The NFC West battle between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in Week 16 lost some of its luster with the division title already secured by the home team and the Cards officially eliminated from playoff contention. But there still is a score to settle between the clubs after the first meeting this season ended a tie. We have to wonder just how motivated the Seahawks will be after securing their playoff spot, but a look at their record at the Link tells us all we need to know.
This contest in Week 16 of the regular season will go down Saturday, December 24, 2016, at 4:25 p.m. ET at CenturyLink Field.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arizona Cardinals +7.5
Seattle Seahawks -7.5
Over/Under 43.5
Odds Analysis
The public likes Seattle, especially at home. The Seahawks opened as 7-point chalk and the line was quickly wagered to -7.5 with two-thirds of the spread bets on the home team. Seattle is 5-2 ATS at home with three of those wins coming as a favorite of at least eight points. Arizona has won two of the last three games played at the Link, including a 39-32 win there last season, and is 2-1 ATS in that span. But with Arizona out of the playoff race, is there enough motivation to compete?
Injury Report
Marcus Cooper – Arizona’s starting cornerback exited the Saints game with a back injury and the No. 1 overall defense was torched by Drew Brees. The Cardinals surrendered 389 yards and four touchdowns to Brees and the 48 points were the most allowed in a home game in 35 years.
Michael Bennett – Seattle’s defensive end was removed from the last game with a neck injury and his status is unclear. The Seahawks sure could use their Pro Bowler, who missed six games earlier with a knee injury. His ability to stop the run is a key against David Johnson and the Cards. Seattle will be thin on the line with Damontre Moore dealing with a foot problem and possible discipline for a weekend arrest.
Matchup to Watch
The carousel on the offensive line continues for the Cardinals. With D.J. Humphries still out and Ulrick John sent to injured reserve, the Cards put another different line combination together for their game with the Saints. The group performed well, allowing Carson Palmer to throw for 318 yards while running for 116, but that performance came against one of the weaker defenses in the league. It will likely be a different story against the Seahawks.
Seattle’s defense thrives in getting after the quarterback and swarming to the ball and they stymied the Cardinals when the teams met in Week 7. Facing the Cards line with Humphries and Jared Veldheer, the Seahawks bent but didn’t break, allowing only two field goals in a 6-6 tie. Seattle has the second-best scoring defense in the league thanks to some devastating play at home and in the red zone. The Seahawks give up a touchdown on just half of opponent’s trips inside the 20 and they allow two fewer points per game at home than their season average.
Free ATS Pick
With the division locked up we might wonder what the Seahawks motivation will be entering the final two weeks of the season. If you look at how they’ve performed on the road compared to at home, you’ll find out. Seattle goes for the perfect regular season home record against the Cardinals and earning a No. 2 seed for the playoffs will get them a first-round bye. As it stands now, they’re guaranteed a home game in the Wild Card round, but getting that higher seed comes with more perks. And you never know what can happen to the No. 1 seed.
I don’t expect Pete Carroll to call off the dogs and certainly the Cardinals will come out throwing blows. While the stakes are significantly lower with the Cardinals eliminated, it’s hard to imagine Bruce Arians throwing in the towel. The Cards didn’t catch the breaks this season and the defense was lit up last week. Look for a better showing, but in the end it’s the Seahawks with the best home field advantage in the league getting the victory. However, the spread is too high for my liking and the Cards get the cover.
NFL Odds: Seahawks 23, Cardinals 20
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