Arizona Cardinals: A Big Day in Seattle
By Cyle Gill
The Arizona Cardinals in Seattle and the 49ers taking on the Falcons are not something that you want to hear when the Cardinals are one game out of a wild card spot. Today the Cardinals defense needs to contain QB Russell Wilson, who has a perfect 14-0 record at home. If the Cardinals want to keep their playoff hopes alive, the team needs to give Wilson his first home loss who`s winning percentage is (.767, 23-7), second to Tom Brandy`s (.772, 146-43) among active quarter backs.
This Cardinals team is much improved from their last meeting in October and has to be if they are going to win in Seattle. Back in October, Wilson threw three touchdown passes and had a passer rating of 122.1 percent, while Marshawn Lynch rushed for 91 yards. In Lynch`s last four games, he has averaged only 54.5 yards rushing which could lead to turnovers for the Cardinals` secondary.
On top of the Cardinals` offense having to deal with the crowd noise, the offensive line will be taking on Cliff Avril who has 8.5 sacks, Chris Clemons (4.5), Michael Bennett (7.5), and Clinton McDonald (4.5).
Larry Fitzgerald should play today and if he does he needs to have a good game, he`s been shutdown by Richard Sherman the past three meeting and today`s match up is a must win for Fitz. The Cardinals needs to start fast or it`s going to be an up hill battle all day.
Both offensives have scored their most points in the second quarter of their games, Cardinals have 112 points in the second and the Seahawks have scored 131 points. The Seashawks` defense have given 105 points in the second quarter while giving up 22 in the first, 35 in the third, and 43 in the fourth. If the Cardinals want to win this game, they need to take a nice lead in the second quarter and make sure that both offense and defense plays better than their last series each time they take the field.
Rashad Johnson is probably out for this game. Even is he is, the secondary has nice depth and all should be well. Seahawks` RG Michael Bowie might be out as well, if so, rookie J.R. Sweezy will be taking on Darnell Dockett. Dockett can take on the best linemen in the league and it`s will be nice seeing him taking on a rookie.
Bruce Arians knows that today is a must need win and should do everything that needs to be done so the offense can score points. If I were Arians, I`d tell the Seahawks` defense to say hello to my little friend, Ryan Williams. Williams has`nt seen the field all year and hopefully today he will be let out of his cage.