Seahawks vs. Cardinals Week 1 Odds
PHOENIX, AZ (The Spread) – NFC West rivals clash in Arizona this Sunday when the Cardinals host the Seahawks at 4:25PM ET.
SEATTLE: The Seahawks will start a rookie quarterback when the season opens on Sunday. Third-round pick Russell Wilson beat free agent addition Matt Flynn in preseason and he’ll run Pete Carroll’s offense this year. That offense also features Marshawn Lynch and a solid running game, although Wilson is hurt by a lack of a top flight wide receiver. (It would help if Sidney Rice could stay healthy.) On the other side of the ball, the defense is underrated, especially the secondary, and Chris Clemons is a solid pass rusher. If Wilson plays well it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that the Hawks can compete for a playoff spot.
ARIZONA: The Cardinals wanted Kevin Kolb to put a stranglehold on the starting quarterback job in preseason but he struggled mightily and opened the door for John Skelton. With Skelton under center Arizona will need to run the ball effectively with Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams because this team will struggle to throw the ball. Skelton is limited as a passer and the offensive line is brutal, so the running game will be the focal point. Defensively this team should be better because the Arizona defenders are more comfortable in Ray Horton’s scheme. But it remains to be seen if the Cards can get after the quarterback.
ODDS: The Seahawks opened as a 1-point underdog but they’re now a 2.5-point favorite as 72% of the NFL betting public favors Seattle. The total, meanwhile, is sitting at 41 for this game.
TRENDS: The over is 8-0 in the last eight meetings between these two teams in Arizona and 11-5 in the last 16 meetings overall. The home team is 4-1 against the spread in the last five meetings between these two teams while the Seahawks are 1-5 ATS in their last six trips to Arizona.
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