It is not an understatement to say the Seattle Seahawks likely saved their season with their 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. There are still plenty of games left on the calendar, but there is a world of difference between falling to 4-6 versus improving to 5-5, especially when two other division rivals have the same record.
Seattle getting back into the mix with a win in Week 11 is made even more important because now it sets up a titanic showdown in Week 12, as the division-leading Arizona Cardinals come to Lumen Field. It will be the first meeting between these rivals this year. The winner of this game will either solidify their top spot, or move into first place.
The Cardinals have seemingly come out of nowhere this season. Despite starting the year 2-4, Arizona is currently on a four-game winning streak. Before going into their Bye Week, they dispatched their last two opponents by a combined score of 60-15.
If we are talking about what is or is not an understatement, saying the Red Birds are red hot definitely counts as one.
The Seahawks have won their last five-straight games against Arizona, including narrowly escaping with one to conclude the 2023 season. Seattle needed a victory to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, but were being shutout in the second half against the Cards.
Arizona had built a 20-13 lead in the fourth quarter, and were looking to extend it, but kicker Matt Prater missed a 43-yard field goal wide right. Geno Smith completed his fifth game-winning drive of the season when he led Seattle on a four-play, 67 yard possession which ended with a touchdown and two-point conversion. The Seahawks left the desert with a win when Prater missed yet another field goal as time expired, this time from 51-yards out.
The Cardinals are certainly far more formidable this year than they have been in the last two, and present a unique challenge to Seattle. For the past month they’ve easily looked like the most consistently good team in the division, and won’t be anything resembling pushovers. They are talented and well coached.
Should the Seahawks lose, they’ll be right back below .500 once again, continuing their up and down 2024. But if they win, and if the Rams lose on Sunday Night Football to the visiting Eagles, Seattle can move back into first place. Plenty is at stake in Week 12 for both squads.
Get your popcorn ready.
