3 Bold Predictions: Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks – Week 18
By Sion Fawkes
Arizona’s run defense does it again
Besides one long carry in Week 16, the Cardinals held league MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor in check. Last week, they held Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard to 1.78 and 3.0 yards per carry, respectively. Together, the two running backs totaled 25 rushing yards on 12 attempts.
This week, they face Rashaad Penny, a former first-round pick who has become a revelation since mid-December. In three of his last four contests, Penny averaged at least 6.8 yards per carry, and has rushed for at least 135 yards. Over the past four weeks, Penny has 481 rushing yards.
The guy has played like Derrick Henry, and that plays into the Cardinals’ hands. The Cardinals contained Henry and for the most part, Taylor, in 2021. They also held off the Cowboys’ two-man rushing attack better than most. So what’s one more in holding off Penny? Look for the Cardinals to hold Penny to 3.5 yards per carry or less in the season finale.