***TNF IN THE SWAMP - SEA @ ARI***

***SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS***

A big time NFC West battle takes center stage tonight in the desert as the 4-4 Arizona Cardinals host the 5-3 Seattle Seahawks. This game is HUGE for these teams who are both trying to chase down the division leading 6-2 Los Angeles Rams. That being said, if the Cards were to some how upset the Hawks tonight, they would be tied for second place in the division. A big reason why I chose the stinky 0-8 49ers last week to upset the Cardinals is because I thought it was a possible lookahead spot for Arizona with this game on deck on a short week. I was wrong, as I've been a lot lately but feeling good about this upcoming week! The Cards made quick work of the hapless Niners on the road despite having backup QB Drew Stanton at the helm. Arizona wisely and relentlessly, gave the rock to their new toy veteran RB Adrian Peterson with a career high 37 carries. Head Coach Bruce Arians has come out and said that with starting QB Carson Palmer now out for the season, they have been forced to change their identity. After last week, it is clear that their identity is now pretty clear, force feed the football to "All Day" Adrian Peterson. After a short stint in New Orleans earlier this season, Peterson got his wish and has to be happier than a pig in sheet with the situation he's now found himself in. Things have seriously worked in his favor; not only did he go to a possible contender who lost their starting RB, but now they lose their passing game as well for the most part after Palmer broke his arm. Needless to say, AD's prayers were answered because the 'ol Vet will get all the carries he can handle from here on out. Tonight I fully expect the same approach against Seattle, and I like it.

Old school football is still the best football in my opinion, and the ground and pound game will always be a staple for a successful offense. I have to reiterate my dislike of QB Drew Stanton and the fact that I think the offensive is severely hindered with him behind center. Admittedly, he was another huge reason for me to back SF last week. He played okay however and managed the game fairly nicely while throwing two short touchdown passes in the Red Zone but did have an interception as well. Of course, he is facing a much more dangerous defense tonight going up against a Seattle team off a rare home loss to a Redskins team battered with injuries. That game was a war that went right to the wire, and after Seattle finally took the lead with a minute or so left to play, Washington QB Kirk Cousins was able to lead his team down the field on a 70 yard game winning drive in 37 seconds to seal the upset. Seattle doesn't lose back to back games all that often, in fact I think they haven't since the 2015 season. I question this Seattle tam at times however as they have been very inconsistent thus far. They have played in all extremely tight games besides blowing out the Colts and Giants, two below average teams. The final score against the Giants is a bit misleading in my eyes as well as there was a flukey TD for Seattle that then led to the game getting out of hand.

Regardless, the Seahawks will undoubtedly come hungry tonight of course off a loss and in a big game on National TV but will be without one of their key defensive players in Safety Earl Thomas. His absence leaves a huge void for this secondary both physically and emotionally and cannot be overlooked. CB Richard Sherman is also banged up and won't be 100% if playing tonight, and we all know just how much he loves these TNF games! So again, with Arizona's agenda on offense obviously being to run the ball till Peterson pukes, this will also inevitably help open up the short passing game for Stanton and allow him to get comfortable in the game. If he can complete a couple dink and dunk type passes early on to get his confidence up, I like Arians to not hesitate on taking a couple shots deep with speedster WRs JJ Nelson, John, and Jaron Brown, while trying to catch Seattle's secondary sleeping. Most importantly, Stanton's security blanket in the passing game is veteran WR Larry Fitzgerald, who is just 47 yards receiving yards away from reaching the 15,000 mark on his career. The guy is unreal and future HOF material. I should also mention how Peterson is 102 yards away from Marcus Allen in 13th place, and 105 yards away from Edgerrin James in 12th place on the NFL's all-time rushing yardage list. Just call it a hunch that they both pass those landmarks in tonight's game.

I believe last week's loss to the Redskins has Seattle shook. This team has some major problems and they know it. Their offensive line has been an issue all year, causing them to have practically zero run game and have their QB scrambling around to make plays the majority of the time. Lucky for them, Russell Wilson is one of the best in the game at doing so. They went out and acquired Tackle Duane Brown from the Texans and all was supposed to be magically fixed up front, but it wasn't as the Redskins were in the backfield often chasing down and making things difficult for Wilson. They have committed an insane amount of penalties this season, 16 just in that game! The Blair Witch project has also been a failure as Kicker Blair Walsh missed three FGs inside the 50 yard line. So yea, I think their confidence is shaken up a bit. Now with some key injuries and on a short week, they head into a hostile environment in Arizona. It is the annual "Salute to Service" game for Arizona as Veteran's Day approaches. While all the teams around the NFL have their own tribute to the military at home this month, I believe this one is extra special being that it is the home of the late and great Pat Tillman. On Prime Time football and against a bitter rival, I expect the Arizona defense to be locked in and feed off the home crowd's energy here as they get after Wilson. The Seahawks offense to me has literally looked as simple as Wilson scrambling around and throwing up bombs to his WRs who I must say are surprisingly some of the best at retrieving 1 on 1 jump balls. Those guys come down with some crazy catches. That being said, it is important to mention how WR Paul Richardson may be out tonight with a groin injury. TE Jimmy Graham is also banged up and in the same boat playing hobbled if he does give it a go. Lastly, I foresee the defensive backs of Arizona stepping up tonight as they have been too quiet for such a talented group. Look for big nights from CB Patrick Peterson and Safety Tyrann Mathieu in this one to lead the way and provide that extra spark that this team will need to pull off the upset.

That all being said, if the Cards can just keep it simple and get nasty here, I think they have a legitamate shot at pulling out a big W at home tonight. They have to keep Stanton clean and avoid any turnovers, kick FGs when they need to and smother Wilson on D. I see a hard fought and entertaining low scoring affair, resulting in a FG difference either way. Gimme da points, CARDINALS+6.5