Last December, Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks tasted defeat for the first time at CenturyLink Field in Wilson’s young career. The momentum the Cardinals have built since that victory is virtually unmatched in the NFL - at least in terms of the regular season. Arizona visits the Pacific Northwest again this Sunday to take on the Seahawks and has a chance to really put away the champions. If Seattle loses on Sunday, they are essentially knocked out of the race for the NFC West divisional crown and their chances to make the playoffs decrease dramatically. The 12th Man in Seattle will be bringing the noise on Sunday in what essentially has become the first of many "must win" games for the Seahawks.
Despite the loss of QB Carson Palmer, the Cardinals continue to find ways to win games behind backup Drew Stanton and a rock solid defense. At 9-1, the Cardinals are sitting pretty at the top of the NFC West, holding a three game cushion on the Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers. Last week, Seattle began one of the toughest stretches of football that you can imagine when looking at schedules with a loss in Kansas City. They will now face the Cardinals and 49ers twice, sandwiched by game in Philadelphia over the course of the next five weeks. The season truly is on the line each and every week.
Here is a preview of what to expect when each club has the ball this Sunday at CenturyLink Field:
When the Seahawks are on offense
The Seahawks must get something out of their passing game this weekend. Last in the NFL at 191.8 yards per game, the Seahawks Wide Receivers are struggling to get open down the field. It doesn’t help when the play-calling from the sideline is questionable at best. Seahawks fans will quickly point out the league leading 171.8 yards per game the team is averaging on the ground. However, with a 6-4 record and the season on the line before Thanksgiving, it is hard to against the fact that Seattle must get more production out of their arieal attack.
The Cardinals are the third ranked rushing defense in the NFL, allowing only 80.5 yards per game. Their pass defense however is ranked 29th in the league, giving up 263.2 yards per game in the air. Hence the reason this would be a good time for Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin, and company to get going for the Seahawks offense. Arizona’s defense looks very similar to what the Seahawks were able to do last year - bend but never break and come up with the turnover at opportune times.
While banged up, Marshawn Lynch has been carrying more than his fair share for the Seahawks offense over the past few weeks. Lynch is tied with Denver TE Julius Thomas for the most touchdowns in the NFL with 12. He has also moved up to fourth in rushing yards on the season, with 813 entering this week’s action. The Seahawks offensive line will be without Center Max Unger again after he was injured in last week’s game in Kansas City. Unger has played a pivotal role in getting the Seahawks ground game back in the groove over the past two weeks.
Advantage: Cardinals
When the Cardinals are on offense
Head Coach Bruce Arians is calling all of the offensive plays and more often than not, he is making the right call at the right time. Despite losing Palmer, the Cardinals have barely lost a step thus far with Drew Stanton. That is important as the Cardinals are last in the NFL in rushing at just under 80 yards per game.
The Seahawks should be able to contain the Cardinals run game, despite missing Brandon Mebane and being gashed in Kansas City last weekend. If the Cardinals rush for over 100 yards on Sunday, Seattle is going to be in a lot of trouble not only this weekend but for the next month. The injury to Mebane is critical to the middle of the line of scrimmage and the Chiefs were able to exploit the Seahawks’ defense last weekend.
Assuming Seattle can pull it together on the run game - aided by the return of MLB Bobby Wagner - look for the Legion of Boom to come up with one or two interceptions and have a heavy impact on the outcome of the game.
Advantage: Seahawks
Special Teams
While the Cardinals aren’t much better according to the latest DVOA rankings, Seattle’s Special Teams units have been under-whelming at best. While Punter Jon Ryan and Kicker Steven Hauschka continue to have strong campaigns, the Seahawks’ coverage and return games have been close to dreadful for much of the season.
If Arizona is going to win in Seattle for the second year in a row, expect a game changing play on Special Teams to be the reason why.
Advantage: Cardinals
Final Score Prediction: Seahawks 27, Cardinals 24
All of this being said, it is always tough to beat Seattle at home. With the season on the line, expect the 12th Man to rise up and help lead the Seahawks to a hard fought victory. The Cardinals are great, but hard to bet against Seattle here.