Seahawks, Cardinals matchup loses its bite

When the schedule came out, folks in Seattle and Phoenix pointed to the Seahawks-Cardinals game on Thursday as a pivotal one in the NFC West.

Forget that: Arizona, plagued by injuries and mediocre play, has been a huge disappointment.

Indeed, the Seahawks haven’t exactly been world beaters, either, bothered by untimely penalties and a sporadic attack.

This is an opportunity for Seattle to keep close to the division-leading Los Angeles Rams, who face the powerless Houston Texans. Are the Seahawks up to it?

Star linebacker Bobby Wagner finds a benefit to playing the Cardinals on a short week.

“Yeah, because you don’t have to relearn a new offence, like you have seen this team a handful of times,” Wagner said.

“We got a lot of film on them, so that’s what helps us. They know us, we know them, and it’s just who can remember what they did the fastest.”

The Arizona roster is without Carson Palmer and David Johnson. But newcomer Adrian Peterson has had two big games running the ball and will get all of Seattle’s attention.

“I think this is a style of offence where he is excelling really well in because he is a very patient runner, and this is a patient kind of run game,” Wagner said. “If we stay gap sound, we should be fine.”

Seattle is a six-point choice at No. 23 Arizona. Seahawks, 19-12

Houston (+10) at Los Angeles Rams

Without DeShaun Watson, Texans have no offence. And no chance. Best Bet: Rams, 27-10 Dallas (+3) at Atlanta Two teams headed in opposite directions. Go with the team pointing upward. Upset Special: Cowboys, 30-20 New York Jets (-2½) at Tampa Bay Actually toyed with this as Best Bet. Jets, 26-17

New Orleans (-3) at Buffalo Actually toyed with this as Upset Special. Bills, 24-23

Pittsburgh (-7½) at Indianapolis

Did not toy with this for Upset Special. But did for Best Bet. Steelers, 38-13

New England (-6) at Denver Patriots often struggle in Mile High City. Not this time. Patriots, 27-16

Minnesota (-1) at Washington

Redskins looked so good in Seattle, but also are so banged up. Vikings, 20-17

Green Bay (+5) at Chicago

Cheeseheads are putting their faith in Wisconsin Badgers now. Bears, 13-9

Miami (+8) at Carolina, Monday night

Another prime-timer for Dolphins, who haven’t really earned it. Panthers, 20-14

Los Angeles Chargers (+4½) at Jacksonville We could see Chargers sneaking away with this one. Jaguars, 21-20

Cincinnati (+5½) at Tennessee

If Titans expect to win AFC South, they can’t stumble in this kind of matchup. Titans, 23-16 Cleveland (+10) at Detroit First win for Browns? Not happening. Lions, 27-12

New York Giants (-1) at San Francisco First win for Niners? Maybe. Or maybe not. Giants, 17-13

Last week: Against spread (5-6-1). Straight up (6-7) Season Totals: Against spread (60-63-3). Straight up: (80-52) Best Bet: 5-4 against spread, 7-2 straight up. Upset special: 6-3 against spread, 6-3 straight up