Cardinals vs Seahawks: 5 questions, preview

RZ: I see Doug Baldwin returns this week from his injury. Do you expect him to make an impact at all?

12th Man: Baldwin is Russell Wilson’s security blanket. The two have an instinctual relationship and seem to always know where the other is on the field. This is why so many of Wilson’s craziest plays have gone to Baldwin.

Baldwin may have the best hands in football, too. If he is healthy enough to play, he will make a play or two. The big question if Baldwin returns is how much the Cardinals scheme to cover him.

Tyler Lockett is a good receiver and off to a good start, so any focus on Baldwin is less focus on Lockett. Wilson and the Seahawks are better just having Baldwin on the field.

RZ: What Seattle team do you think we will see on Sunday? The one we saw in Chicago or the one that handled Dallas just fine last week?

12th Man: I think which Seahawks team we see if based on offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s play-calling. Pete Carroll admitted after week two versus Chicago that he may have gotten into Schottenheimer’s ear too much with which plays to run.

Carroll said in the third quarter against Chicago he thought Seattle should take a shot at a big play. This translated into six plays in the third quarter and every play a pass. Seattle can’t win this way in 2018.

Carroll appears to have left Schottenheimer alone in week three and Seattle ran the ball 37 times. If the Seahawks decide to run consistently, they’re fine. If they decide to get pass happy again, they won’t be fine.

RZ: Which leads me into who do you think wins this game and why?

12th Man: My fear for this game is that Josh Rosen will give Arizona the kind of spark that Baker Mayfield did for the Browns. Because on paper, at least, Seattle should win this game.

The Seahawks have the better quarterback and the defense is playing pretty well. Seattle had its best performance of the season in week three and it was one they should build on. They simply beat Dallas. They should beat Arizona. Unless Rosen has a great game…I think Seattle wins 20-14.

Prediction/analysis

I gave him answers to his questions as well over at 12th Man Rising.  My prediction for the game was Seattle 23 Arizona 17.  Of course I hope, we all hope, I am wrong.

Rosen should give the team a spark.  However it is his first start.  As I said the other day, let’s not expect miracles here.

Seattle is a tough first opponent for Rosen.  They are tough as it is without having to worry that it is the Seahawks on the other end of the ball.

The Cardinals have five players questionable for Sunday’s game.  They include receiver Larry Fitzgerald and nose tackle Robert Nkemdiche.  Hopefully both will be able to suit up on Sunday afternoon.