The injury bug has hit the NFL and the Seattle Seahawks so hard that even Pete Carroll was limited in practice. The Seattle head coach underwent a knee scope during the bye week. Though Carroll had a bit of a setback in rehab because he “overdid it a little too much,” he will be 100 percent ready to go on Sunday against the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals.
The story of the week for the Seahawks has been injuries. All-Pro safety Jamal Adams will miss another game with a groin injury that has nagged him all season. Seattle will also be without veteran guard Mike Iupati who has a back injury that may hold him out for an extended period.
When asked about the status of Adams, Carroll said, “He is really close. We want to make sure we get it right, and I anticipate he will be back to practicing next week.”
On the Arizona sideline, receiver DeAndre Hopkins and defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick are among the Cardinals players questionable for the primetime Sunday night matchup.
Ultimately, the narrative on Sunday will be the matchup between Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray. While Wilson is leading the NFL MVP race, Murray is working to live up to the Russell Wilson comparisons placed on him coming out of college.
Offensively, both teams are producing at extremely efficient levels. Arizona ranks 5th in the NFL in total yards, and Seattle is not far behind at 7th. While Seattle passes more, Arizona prefers the ground game and is averaging 161 yards rushing per game.
Kenyan Drake, Kyler Murray and Chase Edmonds all have averaged over four-and-a-half yards per rush, which has opened up amazing opportunities for Hopkins and breakout receiver Christian Kirk in the play-action game.
Wilson and the Seahawks will have their hands full with a Cardinals defense that only allows 18.7 points per game and is 12th in the league against the passing attack. Although the Cardinals have not faced a receiving duo like D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in their 2020 campaign, Budda Baker and the Arizona defense will not back down.
Game Info:
Date: October 25, 2020
Start Time: 8:20PM ET
Location: Glendale, AZ
Stadium: State Farm Stadium
TV Info: NBC
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Points Spread: SEA -3.5 (-110) | AZ +3.5 (+110)
Moneyline: SEA (-190) | AZ (+155)
Over/Under: O 54.5 (-110) | U 54.5 (-110)
Both teams have been extremely effective in their offensive production and have been averaging over 60 points per game combined in 2020. With injuries plaguing both defensive units, look for Murray and Wilson to have big days and bet the over. This being the first real test of either team, playing the spread or moneyline may be dangerous. That said, a Seattle play to cover can never hurt with their consistent ability to win one-score games.
Prediction:
Until the MVP front-runner loses, it is difficult to pick against the Seahawks. With injuries on both sides of the ball, but no devastating injuries to the true stars on either team, both NFC West contenders should go into the matchup fairly even. Murray has faced poor defenses in the Jets and Cowboys, but the struggles against Carolina and Detroit make it hard to believe he can take down a well coached, high-octane Seahawks team in primetime. Either way, the game will be close, exciting, and come down to the wire. That is just the way Seattle likes it.
Final Score: Seattle Seahawks 31, Arizona Cardinals 27
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