Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals: Week 8 Preview
By Erik Lambert
One of the top rivalries going in the NFL right now, the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals are ready to battle for supremacy in the NFC West.
There is nothing better in this sport than seeing two talented, well-coached, rival teams do battle on a field for the chance to take sole command of a division. This is a cornerstone of what makes football so much fun to watch. Pete Carroll and Bruce Arians are sure to have their troops ready. The battle to follow will be an intense one.
Background:
Arians doesn’t pull punches with his comments. So when he got asked by the media about why the Cardinals have struggled so much with the Seahawks at home, his answer was fairly succinct. “They beat the s–t out of us.” Indeed Seattle has not lost a game in Arizona since 2012. They are a perfect 3-0 over the past three seasons. This is an injustice that Arians is eager to correct, but can his team summon the willpower to do so?
Injury Report:
Carson Palmer (hamstring) – This is far and away the injury to monitor for the Cardinals. Everybody knows if Carson Palmer can’t play that they have no chance. Drew Stanton isn’t going to be the Seahawks. That’s just a fact. Palmer is questionable for the game. Initial belief is he’ll be able to play but odds are it could be a game-time decision depending how he’s feeling.
Kam Chancellor (groin) – Another comeback by Wilson and the offense rescued the Seahawks defense against Atlanta. Again they looked more mortal than usual without their star safety and leader Kam Chancellor. He should be out again in this game with a nagging groin problem. Seattle will have to work extra hard to mask that loss, one Arizona will try to exploit.
Key Matchup:
Christine Michael vs. Deone Bucannon
It’s been quite the career turnaround for Christine Michael. After being traded by the team not too long ago, he returned and emerged to become their new go-to running back. With 354 yards he is averaged 4.4 per carry while scoring four touchdowns. Seattle will be leaning on him to balance the offense. Deone Bucannon has become one of the Cardinals’ most reliable tacklers and a key part of their run defense. So he’s sure to see Michael plenty. Whomever gets the best of these meeting will help decide the outcome.
Prediction: Seahawks win 30-17
Historically Russell Wilson loves playing in Arizona. He always seems to do well in that stadium. The Cardinals defense has been inconsistent all year. With the Seahawks defense unlikely to give up much, he’ll be free to make the plays needed to deliver a comfortable victory and command of the NFC West.