Seahawks vs. Cardinals NFL Week 14 Picks: Seattle Will Put Up a Fight
- Eduardo Solano
- December 3, 2024
NFL Pick: Seahawks +3 (-114) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
The Arizona Cardinals look to get back on track when they host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Let’s analyze the current NFL odds available at the top-rated sportsbooks and go over all you need to know about this game.
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Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, December 08, 2024 – 04:05 PM ET at State Farm Stadium
Seattle Beat New York
The Seahawks capitalized on the Cardinals’ loss (more on that in a bit) with a 26-21 victory over the Jets on Sunday to claim sole possession of first place in the NFC West. Zach Charbonnet’s eight-yard touchdown run with 5:31 left proved decisive, while Leonard Williams swung the momentum with a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Geno Smith, making his first start at MetLife Stadium against his former team, completed 20 of 31 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown to AJ Barner.
Kenneth Walker III managed 49 yards on 16 carries, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba tallied four receptions for 74 yards. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett combined for seven catches and 82 yards. The Jets, who led most of the way, were shut out in the second half despite a strong start.
Arizona Suffered a Tough Loss in Minnesota
The Vikings staged a dramatic comeback, overcoming a 13-point deficit to edge the Cardinals 23-22 on Sunday.
Kyler Murray, who had been sharp for much of the game, saw his performance unravel in the fourth quarter with two costly interceptions. The loss dropped Arizona to second place in the NFC West, trailing the Seahawks.
Jonathan Greenard delivered a game-changing sequence for Minnesota in the final minute. First, he forced a fumble on Murray for the Vikings’ lone sack of the day with 48 seconds remaining. Then, on the next play, he chased Murray down for a short in-bounds gain, forcing Arizona to burn their second timeout.
Facing fourth down, the Vikings’ pass rush swarmed Murray, whose desperate throw was intercepted by Shaquill Griffin. Earlier, Byron Murphy had picked off a pressured Murray pass at the Minnesota 32, setting up Parker Romo’s third field goal of the game.
Murray completed 31 of 45 passes for 260 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, adding 48 rushing yards on seven carries. James Conner contributed 68 yards on 17 carries, while Trey McBride led Arizona’s receiving corps with 12 catches for 96 yards.
Marvin Harrison Jr. added five receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. Despite gaining 228 yards in the first half, Arizona settled for a 9-6 halftime lead due to conservative play-calling in scoring range.
Key Matchups
The Seahawks are riding high after a gritty victory over the Jets that saw their defense shine in critical moments, while the Cardinals are reeling from a heartbreaking collapse against the Vikings.
This game will likely come down to execution in key moments, with the Seahawks’ opportunistic defense facing off against Murray’s dynamic playmaking ability.
Kyler Murray vs. Seahawks Defense
Murray’s ability to make plays with both his arm and legs will be pivotal for the Cardinals. Against the Vikings, he threw for 260 yards and a touchdown but was undone by two late interceptions.
The Seahawks’ defense, led by Williams’ game-changing ability, has thrived on forcing turnovers, as evidenced by Williams’ 92-yard pick-six against the Jets.
Murray will need to balance aggression with caution, particularly under pressure, where Seattle’s defensive front could disrupt his rhythm. If Murray’s mobility is neutralized, Arizona’s offense could sputter.
Seahawks Rushing Attack vs. Cardinals Front Seven
Walker struggled to find consistency against the Jets, averaging just over three yards per carry. Arizona’s run defense has been suspect in stretches, but the Arizona front seven’s disruptive ability could pose problems for Walker.
The Seahawks will need to establish the ground game early to open up opportunities for Geno Smith in play-action. If Walker finds success, it could wear down Arizona’s defense and control the game’s tempo.
Cardinals Receivers vs. Seahawks Secondary
McBride and Harrison Jr. have emerged as reliable targets for Murray, with McBride’s 96-yard performance against Minnesota standing out. The Seattle secondary, anchored by Griffin’s ball-hawking presence, will need to limit big plays and force Arizona to settle for short gains.
If McBride and Harrison Jr. can exploit soft zones or mismatches, it could tip the scales in the Cardinals’ favor.
Geno Smith vs. Cardinals Defense
Smith was efficient in his return to MetLife Stadium, throwing for 206 yards and a touchdown. While he avoided turnovers, his receivers—particularly Smith-Njigba—will need to step up against a Cardinals secondary that has shown vulnerability in critical moments.
Special Teams and Turnovers
Turnovers played a decisive role in both teams’ previous games, and this matchup will likely follow suit. The Seahawks capitalized on mistakes by the Jets, while the Cardinals’ loss was sealed by Murray’s interceptions. Special teams could also swing momentum.
The Pick
This game shapes up to be a tight contest, with both teams trading momentum swings. The Seahawks’ defense will likely pressure Murray into a couple of critical mistakes, while their offense capitalizes on short fields to secure points.
The Cardinals will lean on Murray’s dual-threat abilities and McBride’s consistent production but the Seahawks will stay in the game and I would not be surprised if they win this game.
NFL Pick: Seahawks +3 (-114) at Bookmaker
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.