Seahawks vs. Cardinals: Inside the numbers
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks have one more chance to win a game that could get them in the playoffs in 2017, if they get help. Arizona is always a big rival. Here is how Seattle and the Cardinals matchup in week 17.
Cardinals defense versus Seattle’s offense
Arizona’s defense has had a strange year. The Cardinals currently rank 17th in the NFL in points allowed at 22.5 per game. But over the last five games Arizona has given up 16.6 points per, and this includes 32 given up to the Los Angeles Rams four weeks ago. In the last three contests, Arizona has allowed just 9 points a game.
The Seahawks, of course, have struggled mightily the last two games. And over the last three games have averaged just 15 points-per offensively. This is not good for a team that wants to make the playoffs. And for a team that once in the postseason wants to make a run.
Arizona’s defense is trending positively; The Seahawks offense is trending negatively. Not great for Seattle in the final matchup of the 2017 regular season.
Cardinals red zone offense last three games
A positive for Seattle is that the Cardinals red zone offense the last three games ranks dead last in the NFL as far as scoring touchdowns. Arizona has scored six exactly 16.67 percent of the time they have had the ball in the red zone the last three contests. That sucks.
Seattle, in contrast, ranks seventh in their last three contests in scoring touchdowns when inside the opponents 20 yard-line. The Seahawks have scored 66.67 percent of the time when given the chance.
First half points the last three games
Again there is more hope for Seattle. For as bad as they have been the entire year, the Seahawks have been even worse in first half points scored the last three game. Seattle has averaged just 2.3 points per half in the last three games. Awful!
But the Cardinals haven’t been much better. Arizona has scored an average of just 6.3 points in the first halves of the last three contests.
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If the score is 6-3 Cardinals at the half on Sunday, 12s have the like Seattle’s chances to win. Russell Wilson continues to be beastly in fourth quarters in 2017. Wilson will get Seattle a win on Sunday if the score is close at the half. And possibly Seattle then has a chance at making the postseason this year.