Cardinals Are 3.5-Point Underdogs vs Seahawks in Opening Line for Week 7

• The Seattle Seahawks (5-0) visit the Arizona Cardinals (4-2) in Week 7 (Oct. 25, 4:25 pm EST)
• Seattle opened up as a 3.5-point road favorite and leads the league in points per game (33.8)
• Read below for analysis on which way the line will move ahead of kickoff

Maybe the Arizona Cardinals are for real after all. Kliff Kingsbury’s team destroyed the Dallas Cowboys 38-10 on Monday Night Football, a week after burying the New York Jets by 20 points.

Arizona is now 4-2, and will face its stiffest test of the season when the undefeated Seattle Seahawks come to town in Week 7.

Seahawks vs Cardinals Opening Odds

Odds taken Oct. 19th at FanDuel.

Not surprisingly, Seattle opened up as a 3.5-point favorite ahead of the divisional clash. The Seahawks enter Week 7 fresh off a bye, and you have to assume they spent the entire week trying to devise a scheme to somehow slow down Kyler Murray.

Kyler in Complete Control

A week after putting up a career-high 380 yards through the air, Murray used his legs to run all over the Cowboys. The former first round pick rushed for 74 yards and a score, routinely picking up key first downs on the ground.

Kyler Murray is just the fifth player in NFL history with 30+ passing TDs and 10+ rushing TDs in their first two NFL seasons (Cam Newton, Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen). pic.twitter.com/cLsBAeXyqE

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 20, 2020

He was effective when he needed to be in the passing game, but only threw the ball 24 times. Two of those passes went for touchdowns, including this 80-yard bomb to Christian Kirk.

Kyler Murray goes deep to Christian Kirk and connects for an 80-yard TD. What a grab in full stride by Kirk. #Cardinals are up 21-0. pic.twitter.com/D6iDhK3Chi

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) October 20, 2020

Now he gets the most favorable matchup of all, a date with the Seahawks league worst pass defense. Seattle is allowing 370.4 yards per game to enemy quarterbacks, 35 more yards than any other team. They’ve held just one opposing QB under 300 yards, and average less than two sacks per game.

One thing to monitor as we get closer to kickoff is the status of Jamal Adams. The stud safety hasn’t played since Week 3 due to a groin injury, and is one of the only difference makers in the Seahawks secondary.

Wilson’s MVP Bid Continues

The Seattle offense meanwhile, leads the NFL in points per game (33.8) and ranks eighth in yards per contest. Russell Wilson is playing at a level few QB’s have ever reached, throwing 15 TD passes through his team’s first five games.

ABSOLUTELY. MAGICAL.@DangeRussWilson to @dkm14 at JUST the right time!! #Seahawks | NBC pic.twitter.com/KlWBNrqYmY

— Sunday Night Football (@SNFonNBC) October 12, 2020

Russ checks in as Pro Football Focus’ number one graded passer, and leads the league in quarterback rating, while ranking second in completion percentage.

You’d never know it by the way they played against Dallas, but Arizona’s defense is typically not very stout. The Cardinals entered Week 6 with PFF’s 29th ranked pass rush and 27th ranked coverage unit. The pass rush suffered a major blow in Week 5 with the loss of Chandler Jones to a torn biceps, and the last thing you want to do against Seattle is give Russ time to cook.

Expect a Move Towards Seattle

There aren’t too many teams more beloved by the public than the Seahawks, and we can expect bettors be quick to bet Seattle at -3.5. Seattle is 4-1 ATS this season, one of the best marks in the NFL, while none of Arizona’s four wins have come against teams ranked in the top-half of the league in DVOA.

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5-0 feels so good. 😎 pic.twitter.com/OPHpni0IR4

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 13, 2020

This line will likely move anywhere from half a point to a point and a half in the Seahawks favor, at which point the Cardinals become a glaring value. If you like Arizona, be patient. You’ll get a better number closer to kickoff.