THURSDAY NIGHT
Seattle at Arizona (+1.5), o/u 43.5 – Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EDT
After coming up just short against the Niners in their opener, the Seahawks have proceeded to stomp the Steelers and Saints by a combined score of 75-30. Sam Darnold has a 70.6 percent completion rate, 4:2 TD:INT and absurd 10.1 YPA in the two wins, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba being his main target but Cooper Kupp and rookie Tory Horton also making an impact. Kenneth Walker has also restaked his claim to the top RB job, churning out 143 rushing yards and three TDs in the last two weeks while Zach Charbonnet deals with a foot injury, but this backfield could end up being about as consistent as a weather vane. It's Mike Macdonald's defense that's been driving the team, though, ranking second in points per game allowed, and top 10 in yards per play allowed, QB rating against, pressure rate, yards per carry allowed and a host of other categories.
There's far less uncertainty in the Cardinals' backfield, but not for a good reason. James Conner went down in Week 3 and will undergo season-ending foot surgery, leaving the RB1 job firmly in the hands of second-year back Trey Benson. Benson hasn't had a chance to carry the load in the NFL yet — his career high in carries is only 11 — but his 6.0 YPC is encouraging, and his 3.1 yards per carry after contact is among the best marks in the league
THURSDAY NIGHT
Seattle at Arizona (+1.5), o/u 43.5 – Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EDT
After coming up just short against the Niners in their opener, the Seahawks have proceeded to stomp the Steelers and Saints by a combined score of 75-30. Sam Darnold has a 70.6 percent completion rate, 4:2 TD:INT and absurd 10.1 YPA in the two wins, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba being his main target but Cooper Kupp and rookie Tory Horton also making an impact. Kenneth Walker has also restaked his claim to the top RB job, churning out 143 rushing yards and three TDs in the last two weeks while Zach Charbonnet deals with a foot injury, but this backfield could end up being about as consistent as a weather vane. It's Mike Macdonald's defense that's been driving the team, though, ranking second in points per game allowed, and top 10 in yards per play allowed, QB rating against, pressure rate, yards per carry allowed and a host of other categories.
There's far less uncertainty in the Cardinals' backfield, but not for a good reason. James Conner went down in Week 3 and will undergo season-ending foot surgery, leaving the RB1 job firmly in the hands of second-year back Trey Benson. Benson hasn't had a chance to carry the load in the NFL yet — his career high in carries is only 11 — but his 6.0 YPC is encouraging, and his 3.1 yards per carry after contact is among the best marks in the league in the early going, nestled between James Cook and Derrick Henry. He's also getting used more as a pass-catcher, and after seeing only six targets total as a rookie, Benson's caught seven of 10 the last two games for 39 yards. Like Seattle, Arizona is 2-1 with their only loss coming to San Francisco, but the Cards haven't looked quite as impressive in their wins over the Saints and Panthers. Until Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison and the passing game get rolling, close wins might be the ceiling for this offense, and their upcoming schedule through their Week 8 bye features a lot of secondaries that have been stingy in the early going. Their second half looks a lot easier, though, starting in Week 9 with the Cowboys, so there could be some buy-low opportunities on everyone except Trey McBride, who seems fairly matchup-proof.
Key Info
SEA injury report: TE Elijah Arroyo (questionable, groin), C Jalen Sundell (questionable, ankle), DE Leonard Williams (questionable, elbow), EDGE Boye Mafe (questionable, toe), CB Devon Witherspoon (questionable, knee), S Julian Love (questionable, hamstring)
ARI injury report: RB James Conner (IR, foot), WR Zay Jones (questionable, concussion), LT Paris Johnson (questionable, knee), LG Evan Brown (questionable, ankle), DT L.J. Collier (IR, knee), LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (questionable, elbow), CB Will Johnson (questionable, groin), CB Garrett Williams (IR, knee)
Slight lean: TE AJ Barner (ARI 26th in DVOA vs. TE, t-29th in receptions allowed to TEs in 2025)
Slight lean: RB Trey Benson (SEA 26th in passing DVOA vs. RB, 32nd in receiving yards allowed to RBs in 2025)
Slight fade: WR Cooper Kupp (ARI fifth in DVOA vs. WR2 in 2025)
Strong fade: WR Greg Dortch (SEA third in DVOA vs. WR3 in 2025)
NFL weather report: indoors
Head-to-head record, last five years: 8-2 SEA, average score 25-20 SEA, average margin of victory eight points. SEA has won seven straight meetings, including four straight at State Farm Stadium by an average score of 30-22
The Scoop: Walker leads the SEA backfield with 70 yards and a touchdown. Darnold throws for 260 yards and three TDs, two to JSN (who tops 100 yards) and one to Horton. Benson shines in the spotlight, erupting for 120 scrimmage yards and two scores, one rushing and one receiving. Murray throws for 220 yards and a second touchdown to McBride. Seahawks 28-27
Last week's record: 11-5, 7-8-1 ATS, 9-7 o/u
2025 record: 35-13 (.729), 28-18-2 ATS (.609), 20-28 o/u (.417)
