Cardinals at Seahawks
THE STORY: Two wounded NFC West birds meet when the Arizona Cardinals clash with the host Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. However, Seattle’s bruises are a little deeper. The Seahawks were shut out 24-0 by Pittsburgh last Sunday, getting outplayed on both sides of the football and allowing 421 yards on defense. That wasn’t much better than the 455 yards Arizona leaked in a 22-21 loss at Washington. At least the Cardinals showed some fight, countering with a 133-yard performance from WR Larry Fitzgerald.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Cardinals -3, O/U 43
ABOUT CARDINALS (1-1): Fitzgerald and new QB Kevin Kolb are getting very comfortable with each other only two games into the season. Kolb found his marquee target seven times against the Redskins, including a 73-yard TD bullet. However, Arizona’s defense surrendered 10 points in the final five minutes of the game to hand the win to the Redskins. The Cardinals’ aggressive defense has produced three interceptions and five sacks but finds itself out of position more often than not. The unit is expected to slow things down and simplify versus Seattle.
ABOUT SEAHAWKS (0-2): The Seahawks’ offense remains the worst in the NFL under new QB Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson didn’t pose much of a threat to the Steelers, passing for 159 yards and failing to connect on a pass for more than 17 yards. Head coach Pete Carroll is hoping to open up his air attack at home this week, but is sacrificing pocket protection in order to free up receivers. Jackson has been sacked 10 times in the first two games. Seattle’s not getting much help from the ground game, which is last in the NFL at 47.5 yards per game.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Arizona RB Beanie Wells is quietly putting together a solid start to the season. He’s rushed for 183 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry – seventh highest in the NFL.
2. Seattle WR Sidney Rice could make his regular-season debut just in time to ramp up the Seahawks’ passing game. Rice missed the first two games due to a torn labrum in his shoulder and was back at practice this week.
3. Seattle won both meetings with Arizona last season, but has lost four of the last six games and trails the all-time series against their division foe 13-11.