NFL WEEK 18 MATCHUPS
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: Fox
Spread (BetMGM): Seahawks by 3
Seahawks’ keys to victory: The Seahawks beat the Cardinals 20-10 in Week 7 despite turning the ball over three times. However, taking care of the football has been the winning stat in recent weeks. Over the past nine games, if the Seahawks had a turnover, they lost six times. They must protect the football. They should expect a big game from RB Kenneth Walker III. Walker rushed for 105 yards in Week 7.
Cardinals’ keys to victory: QB Kyler Murray has come on in the past two games, throwing five touchdown passes, but the running game has fueled Arizona’s offensive success. The Cardinals rushed for 234 yards in Week 15 against San Francisco and 221 in Week 17 against Philadelphia. The Seahawks allowed 202 rushing yards to the Steelers on Sunday. Controlling the clock like it did in Philly, possessing the ball for over 39 minutes, is how Arizona can overcome a defense that has allowed 27 or more points eight times this season.
Matchup to watch: Seahawks’ front seven vs. Cardinals RB James Conner. Conner is 110 yards short of his first season with 1,000 yards rushing. He rushed for 128 and scored two touchdowns against the Eagles in Week 17. He has rushed for over 85 yards in three of the past four games and has found the end zone six times in the past four games.
Who wins? Seattle needs a win to possibly earn a playoff berth. The Cardinals have looked bad against the NFC West, losing all five division games.
Seahawks, 27-24