The Seahawks at first glance are looking like a solid play in the NFL week 4 Seattle at Arizona free pick. Is that the right side to be on though? The ‘Hawks come into this game 2-1, but have had a penchant for being in close contests. The Cardinals regressed a bit in last week’s blowout loss to the Panthers, but do they still have the offense to keep this one within 5 points?
Seahawks Clicking in Passing Game
The total for the NFL week 4 Seattle at Arizona free pick is 48 and you’d think that both teams want to air it out on Sunday. The Seahawks fell 27-33 at home last week vs. the Drew Brees – less Saints but there’s not a whole lot more that Russell Wilson could have done to get the win. Wilson was 32/50 for 406 yards with 2 TDs and 0 INT. Wilson has 7 TD with 0 INT on the season.
It should be another big game for the Seattle quarterback but he might get some help from his running game vs. Arizona. Wilson had nearly half of the team’s 108 yards rushing last week but the Cardinals are 30th in the league vs. the run. Chris Carson has carried the ball 15 times in each of the first three games, but has failed to break 60 yards in any of them.
Rumors of the demise of the Seattle defense appear to have been greatly exaggerated. Yes the ‘Hawks are giving up more points than they’d like at 26.3 per game, but have held opponents to just 67.7 rush yards per game (4th). The Seahawks should be able to make Arizona very one-dimensional in this one, putting a lot of pressure on the Cardinals’ young QB.
Can The Cardinals Keep This One Close?
One thing Arizona has going for them in the NFL week 4 Seattle at Arizona free pick is that the Seahawks are 0-4-1 ATS in the last 5 head-to-head meetings. The Cardinals are 0-2-1 on the season, still looking for the first win in coach Kliff Kingsbury’s reign. They’ve been close, playing much better in the second half in the tie vs. Detroit and falling just 17-23 at Baltimore as nearly 2 TD underdogs. Last week’s 20-38 home loss to Carolina with the Panthers playing backup Kyle Allen has to sting a bit however.
Arizona’s chances Sunday rely on the effectiveness of signal caller Kyler Murray. The rookie threw 2 TD last week vs. Carolina, but also had two interceptions. Seattle, like Carolina, has a very experienced defense which could give Murray fits in this one. Larry Fitzgerald was also held in check vs. Carolina, failing to break the century mark in receiving yards for the first time this season.
As much pressure as Murray and the offense has Sunday, the Arizona defense is arguably facing more vs. Wilson and the Seahawks offense. This is especially true after Carolina’s Allen torched the Arizona secondary for 261 yards and 4 TD. The Cardinals are 30th in the league defensively in terms of total yards allowed whereas the Seahawks have a top 10 offense in yards gained.
NFL Week 4 Seahawks at Cardinals Free Pick
Arizona is in a tough spot in this one. Seattle has an experienced defense much like the Cardinals faced – and struggled against – a week ago. It’s possible Wilson gets a running game vs. the league’s 30th ranked rush defense which will make him even more…DangeRuss.
Pick: Seahawks -5.5
