 total yards, 39-19-2 at home, and 1-4 against NFC West teams. Seattle is 5-2 ATS at home against the Cardinals. The home team is 5-1 ATS in this series recently.
Seattle is very good at home, but not so good on the road. The Cardinals have lost 8 straight games. Seattle should win easily but both teams have great defenses. I think the Cardinals hang around and get the back door cover.
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