The Seattle Seahawks know if they want to have any chance to win the NFC West for a third year in a row, they'd better beat the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday Night Football.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arizona Cardinals +3.5
Seattle Seahawks -3.5
Over/Under 45
ODDS ANALYSIS
It's a little surprising to see the Seahawks favored by the value of home field advantage in this one. The insinuation is there that these two teams are on completely level terms, something which live bettors will have to determine is true or not.
At least the early returns suggest that Arizona is going to be the more popular play of the sharp bettors. The Cards are now set at +3 after opening at +3.5.
The total has held firm all week at 45.
WHEN THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS HAVE THE BALL
Russell Wilson has to get time in the pocket. If he doesn't, the Seahawks are dead.
Arizona's pass rush isn't great, but Seattle's offensive line is the worst in the league in terms of passing efficiency. Wilson has been sacked more times per game than any pivot in the league, an amazing stat considering how many sacks he ultimately weasels his way out of with his legs.
The Cardinals have a knack for forcing turnovers and creating big plays, and the Seattle receivers just aren't going to help Wilson out all that much. Perhaps the best weapon is Jimmy Graham, who has been incredibly inconsistent since being traded to the Seahawks from New Orleans.
If the Cards are getting home to Wilson and forcing shorter passes, even a tremendous day from Marshawn Lynch won't end up helping matters any. Live bettors should know that it almost seems destined for Seattle to struggle putting points on the board.
WHEN THE ARIZONA CARDINALS HAVE THE BALL
The real interesting side of the ball to us is this one. Arizona's offense has quietly emerged to average 32.9 points per game this year, and Carson Palmer is truly a fringe candidate for MVP honor if he continues to play like he has.
In spite of the fact that Andre Ellington has largely turned into a bust, the Cards still average 124.8 rushing yards per game, and they have one of the teams in the league to rank in the Top 10 in both rushing and passing this year.
The Seahawks can certainly play some defense, and getting a bye week could be the answer to fixing a defense which hasn't slowed down a single good offense this year.
We expect Arizona to try to work the middle of the field with its receivers, something which will put a lot of pressure on Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas in coverage. Normally speaking, that'd be a real cause for concern for NFL live bettors, but these two men just don't feel like they're on the same page this year. Palmer has put a lot of great touch on the ball down the field, and with Michael Floyd starting to emerge again as a legitimate receiving threat, that gives the Cards one of the sneakiest offenses in the league.
If Chancellor and Thomas are maintaining the middle and Palmer is forced to attack this defense to the outside, we like Seattle's chances. However, if the middle is open consistently, it should be all game long, and that's when the Cardinals can pull off the upset at the Link.
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