Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins 2017: Prediction, Betting Odds For Week 9

With the 2017 NFL season reaching the halfway point, the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins are headed in opposite directions. That could result in a one-sided contest when the two teams meet in Week 9 at CenturyLink Field.

The betting odds favor Seattle, who is a seven-point home favorite, via OddsShark. The Seahawks have won their last four games, and the Redskins are on a two-game losing streak.

Plenty of experts predicted Seattle to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII. They began the year among the favorites in the conference, having won at least one playoff game in each of the last five years. The Seahawks are playing like a team that’s poised to extend that streak this postseason, while signs are pointing toward Washington missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

After winning three of their first five games, Washington has been hit with numerous injuries that might be too much for them to overcome. The Redskins were without three of their starting offensive linemen in the team’s 33-19 Week 8 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and Washington might be less healthy when the team arrives in Seattle.

Tight end Jordan Reed will likely be out against Seattle after suffering a concussion. Defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis needs surgery to fix a broken bone in his hand. Those latest injuries, plus others, add up to 13 injured players for Washington, nine of which are starters.

“We only have seven guys that we can put inactive. That's the major issue that we have right now,” Washington head coach Jay Gruden told reporters Monday. “We have to try to get six of those guys up -- at least -- somehow.”

A healthy Redskins’ team would have a hard enough time winning in Seattle. The Seahawks are 3-0 at home, coming off a 41-38 victory over the Houston Texans.

Deshaun Watson continued his sensational rookie season for the Texans with four more touchdown passes against the Seahawks. The quarterback, however, was intercepted three times. Don’t expect Seattle’s secondary to have another poor game, even with safety Earl Thomas unlikely to play, with Kirk Cousins missing so many key pieces.

Prior to their Week 8 win, Seattle had held three straight opponents to 18 points or fewer. The Seahawks still rank fifth in terms of opponents’ passer rating, and the team’s pass rush started to come alive against Houston by sacking Watson five times.

Seattle’s defense doesn’t need to be perfect, considering how well the team is moving the ball. Most of the credit goes to Russell Wilson, who continues to prove that he’s one of the best quarterbacks in football. Playing behind a shaky offensive line (Seattle traded for left tackle Duane Brown Monday), Wilson has a 100.4 passer rating. He has 14 touchdown passes in his last five games.

The Redskins have allowed 34 and 33 points in their last two games. Washington hasn’t held an opponent to fewer than 24 points since they beat the Oakland Raiders in Week 3.

That likely means Sunday’s game is going over the over/under of 45, and Seattle might not have much trouble covering the point spread.

Prediction: Seattle over Washington, 30-19