The final week of the NFL season is always unique because of varying degrees of motivation for clubs. This year is no exception.
As a result, some of the NFL Week 18 betting odds might appear odd. Whereas the Seahawks must win to have a chance of reaching the playoffs, the Cardinals aren’t in the hunt but haven’t been just playing out the string.
Instead, the Cardinals beat the Eagles in Week 17. The spread here is small, and this might be one of the highest-scoring games of the week. Let’s look at how to attack betting this NFC West matchup.
Seahawks vs Cardinals Odds
NFL odds used for this Seattle vs Arizona preview were found at Caesars Sportsbook and are current as of Tuesday, January 2, at 9:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Seahawks (-140) • Cardinals (+118)
- Spread: Seahawks -2.5 (-110) • Cardinals +2.5 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 47.5 (-110) • Under 47.5 (-110)
- Implied Score: Seahawks 25, Cardinals 22.5
Seahawks vs Cardinals Predictions
Score Pick: Seahawks 28, Cardinals 27
Points should be plentiful in this contest due to both defenses being dreadful. According to FTN Fantasy’s defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA) metric, the Seahawks have the 24th-ranked defense this season and the Cardinals rank last.
The advanced metrics aren’t alone in painting a bleak picture of the defenses. Seattle has allowed 23.9 points per game, with a median of 26.5 this season. Arizona was worse, allowing 27.1 points per game and a median of 27.
Since both offenses have functioned well when the starting quarterbacks are healthy, this could be a higher-scoring game.
While the scrappy Cardinals have made games interesting, the Seahawks have struggled to cover spreads. According to Covers, Arizona is 4-3 against the spread (ATS) in Kyler Murray’s seven starts, and Seattle is 5-7-2 ATS in Geno Smith’s starts.
This game should not only produce points, but also remain competitive. The projected score is reflective of a close shootout.
Seahawks vs Cardinals Best Bets & Props
Cardinals Over 23.5 (+100)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The Cardinals have been humming offensively since their bye in Week 14. In three subsequent games, they’ve scored 29, 16, and 35 points against the 49ers, Bears, and Eagles.
They’ve averaged 22.7 points per game, with a median of 24 in Murray’s seven starts, clearing 23.5 four times. On the other side, the Seahawks have permitted over 23.5 points in four of their previous six games and six of their past nine.
Since Arizona’s offense under Murray has played well and Seattle’s defense is putrid, this is the NFL bet of the day.
Seahawks Over 24.5 (-110)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.75 units
Seattle’s offense isn’t consistently good. Nevertheless, it has averaged 21.9 points per game, with a median of 21.5 in Smith’s 14 starts this season.
The Seahawks have the weapons to get the better of Arizona’s barely-there defense. Again, the Cardinals’ defense is the worst in the NFL as measured by DVOA. They’ve also coughed up a blistering 27.1 points per game, with a median of 27 this season.
Over 47.5 (-110)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.75 units
Obviously, if I expect the Cardinals and Seahawks to exceed 23.5 and 24.5 points, the Over would hit. Arizona’s games have gone Over the total in four of Murray’s seven starts, pushing once.
Additionally, their games have eclipsed 47.5 points twice in three games since the bye and four times in Murray’s seven starts.
Seahawks vs Cardinals Same-Game Parlay
Seahawks vs Cardinals SGP (+380)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 units
- Cardinals Over 23.5 (+102)
- Seahawks Over 24.5 (-112)
- Cardinals +3.5 (-151)
As was established above, the defenses are trash. Arizona Over 23.5 points and Seattle Over 24.5 are carryovers from the best bets and props.
The Cardinals +3.5 points is the only fresh leg. It’s an alternate spread, hence the -151 line. The alternate line will give SGP bettors some wiggle room relative to the 2.5-point line.
Still, the Cardinals have done a good job of covering spreads in Murray’s starts (4-3) while the Seahawks haven’t in Smith’s starts (5-7-2). Arizona figures to stay within a field goal.
