Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals: Tight game in store this Thursday night

Neil Monnery
09 November 2017

Russell Wilson is the key to the Seattle Seahawks offense

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We go to the NFC West this Thursday night as Seattle look to cement their position as the class of the division. Neil Monnery previews the encounter...

"Russell Wilson is one of the underappreciated Quarterbacks of his generation. If he has time in the pocket, he can tear a defense to shreds. Yet he is prone to throwing a bad pass when under pressure."

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals
Friday 10 November, 01:25 BST
TV: Live on Sky Sports Action & Main Event

For the Cardinals...

At 4-4, Arizona surprisingly still have a shot at getting involved in the NFC Wildcard race. With starting QB Carson Palmer out, backup Drew Stanton get the nod. The 33-year-old has been with Bruce Arians since 2013 so clearly his Head Coach has faith in his ability.

His numbers, though, have never exactly jumped off the stat sheet. In his career he's thrown more interceptions than touchdowns and his completion percentage is under 53%. He's up against the vaunted Seahawks defense this week and I don't have much confidence in his ability to make plays down the field.

One asset he does have though is future Hall of Fame Running Back Adrian Peterson. Since his trade from New Orleans, he's notched up two 100 yard games on the ground in three starts. On Sunday he carried the ball 37 times for 159. If the Cardinals have any hope in Thursday Night Football, they'll need him to pound the rock.

For the Seahawks...

Seattle are one of the toughest teams to write about. They can put up 41 in a thriller at home to Houston one week before laying an egg and losing to an injury-riddled Washington team the next.

Russell Wilson is one of the most underappreciated Quarterbacks of his generation. If he has time in the pocket, he can tear a defense to shreds. Yet he is prone to throwing a bad pass when under pressure.

I love the talent they have in the Wide Receiver position. They don't have a number one guy but a bunch of players who just get the job done. Throw in Jimmy Graham, who they finally seem to have worked into that offense from the Tight End position, and you have a passing attack that can do damage on anyone.

The Picks...

Like I said earlier, Seattle are a hard team to predict. They blow hot and oh so cold. All logic points to them winning and doing so quite handily. Yet, the short week and playing away from home at a desperate opponent gives me pause for thought. On the Exchange you are getting 5.5 with Arizona at 2.001/1 and I'm going to take the points.

Points-wise the line has been set at 41.5 and I'm going under once more. These two teams have a history of playing very defensive games and Drew Stanton scares me. You can get under 41 at 1.9720/21 on the Exchange.

On the side markets, I'm going very much off the grid. You can get 20/1 that Andre Ellington scores a TD at anytime. He won't get the majority of snaps in the backfield but he'll get some touches and has shown he can be a good safety valve in the passing attack. That price seems big to me.

Recommended Bets
3pt Back Arizona+5.5pts at 2.001/1 on the Exchange
1pt Back under 41pts at 1.9720/21 on the Exchange
1pt Back Andre Ellington to score anytime at 20/1 on the Sportsbook