Arizona Cardinals: Getting to know the 2019 Seahawks

We had a chance to interview Lee Vowell, site expert for FanSided’s 12th ManRising ahead of the Arizona Cardinals-Seattle Seahawks game on Sunday

It is safe to say we know a lot about the Seattle Seahawks already.  However when they get together with the Arizona Cardinals, anything can happen.  It seems to be a year to year proposition.

Last year the Seahawks won both games close.  The Cardinals had chances to win each, even lead the one in Glendale and were tied late in the 2018 season finale in Seattle.

However its a new crew in Arizona with a new head coach and quarterback.  A quarterback by the way who has drawn comparisons to Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Its been 7 years since the Seahawks have lost a game in Glendale, Russell Wilson’s NFL regular-season debut.  Let’s see what Vowell thinks about the two teams now.

Raising Zona: The Cardinals can’t cover tight ends, at all. So as you can see not much has changed from years past. The Seahawks signed Luke Willson this week. Do you think that has anything to do with it or is it just a coincidence?

12th Man Rising: This is a question I had not thought about. I think it is just a coincidence. The Willson signing had more to do with the Seahawks filling a need after trading free agent to be Nick Vannett for a fifth round pick. That said, Will Dissly is developing into a very good tight end and might have a big day against the Cardinals.

RZ: Like the Cardinals, a case can be made for being 0-3 or 3-0. They almost made the comeback complete last week. What happened against the Saints at home last week?

12th: Seattle shot themselves in the foot more than I have ever seen in all the years I have been watching the Seahawks. They had coaching mistakes, stupid penalties, bad punting, a bad fumble. None of these things should be expected to be repeated every week. Still, this offense is shaping up to be another one where Russell Wilson’s greatness has to carry the load and that isn’t the way the offense was designed.

RZ: What do Seahawks fans think about the comparisons people keep making between Russell Wilson and the Cardinals Kyler Murray?

12th: I think 12s see it more as people finally giving Wilson his due as a great quarterback. 8 years ago Murray doesn’t go in the first round, let alone number one overall. The reason he does is because Wilson has shown what players of his skill set and size can do. My only worry about Murray is that he isn’t built the same as Wilson is is stouter. Murray is taking a beating and that is difficult for a rookie quarterback.

RZ: What are you expecting to see from the Seahawks offense on Sunday against a defense that is giving up passing yardage like its going out of style?

12th: What I would love to see from the Seahawks is to start fast and gain yards and points. They have failed to do that this year. But I also want to see them get back to running with success and play Seattle football. Wilson has shown he can put the offense on his shoulders, but that isn’t fair to him and the Seahawks won’t reach their offensive potential that way. They need Chris Carson to stop fumbling and get over 100 yards on Sunday.

RZ: Your predictions for the game and why?

12th: I have as a follower of the Seahawks a bad feeling about this game. As you said earlier, the Cardinals have been in every game. I think Seattle starts slowly again and the Cardinals gain momentum and start to believe they can win and do 27-23.

So, Vowell picks the Cardinals and I picked the Seahawks in his interview questions.  Interesting, but it would seem neither of us yet have full confidence in our respective teams.

In other words, it will probably be another classic close Seahawks-Cardinals matchup.  It should be a fun one as always though.