NFL player prop: Walker picks up the pace

Although Arizona and Seattle are viewed as division rivals, neither franchise was even part of the NFC West at the turn of the millennium. A realignment in 2002 moved the Cardinals over from the NFC East — an affiliation stemming from their days in St. Louis — and the Seahawks became the only team to switch conferences, transitioning from the AFC West. As these now-familiar foes meet for the first time this season, a Year 2000 arrival carries our support for top prop:

The bet: Over 95½ rushing and receiving yards for Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (FanDuel)

Having just turned 23 on Friday, Walker is merely entering his prime as an all-purpose back. He accounted for 1,660 yards from scrimmage as a rookie despite missing two games and seeing limited work for the first month.

Facing Arizona twice last year was great for Walker’s stats. He made his first pro start against them in Week 6 and combined for 110 yards, with 97 of them coming on the ground. Three weeks later, he increased his total to 129 yards and doubled his touchdowns with a pair of scores.

This version of the Cardinals owns the ninth-worst run defense, allowing 133 rushing yards per game. They rank only two spots better versus the pass, and Walker has proven capable in that realm too, posting a career-high 59 receiving yards in Week 3.

With rookie backup Zach Charbonnet unlikely to play because of a hamstring injury, Walker will get plenty of opportunities — and triple-digit yardage should be the result once again.