TNF betting preview: Cardinals host Seahawks in tight NFC West clash
Now this is more like the kind of Thursday Night Football we've come to know and love - no offense, Seahawks and Cardinals fans.
Arizona hosts Seattle for a clash between two 2-1 NFC West teams. There isn't a ton to get excited about here unless you have a few of the players on your fantasy teams. However, there are plenty of ways to spice up an otherwise mundane game with some props and touchdown scorer bets.
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π Pick: Seahawks (-1.5)
As mentioned, both teams are 2-1, but the Cardinals haven't impressed despite their record. Arizona defeated the Saints and the Panthers, two of the worst teams in the NFL, and scored just 15 points and lost by one to a beat-up 49ers team led by Mac Jones.
On the other hand, Seattle lost by four at home to Brock Purdy's 49ers, picked up a solid road win in Pittsburgh, and demolished the Saints 44-13 last week. The Seahawks are clearly the better team at this point in the season and should come out on top in Arizona.
Seattle's defense is allowing the second-fewest points per game (15.7) and has given up only four touchdowns. The Cardinals' offense isn't electric by any means and will turn to second-year running back Trey Benson to carry the workload after James Conner's season-ending injury.
The Seahawks have been able to score - they rank fifth in points per game (29.3) and 12th in passing yards - which is promising considering the Cardinals' secondary is dealing with injuries to its defensive backs (rookie Will Johnson missed last week's game and is questionable for Thursday).
This could be a low-scoring affair (the game total is only 43.5 points), but the Seahawks are better on both sides of the ball and should handle the Cardinals with ease.
π Bet: Over 89.5 receiving yards
Smith-Njigba is off to a fantastic start with three straight games of 96 or more receiving yards. Sam Darnold is targeting him on 40.3% of his dropbacks, which leads the NFL. Smith-Njigba should have his way with a depleted Cardinals secondary and surpass this total for a fourth consecutive game.
π Bet: Over 2.5 receptions
Horton's had back-to-back four-target games and caught a touchdown in both. The rookie wideout is becoming more involved in the Seahawks' passing attack and ran as many routes as Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp in their win over the Saints, according to JJ Zachariason. This is a great plus-money wager on a player who could overtake Kupp as the Seahawks' second-best receiver.
π Bet: Over 5.5 rushing attempts
Murray has attempted six or more rushes in all three games this season while collecting over 30 yards on the ground in each. The Seahawks are getting after the quarterback this season, ranking eighth in pressure rate. If they keep that up, Murray will often be forced to scramble and take off running, likely leading to six or more rushing attempts.
NFL news editor Brenden Deeg will provide touchdown scorer props all season long.
π Bet: Anytime TD (+175)
How can you trust anyone else on this offense to score right now? Marvin Harrison Jr. has been disappointing again, and Conner is out for the year. McBride leads the Cardinals in targets (24), receptions (17), and receiving yards (182) through three games. Seattle has surrendered the third-most red-zone targets and most touchdowns to opposing tight ends so far in 2025.
π Bet: Anytime TD (+425)
Let's take a swing on the fifth-round rookie to score Thursday night. The Colorado State product has found the end zone twice already and has fantastic odds in this game. Horton's playing about 50% of Seattle's offensive snaps, and Arizona has given up the sixth-most receiving yards to opposing wideouts this season.
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