The Arizona Cardinals play the Seattle Seahawks on the road on Sunday, wrapping up a four-game stretch in which they have played all three of their divisional road games.
They hope to avoid dropping to 0-3 in divisional play.
Quarterback Kyler Murray is nearing a return to the starting lineup but it won’t happen this weekend, although safety Budda Baker could return from injured reserve.
The Seahawks are favored by more than a touchdown.
To help preview this Week 7 matchup, Seahawks Wire managing editor Tim Weaver takes us “behind enemy lines” to know more about the Seahawks this first time around this year.
He answers some of my questions below.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Surprises, disappointments
What has been most surprising and most disappointing so far this season for the Seahawks?
The biggest surprise collectively is Seattle’s radically improved run defense. Last year this was their Achilles heel and only two teams gave up more yards per carry. This season it’s been the complete opposite. Heading into Week 7 only the Lions, Eagles and Browns are giving up fewer yards per game on the ground.
The most disappointing part for me has been the lack of growth in some areas offensively. Shane Waldron is in his third year as offensive coordinator and there have been recurring problems during that time. Once again, the Seahawks have the worst screen game in the entire league – that’s been going on for about 2.5 seasons now. They’re also really bad on third down and in the red zone. There is just an obscene amount of talent on this roster – so it’s not the players’ fault. Waldron has a top-10 QB, a superb wide receiver corps, three good tight ends and a couple of awesome young running backs – there should be no excuse to continue to struggle in those areas.
What's new? What's the same?
What is new about what the Seahawks are doing this season? What things haven’t changed?
Perhaps the biggest strategic change has been their willingness to embrace the blitz. Through the years no matter who the defensive coordinator has been this team has preferred to rush four, sometimes to their detriment. Starting in Week 3 Clint Hurtt began blitzing at a much higher rate than we’ve seen from this team at any point in the Pete Carroll era. It worked really well against the poor offensive lines of the Panthers and the Giants, but not quite so much against the Bengals. Still, it’s a huge reason why their pass rush has improved.
A lot of things haven’t changed – including their use of tight ends in the passing game. I was expecting that to change with Jaxon Smith-Njigba coming in and that there would be a lot more 13 personnel but that Waldron hasn’t really integrated JSN yet. Fortunately, they’re doing really well with two tight ends on the field, so there’s no reason to stop doing that. Defensively, this is still a very zone-heavy scheme. Even though they have the right guys at cornerback to play man effectively they are still playing more zone than any other team (84%).
Rookies, newcomers
How are the rookies and new additions doing so far?
The new additions are really just old Seahawks they brought back, namely Bobby Wagner and Jarran Reed, who’s now playing nose tackle. Both are playing at an extremely high level – which has been integral to the run defense improving. Their big outside free agent signing Dre’Mont Jones started slow but has since come on strong, too.
For the second straight year the rookies look really good. Mostly that hype belongs to fifth overall pick Devon Witherspoon, who’s blown away our wildest expectations. We knew that he was a tremendous cover corner coming in, but he’s also proven to be an extremely physical player for a DB. He’s been potent as a pass rusher and a willing tackler and has made plays all over the field. To be this good through less than five games is stunning for lack of a better word. We could be looking at an all-time great corner here.
Matchups
Which matchups against the Cardinals are you most excited about and which ones are you most concerned about?
I’m always excited about Seattle’s wide receivers going against an overmatched group of cornerbacks. While JSN hasn’t had his breakout game yet it will come eventually. Meanwhile, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are their usual dominant selves and they even have a really strong No. 4 option now in Jake Bobo.
As for the biggest concern, right now that’s any NFL pass rush going against our offensive line. Injuries have hit that unit really hard. While Charles Cross is back at left tackle, right tackle Abe Lucas is still out and his replacement (Jake Curhan) has been the biggest weakness. They may be desperate enough to elevate Jason Peters from the practice squad this week. Either way, Zaven Collins could really go off.
Predictions
Who wins? How does it go down?
’m predicting this is going to be one of those really ugly classic Arizona at Seattle games. Lots of punting, injuries, and runs up the middle for no gain. Ultimately it could come down to Jason Myers against Matt Prater, which is a pretty decent kicker faceoff but doesn’t make for great TV. Seattle’s defense is going in the right direction and their offensive line is keeping a low lid on their ceiling on that side, so I’d bet the under. Seahawks 18, Cardinals 17.
