Seahawks vs. Cardinals odds, prediction for NFL’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ game. When the Seahawks travel to play the Cardinals in Arizona on “Sunday Night Football” in the penultimate NFL game of Week 7 (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), they will get an extra chance to show whether they are the team to beat in the NFC. Seattle is coming off a bye, playing on the road for a matchup that had been scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET until it moved as a contingency for the Buccaneers-Raiders game.
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So the game is in Glendale instead of Las Vegas, featuring two different playoff contenders. The Seahawks (5-0) will try to stay perfect, while the Cardinals (4-2) will try to get closer to first place in the NFC West while also further pushing for a wild-card berth.
Will the Cardinals stay hot after dominating the Cowboys on Monday? Or will Russell Wilson and the Seahawks flex their muscles against a division rival? Here’s how Sporting News sees the matchup playing out, plus betting information you need to know for the game before kickoff.
Complete Week 7 NFL picks: Straight up | Against the spread
Betting odds for “Sunday Night Football”
Spread: Seahawks by 3.5
Point total: 54.5
Odds: Seahawks -180, Cardinals +160
The Seahawks have been close to field-goal favorites all week, even with the game changing into a prime-time home bump for the Cardinals. The total has been a little higher, but this is about right for two explosive offenses.
Seahawks vs. Cardinals all-time series
The Seahawks and Cardinals, formerly of the AFC West and NFC East, respectively, have met 42 times. The Seahawks hold a slim 21-20-1 edge. The Cardinals dominated the Seahawks in Seattle in their last matchup, a 27-13 win in November 2019. Before then, Seattle had a three-game winning streak. In the past nine meetings, the Seahawks are up 5-3-1.
Three trends to know
65 percent of bettors like the Seahawks to cover the small number coming off a bye, with the Cardinals having a short-week letdown.
53 percent of bettors like the total to go over the relatively high number with two big-time quarterbacks, Wilson and Kyler Murray, facing two shaky defenses.
The Seahawks are 4-1 against the spread this season, and the total has gone over in three of their games. The Cardinals are 4-2 against the spread, but the total has failed to go over in any of their games this season.
MORE: What channel is Seahawks vs. Cardinals on today?
Three things to watch
Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf vs. Cardinals defensive backs
Lockett will be working the slot vs. Byron Murphy Jr. while Metcalf at times will see some of cornerback Patrick Peterson outside. Murphy has been overwhelmed at times and Peterson is a shell of his former speedy shutdown self. Big advantage for Wilson’s two go-to receivers.
No Adams, yes Baker
Jamal Adams isn’t ready to return to clean up as the Seahawks’ hard-hitting safety. But Budda Baker, the Cardinals’ highest-paid safety in the game, is coming off a monster game against the Cowboys. The Cardinals need to take advantage of no Adams with Murray’s passing and running to the middle of the field; Wilson needs to worry about Baker disrupting things.
Chris Carson fully healthy
Wilson has had a dazzling start for the Seahawks, worthy of him running away with MVP. But Seattle is still a run-first team at heart, traditionally with Chris Carson, who’s back to meriting a big workload. Ball control will be key to protect the Seahawks’ struggling defense and limit time on the field for Murray.
Stat that matters
4.4. That’s how many average yards per carry the Cardinals give up with their overall No. 17 run defense. The Cowboys missed a big opportunity with the fumbling Ezekiel Elliott. The Seahawks should feel comfortable pounding Carson with several chunk runs to set up great downfield shots for Wilson.
Seahawks vs. Cardinals prediction
This game should live up to its high-scoring potential with the way Wilson and Murray are passing and running out of the gate. Prime time will only prompt the points to go up. In the end, the Seahawks, well-rested, will be more zoned in to steal this game in the fourth quarter because of Wilson.
Seahawks 31, Cardinals 27