The Arizona Cardinals take on the Seattle Seahawks on NBC Sunday Night Football from Seattle
The Arizona Cardinals go northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks in the first of two tilts between the teams. The Seahawks (4-4), coming off of their bye, won their last game on November 1st 13-12 against the Dallas Cowboys. The Arizona Cardinals (6-2), also coming off the bye, took care of the Cleveland Browns 34-20 in Cleveland.
History: The most recent history hasn’t been kind to the Cardinals in this rivalry. The Seahawks won the game in Seattle 19-3 last year and then ran all over the Cardinals in Glendale 35-6 in week 16 of the 2014 season. The last Cardinals victory over the Seahawks was in December 2013, a 17-10 victory, despite Carson Palmer throwing four interceptions.
What: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
When: 6:30 PM Arizona Time (8:30 PM EST)
TV: NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tafoya)
Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Dave Pasch, Ron Wolfley, Paul Calvisi); Sirius/XM Radio Channel 83, Internet 800 (Cardinals feed), Channel 93, Internet 826 (Seahawks feed)
Keys to victory:
The Cardinals offense vs the Seattle defense
The offense has been a machine this season for the Cardinals. With so many weapons, you never know where they will go. In their last game, the Cardinals gave the ball to running back Chris Johnson 30 times and ended up with 110 yards, his second-consecutive 100-yard rushing game. If he has a third on Sunday night, then he will set a franchise record.
The biggest concern on the Cardinals offense will be on the offensive line and with their receiving core. Center Lyle Sendlein is questionable. Also questionable is receiver John Brown. Both will be game-time decisions on Sunday night.
The Seattle defense is second in the NFL, giving up 284.9 yards-per-game. With the Cardinals offense racking up 417.4 yards-per-game, third-best in the NFL, something will give on Sunday night. I think they will likely meet somewhere in the middle.
The Cardinals defense vs the Seattle offense
The Cardinals defense is right behind the Seattle defense, third in the NFL giving up 312.8 yards-per-game. On paper, it would seem the Cardinals would have the edge here, however don’t forget the defense has had lapses at times. They gave up 25 to the Detroit Lions, 25 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and 20 to the Browns. As we’ve seen it only took the Seahawks 13 points on offense to beat each the Lions and the Cowboys.
The Cardinals key here will be getting to quarterback Russell Wilson and then containing him. Last season Wilson rushed for 88 and 73 yards respectively against the Cardinals. Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell could have had at least seven sacks in the first game up in Seattle last season. He gets close but can’t finish the deal. I think by Cardinals coach Bruce Arians calling him out over the bye week, that should get his attention coming into this matchup.