The Seattle Seahawks are on the precipice of wrapping up the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If they take care of business in weeks 16 and 17, a cushy (relatively speaking) playoff slate of a first-round bye and two possible home playoff games await the men in blue before their planned rendezvous in New Jersey on February 2.
The Seahawks are one win or a San Francisco 49ers loss away from clinching the No. 1 seed, thanks to their dismantling of the fading New York Giants at Met Life Stadium last Sunday by a score of 23 – 0.
That one needed win? It should come from this Sunday’s opponent in the CLink, the Arizona Cardinals.
Not so fast
The Cardinals have their own agenda. Their 2013 playoff fortunes are far from settled and they intend to keep their hot streak going. Since the Seahawks defeated the red birds in their home by a score of 34 – 22, the Cardinals have reeled off a run of six out of their last seven games.
With a record of 9 – 5, the Cardinals, in most years, would have a solid grasp of a playoff spot. Not so in 2013. They need to win out and receive a little help to earn a playoff berth.
As it stands, the surprising Cardinals are on the outside looking in, but their nose is pressed up against the glass. The final two Wild Card playoff spots are currently held by the 10 – 4 Carolina Panthers and the 10 – 4 49ers.
Strength vs. strength
Fans of NFL defense should make the Cardinals vs. the Seahawks appointment viewing. The No. 1 rated overall defense and the No. 1 overall pass defense (Seahawks) will be on display against the No. 1 overall rushing defense and No. 7 overall defense (Cardinals). Averaging a mere 83.2 rushing yards per game allowed, the Cardinals are the top test for the Seahawks’ second-ranked rushing attack, which averages 141 yards per game.
Curiously, Marshawn Lynch, Mr. Beast Mode himself, has fared worse among defenses not named the Arizona Cardinals than he has against the No. 1 rushing defense. Lynch racked up 91 yards rushing against the Cardinals on Oct. 17. Since then, yards have been a bit tougher to come by. Lynch has totaled 72 yards or fewer on the ground since Nov. 17, including 47 against the New York Giants. This recent stretch only included one top-12 rushing defense, the sixth-ranked 49ers. Not the kind of ground momentum the Seahawks envisioned this late in the season.
Something has got to give. Expect it to be more of the same as last time the two divisional foes met, with more than a few flying helmets and after-the-play skirmishes. With Seattle’s more mortal recent run game matched up against the top rushing defense, expect the Seahawks to rely more on the arm of Russell Wilson to decide this game.
Banged up and winning
Though the Seahawks have been deservedly lauded for their ability to overcome injuries early on in the season, the same could be said for the Cardinals. At this stage of the season, the red birds enter the hostile confines of CenturyLink Field with a fairly healthy team, but have a major concern with their top offensive threat, all-world wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was knocked out of last week’s game against the Tennessee Titans with a concussion and is uncertain to be in the lineup on Sunday against the Seahawks.
Other notable current injury concerns of the Cardinals include flashy rusher Andre Ellington (5.9 YPC), who is questionable with a thigh injury, starting tight end Rob Housler (questionable, knee) and quarterback Carson Palmer, who is probable with an ankle injury. Should one or more of these key offensive threats not be able to suit up on Sunday, the odds of Arizona coming into Seattle and stealing a win go down dramatically.
The merry-go-round
As busy as ever, the Seahawks personnel department is still adding and subtracting to the Seahawks roster as they tune up for the playoffs. To the surprise of few, Brandon Browner’s roster spot, now vacant since his suspension has been upheld, has been filled with the addition of practice squad receiver Bryan Walters. Percy Harvin remains out — likely until the playoffs. The oft-rumored return of Antoine Winfield to the Seahawks has reached its end. Winfield has decided to stay retired at this point.
Seattle can wrap up their playoff positioning with a win against the Cardinals. Expect the Cardinals to lay it all out on the line — as if their season were on the brink. Because it is.
Julian Rogers is a freelance writer and communications consultant. Follow him on Twitter (@mrturophile), or connect with him on LinkedIn and Google+.
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