Arizona Cardinals

WhatIfSports 2014 NFL Week 12 Predictions

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:13 p.m. ET

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Each Tuesday, WhatIfSports.com's NFL simulation engine will provide predictions, box scores and statistics for every NFL game that week. The NFL simulation engine generates detailed information including each team's chance of winning, average score and comprehensive box score.

The statistical inputs to the thousands of NFL games simulated are based on rigorous analysis of each team's roster, depth chart and statistically based player ranking. Roster modifications have been made for injuries and suspensions and those players are not part of their team's game simulation.

To account for injuries and roster moves announced late in the week, we will be re-simulating some games on Thursdays throughout the 2014 NFL season.

Check out our 2014 NFL Season-to-Date page to follow our accuracy week-to-week and find Locks and Upsets of the Week.

Game of the Week: Cardinals at Seahawks

Following Week 1's smackdown of the Packers, the Seahawks seemed primed to defend their Super Bowl belts. Instead, Seattle could see its playoff hopes dissolved by Black Friday. With their season hanging in the balance, the Hawks welcome the red-hot Arizona Cardinals to the Emerald City for our WhatIfSports.com Game of the Week.

In one regard, Seattle, despite four losses on the season, remains in good shape. The club ranks third in total defense and boasts the league's best rushing attack, averaging over 174 yards per contest. Conversely, the Seahawks have a gauntlet of a schedule ahead, facing both the Cardinals and 49ers twice, with a date against the 7-3 Eagles and a rematch versus a dangerous Rams team sprinkled in. In the highly-competitive NFC, 10 wins won't guarantee a playoff berth, leaving Pete Carroll's squad little room for error.

And then there's the matter of Russell Wilson. The Seattle signal caller has taken a step back in Year 3, posting career-lows in every major passing category. Of greater concern has been Wilson's ability, or lack thereof, to win on the road, owning an 11-10 career mark in away games versus a 19-2 record at home. Granted, the Seahawks' front office hasn't given him much to work with in the receiving ranks, and Wilson's production on the ground (571 yards, four touchdowns) is admirable. Alas, for Seattle to regain its championship swagger, Wilson will need to instill some firepower into the team's attack.

This sentiment is easier said than done against the Cardinals. Arizona ranks second in turnover differential and is one of just three defenses allowing fewer than 18 points per game. Such a stout performance is especially praiseworthy given the unit has been without All-Pro Daryl Washington and Pro Bowler Darnell Dockett for the entire campaign.

However, not all is bright in Phoenix. The Cardinals have only two more home games. Worse, five of their remaining contests are against winning ball clubs. There's also the void left by Carson Palmer, who's out for the year with a torn ACL. Drew Stanton has been solid in Palmer's absence this season, leading the Cards to a 3-1 record as starter. In that same vein, no one is under the illusion that Stanton is anything more than a 30-year-old backup.

For Arizona to maintain its first-place standing in the NFC, Andre Ellington will need to elevate a rushing assault that ranks 30th in output. To his credit, Ellington's contributions in the receiving arena (41 catches, 356 yards) have to be noted, yet his 3.4 yards per carry won't be enough against the Cards' upcoming adversaries. Ellington's fruition may ultimately decide the fate of Bruce Arians' roster.

So who comes out on top in the NFC West showdown? According to the award-winningWhatIfSports.com NFL simulation engine, the Cardinals emerge victorious 59.8 percent of the time by an average margin of 23-19. For the rest of this week's projections, check below:

NFL Week 12 Predictions
Matchup	Win %	Avg. Score
Jacksonville Jaguars	26.9	20	Boxscore
@ Indianapolis Colts	73.1	28	Simulate Game
Tennessee Titans	28.7	19	Boxscore
@ Philadelphia Eagles	71.3	27	Simulate Game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	29.9	21	Boxscore
@ Chicago Bears	70.1	28	Simulate Game
Washington Redskins	33.7	20	Boxscore
@ San Francisco 49ers	66.3	25	Simulate Game
New York Jets	35.0	19	Boxscore
@ Buffalo Bills	65.0	24	Simulate Game
Detroit Lions	35.7	20	Boxscore
@ New England Patriots	64.3	25	Simulate Game
St. Louis Rams	37.0	23	Boxscore
@ San Diego Chargers	63.0	27	Simulate Game
Miami Dolphins	46.5	22	Boxscore
@ Denver Broncos	53.5	23	Simulate Game
Baltimore Ravens	48.6	25	Boxscore
@ New Orleans Saints	51.4	26	Simulate Game
Cincinnati Bengals	49.5	22	Boxscore
@ Houston Texans	50.5	23	Simulate Game
Arizona Cardinals	59.8	23	Boxscore
@ Seattle Seahawks	40.2	19	Simulate Game
Dallas Cowboys	62.3	28	Boxscore
@ New York Giants	37.7	24	Simulate Game
Cleveland Browns	62.3	25	Boxscore
@ Atlanta Falcons	37.7	20	Simulate Game
Green Bay Packers	69.9	25	Boxscore
@ Minnesota Vikings	30.1	18	Simulate Game
Kansas City Chiefs	84.5	27	Boxscore
@ Oakland Raiders	15.5	14	Simulate Game