Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Seattle Seahawks can put themselves in prime position to win the NFC West for the second straight year with a road win against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 19-3 as 7.5-point home favorites in Week 12 and would win the tiebreaker with a sweep if the teams finish with the same regular-season record.

Interestingly, no 11-3 team has ever been an underdog this big, and only two 11-3 teams have been home underdogs since 1980, according to the Odds Shark NFL database.

Point spread: The Seahawks opened as 7.5-point favorites; the total was 37 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report). 

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 25.7-23.0 Seahawks

Why the Seahawks can cover the spread

Seattle has won 10 of its past 13 games as a road favorite, going 8-5 against the spread. The Seahawks are locked in defensively right now, playing as well as they did during their Super Bowl run last year. They have allowed just three touchdowns in their past four games combined and held the Cardinals to a field goal in the previous meeting.

During Seattle’s current four-game winning streak, the team has gone 4-0 ATS following a 17-7 home victory against the San Francisco 49ers last week as a nine-point favorite. The past five wins for the Seahawks have all been decided by 10 points or more.

Why the Cardinals can cover the spread

Arizona is undefeated at University of Phoenix Stadium this year at 7-0—going 6-1 ATS—and has won 10 of its last 13 games as a home underdog. The Cardinals have been stingy there lately, allowing no more than two touchdowns to any of their past three opponents.

Despite having some major offensive issues with third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley under center, Arizona has risen to the occasion on defense in every home game as needed this season. The Cardinals found a way to hold Seattle in check on the road last year in a similar spot, winning 17-10 as eight-point underdogs.

Last week’s 12-6 road victory against the St. Louis Rams as six-point dogs also proved that the Cardinals can win a defensive battle in which the kickers decide the outcome.

Smart pick

Unfortunately for Arizona, this game will come down to the two quarterbacks. The Cardinals are left with Lindley and rookie Logan Thomas—neither of whom will be able to handle the pass rush of the Seahawks. Meanwhile, Seattle’s Russell Wilson has proved time and time again that he can make the right plays at the right time to lead his team to wins.

Wilson was the X-factor last season when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl and continues to be the player the opposition has the most difficult time preparing for. Even in the first meeting earlier this year, Wilson was sacked seven times by Arizona but still put Seattle in scoring position enough times to not only win but also cover the spread.

Look for Wilson to do that again as the Seahawks get another victory and cover.

Betting trends

• The total has gone under in four of Seattle's last six games on the road.
• Arizona is 3-6 straight up in its last nine games when playing Seattle.

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