Arizona Cardinals vs Seattle Seahawks Predictions

Seattle has the matchup edge

Seattle is the likelier winner at Lumen Field, but its -455 moneyline and 8.5-point spread demand more certainty than this matchup provides. Arizona is +350 to win, and the total is 39.5.

The Arizona Cardinals report that Seattle had gone 37 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher and was tied for third in the NFL with 13 takeaways. Arizona must face that defense without left tackle Jayden Williams, who is out with a knee injury. Josh Fryar is expected to replace him, while guard Isaiah Adams has been activated from injured reserve.

Drew Lock will start for Seattle in place of Sam Darnold, while Gardner Minshew will start for Arizona. Lock completed 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns against the Cardinals in Week 2, giving Seattle a relevant example of him succeeding in this matchup.

The price calls for a pass

Seattle's own absences make the favorite difficult to back. The Seattle Seahawks report that Charles Cross, Leonard Williams, Brandon Pili, Uchenna Nwosu and Rashid Shaheed are out. Josh Jones will replace Cross at left tackle, leaving Seattle with changes at quarterback and along its offensive line.

Seattle should win, but laying 8.5 points or paying -455 is a tougher sell with those missing players. The available evidence also doesn't support a wager on the 39.5 total. Pass rather than turn a likely Seattle victory into a bet at an unattractive price.