’Hawks, Cards: Should have been premier matchup, now not so much

When the schedule came out, folks in Seattle and Phoenix pointed to the Seahawks-Cardinals game tonight 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 Rams, who sort of have a bye as they face the powerless Texans. Are the Seahawks up to it?

Star linebacker Bobby Wagner has no doubts, and even 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 Wagner and cohorts will face in truth isn’t all that recognizable with Carson Palmer and David Johnson sidelined. 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.

“It is just crunching and just waiting for someone to pop out of their gap. He does a good job of finding it, but I feel like we have been very disciplined when we played him, and we understand the problems that he kind of presents when we play him. If we stay gap sound, we should be fine.”

Seattle is a six-point choice at Arizona. SEAHAWKS, 19-12 HOUSTON (plus 10)

at L.A. RAMS Without Watson, Texans have no offence. And no chance. RAMS, 27-10

DALLAS (plus 3) at ATLANTA Two teams headed in opposite directions. Go with the team pointing upward. Cowboys, 30-20 N.Y. JETS (minus 2 12 ⁄ )

at TAMPA BAY Actually toyed with this as a Best Bet. JETS, 26-17 NEW ORLEANS (minus 3)

at BUFFALO Actually toyed with this as an Upset Special. BILLS, 24-23 PITTSBURGH (minus 7 12 ⁄ ) at INDIANAPOLIS Did not toy with this for Upset Special. But did for Best Bet. STEELERS, 38-13 NEW ENGLAND (minus 6) at DENVER Patriots often struggle in Mile High City. Not this time. PATRIOTS, 27-16 MINNESOTA (minus 1) at WASHINGTON Redskins looked so good in Seattle, but also are so banged-up. VIKINGS, 20-17 GREEN BAY (plus 5) at CHICAGO Cheeseheads are putting their faith in Wisconsin Badgers now. BEARS, 13-9 L.A. CHARGERS (plus 4 12 ⁄ ) at JACKSONVILLE We could see Chargers sneaking away with this one. JAGUARS, 21-20 CINCINNATI (plus 5 12 ⁄ ) at TENNESSEE If Titans expect to win AFC South, they can’t stumble in this kind of matchup. TITANS, 23-16 CLEVELAND (plus 10) at DETROIT First win for Browns? Not happening. LIONS, 27-12 N.Y. GIANTS (minus 1) at SAN FRANCISCO First win for Niners? Maybe. Or maybe not. GIANTS, 17-13 MONDAY NIGHT MIAMI (plus 8) at CAROLINA Another prime-timer for Dolphins, who haven’t really earned it. PANTHERS, 20-14 ——— 2017 RECORD: Last week: Against spread (5-6-1). Straight up (6-7); Season Totals: Against spread (60-63-3). Straight up: (80-52)