The Arizona Cardinals have struggled at home this season, losing four of their seven games at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals will look to end their home campaign on a high note when they host the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18. Who will prevail in this NFC West showdown? Here's a breakdown of the Seahawks vs Cardinals matchup.
Seattle Seahawks installed as +6.5 underdogs
The Seattle Seahawks finally snapped their two-game losing skid with a resounding 51-29 victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 17. With the win, Seattle improved to 6-10 for the season.
The Seahawks entered their showdown against the Lions with one of the worst home records in the NFL, winning just twice at Lumen Field in seven games played. They saved the best for last, recording their highest scoring output of the season in Week 17 in front of their home fans.
The Seahawks used a balanced attack to destroy the Lions. Russell Wilson was superb under center, completing 20 of 29 passes for 236 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. DK Metcalf was Wilson's favorite target, with the burly wide receiver grabbing three touchdown receptions.
Rashaad Penny continued his late-season surge, running for 170 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. He did most of his damage in the first half, racking up 144 yards rushing. Wilson also threw two of his touchdown passes during this period to help Seattle build a 31-7 lead at the break.
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Arizona Cardinals enter Week 18 as -6.5 favorites
Arizona's NFC West title hopes remained very much alive after the Cardinals recorded a thrilling 25-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys in their showdown in Week 17. The Cardinals are currently in second place in the NFC West standings with an 11-5 slate. They trail the Los Angeles Rams by just one game heading into the final week of the regular season.
The Cardinals hold the tiebreaker against the Rams, so Arizona will win the division title if both teams share similar records at the end of the season. The Cardinals will have to beat the Seahawks in Week 18 and hope that the San Francisco 49ers beat the Rams at SoFi Stadium.
For the Cardinals to grab the all-important win against the Seahawks, they need Kyler Murray to deliver a great showing. He was outstanding in the win against the Cowboys, completing 26 of 38 passes for 263 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. That performance helped Arizona snap its three-game losing skid.
Murray loves playing at the home of the Cowboys, improving to 8-0 as a starter at AT&T Stadium. Most of Murray's victories came when he was a high school playoff star in Dallas, Texas. However, Murray's past two wins have been as a professional, including Arizona's 38-10 rout of the Cowboys last season.
Arizona's offense finally delivered, with the Cardinals reaching the 25-point mark for just the second time in the last seven games. The Cardinals will have their work cut out for them against the Seahawks, who are 10th in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 21.0 points per game this season.
Writer's Prediction
Arizona wins and covers the spread.
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