To say that Sunday's game against the Cardinals is a must win would be an understatement. If the Seattle Seahawks want any chance of winning the NFC West, they must win this game.
Russell Wilson has said on multiple occasions that every week is a chance to go 1-0 and that’s exactly what the Seahawks must do against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. The Seahawks have the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL. It features a full plate of division games including Arizona twice, San Francisco twice, and a second game against the Rams.
Luckily for Seattle, this week’s game against the Cardinals will be taking place in the safety of CenturyLink Field, but (I hate to bring up old stuff) the Seahawks have already lost at home this season and Arizona handed them their only home loss last season. I know, I know – “That was then, this is now” or whatever, but this isn’t the same Seattle team; so I guess it really is now. Anyway, let’s get to know the NFC West leader and the Hawks next opponent.
The Arizona Cardinals have won six straight and are 9-1 for the first time since 1948 – when they were the Chicago Cardinals. Other notable things that happened in 1948:
- Porsche was founded.
- Velcro and the transistor radio were invented
- Scrabble was introduced
- Samuel L. Jackson was born. Imagine little baby Sam Jackson in a kangol hat and glasses. You love it.
Last week, the Cardinals faced the best defense in the NFL. Drew Stanton led them right down the field for a touchdown on the first drive (with the help of some defensive penalties, but that’s beside the point). On Arizona’s second drive, Stanton did the same thing. They scored two touchdowns in the first six minutes of the first quarter. However, the Lions defense woke up from their pre-winter slumber and those were the only points Arizona scored the remainder of the game.
Arizona’s defense was the star of the show, holding the Lions to only six points and Matthew Stafford without a touchdown pass (my fantasy team was not happy about this). Every team has that “next man up” mentality, it’s part of the game, but the Cardinals are doing what many teams can’t do with that mentality: win. This team finds ways to win even with some of their key players on both sides of the ball injured.
Arizona’s defense has been pretty solid across the board, except in the secondary, which may end up not being much of an issue considering Seattle’s pass offense is only better than two teams: the Chiefs and the Jets. Seattle held the Chiefs to only 108 passing yards last week, which is the fifth lowest total in an NFL game this season. But if Seattle can get their receivers more involved in the attack, and Russell can get out of this weird funk that a lot of fans have been feeling, the Hawks could certainly have the advantage come Sunday.
Sometimes it really doesn’t feel like Seattle is ranked third in total defense, but its defense is only getting healthier. Well, except for that giant loss of Brandon Mebane, who was clearly missed last week against Jamaal Charles. But I’m trying to instill some positivity in Seattle fans, who clearly need it (especially if you’re on Twitter).
Seattle’s sucess on offense has come through Marshawn Lynch, who has “carried” (see what I did there?) the Hawks the last few weeks. Seattle’s rushing attack comes in two forms, as Lynch is ranked third in rushing yards and Wilson 14th (Kaepernick is the next highest rushing QB – at 44). Arizona has only allowed an average of 80.4 rushing yards per game and only five rushing touchdowns this season, so the battle on the ground is going to be a nasty one that I can’t wait to watch.
The Hawks could find some success on defense if they can shake backup QB Drew Stanton. In his eight career starts, he’s thrown 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, not to mention his 53.6 completion percentage. So if Seattle’s defense can play inspired as they are known to do at home, clean up those uncharacteristic missed tackles from last week, and the LOB gets hot, Stanton could be in for a long day. Arizona ranks 30th in rushing yards, even with Ellington (who has been pretty okay for my fantasy squad), so there’s no reason Seattle can’t give the Cardinals a long day on the offensive side of the ball – and that might be the key to victory
As for injury concerns, head coach Pete Carroll said today that center Max Unger will be out three to four weeks with a high ankle sprain and a tweaked knee. Unger has been huge in Seattle’s running success the past few games, so look for Arizona to take advantage of whomever ends up as the Seahawks center this week. According to Field Gulls, fans should look for the Hawks to sign a center this week, possibly Lemuel Jeanpierre, who was placed on IR earlier this season but released with an injury settlement.
Carroll also said that linebacker Bobby Wagner could play Sunday.
As for Arizona’s injuries are concerned, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has an MCL sprain in his left knee, but plans to play Sunday.
Hey Seahawks fans, here’s some more positivity:
Needless to say, it’s going to be a tough, close divisional battle. The Seahawks are out to prove they’re not dead in the water. The Hawks pull out the win, but not by much.