Arizona Cardinals vs Seattle Seahawks — Gemini betting tip 26 September 2025.

A classic NFC West rivalry takes center stage as the Arizona Cardinals host the Seattle Seahawks in what the betting market projects to be an incredibly tight affair. With the Seahawks pegged as slight road favorites at 1.87 and the Cardinals as home underdogs at 2.02, every yard will be hard-fought in this divisional clash. While home-field advantage is a factor, the key to unlocking this matchup lies in the significant offseason changes, particularly on the Seattle sideline.

The Seattle Seahawks enter a new era under head coach Mike Macdonald, the defensive mastermind behind the Baltimore Ravens' league-leading defense in 2023. This is arguably the single most impactful coaching change of the offseason. Macdonald's complex, multiple-front schemes are designed to create confusion and generate pressure from unexpected angles. This presents a formidable challenge for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals' offense. While the Seahawks' defense had talent under Pete Carroll, it often lacked discipline and schematic creativity. Macdonald's arrival promises to transform this unit into a cohesive and aggressive force, which could be the deciding factor in close games like this.

On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals' hopes rest squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Kyler Murray. His dynamic playmaking ability, both through the air and on the ground, gives Arizona a chance in any game. The expected addition of a top-tier wide receiver from the draft would provide a much-needed true #1 target, elevating the entire passing game alongside tight end Trey McBride. However, the Cardinals' defense remains a major work in progress. Under head coach Jonathan Gannon, the unit struggled mightily in 2023, ranking near the bottom of the league in most key metrics. While they are building for the future, they still appear to lack the top-end talent needed to consistently stop a balanced NFL offense.

When these two teams collide, the critical matchup will be Mike Macdonald's new-look defense against Kyler Murray's improvisation. While Murray's mobility can break down structured defenses, Macdonald's schemes are specifically designed to contain mobile QBs and force them into mistakes. Offensively, Seattle boasts a more proven and deeper group of skill players with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, giving Geno Smith a plethora of options. In a game with such a narrow point spread, the coaching advantage and superior defensive potential lean heavily in Seattle's favor. The Seahawks are not just the same team as last year; they are a team with a new, formidable identity on defense. That strategic upgrade is enough to justify their status as favorites, making them the more reliable pick even on the road.