Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks: Spread Analysis and Pick Prediction

Not only have the Seattle Seahawks evolved over the past year or so into the best team in the NFL, they've also been great bets inside that scream tunnel that is CenturyLink Field, going 19-5 versus the numbers over their last 24 home games.

Seattle can clinch the top seed in the upcoming NFC playoffs when it hosts the 9-5 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.

Point spread: Seahawks opened as 9.5-point favorites; the total was 45. (Line updates and matchup report)

Odds Shark computer prediction: 31.7-23.5 Seahawks

Why the Cardinals can cover the spread

Arizona has won six of its last seven games after surviving a terrible scare at Tennessee last Sunday. The Cardinals built a 34-17 lead, then allowed the Titans to tie it before winning on a Jay Feely field goal in overtime. Offensively, Arizona ranks 19th overall, but quarterback Carson Palmer owns a 13-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio during this recent run.

Defensively, the Cardinals now rank seventh overall and are No. 1 versus the run. If Palmer can avoid the turnovers and if the running game can make some hay, the Cardinals defense could help turn this game into a slugfest.

Why the Seahawks can cover the spread

The best team in football at the moment just ground the New York Giants into the New Jersey turf, stuffing the G-Men to the tune of 181 total yards in a 23-0 blanking. Seattle now leads the league in total defense, holding foes to an average of 280 yards per game. With a two-game lead over the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers in the NFC standings, the Seahawks can clinch the No. 1 seed with a victory.

Sunday's crowd at the Clink might get into that idea, as well as the idea of improving upon the Seattle 19-5 against-the-spread run in recent home games.

Smart Pick

The computer is calling for a Seattle victory but an Arizona cover in a game that plays OVER its total. It's hard to bet against the Seahawks right now, whatever the line. If they pitch another shutout, two touchdowns would cover the 10 points.

The Cardinals are on a nice run, but the Seattle defense is probably good for two Palmer turnovers Sunday. And that would make the difference. Give the points with the Seahawks and fade the computer picks on this one.

Trends:

• Seahawks 5-2 ATS past seven vs Cardinals
• Seahawks are 19-5 ATS past 24 home games
• UNDER is 7-3 past 10 Seattle divisional games
• Cardinals are 1-8 SU, 3-6 ATS past nine divisional games

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark—follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.