Seahawks vs. Cardinals: Gameday Predictions
The Seattle Seahawks 2014 season may come down to this.
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With only a few games left to play and the rest of the NFC playing well, Seattle has very little room for error the rest of this season if they want to play in January.
A loss on Sunday to the division-leading Arizona Cardinals could eliminate Seattle’s hopes of, not only defending their Super Bowl title, but making the playoffs altogether.
The Cardinals know how to beat Seattle at CenturyLink Field and their strong defense might lead them to another win on Sunday.
Here are some other predictions for Sunday’s game:
1. Marshawn Lynch rushes for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Arizona has the 3rd-best run defense in the league, allowing only 80 yards per game. They have held their own against DeMarco Murray, LeSean McCoy and others this year and on Sunday it will be Lynch’s turn to try to find the Cardinals’ kryptonite.
He won’t have a terrible game but he won’t have the same game he did last week against the Chiefs.
I expect something short of a 100-yard performance but he should get into the end zone at least once on Sunday.
2. The Cardinals defense forces two turnovers.
Arizona’s defense has been playing lights out since allowing 41 points to the Denver Broncos in Week 5.
In each of their past four games they have forced at least one turnover and with Russell Wilson throwing the ball inaccurately lately, the Cardinals secondary might take advantage and pick off a pass or two.
The Cardinals defense reminds me of Seattle’s last season — intimidating, confident and tough.
Seattle’s declining offense has a very tough task ahead of them.
3. John Brown leads the Cardinals with seven catches, 85 yards and a touchdown.
Brown has been a pleasant surprise for the Cardinals this year.
Never heard of him? You will on Sunday.
With Larry Fitzgerald (strained MCL) a game-time decision, Brown could see even more targets this week and he has turned into one of Drew Stanton‘s favorite receivers.
The rookie from Pittsburg State has had 18 targets in the last two games and this season he has hauled in 34 catches for 468 yards and five touchdowns.
4. Cardinals beat Seahawks, 24-20.
This is the first time this season I am not picking the Seahawks to win this game, and it pains me to say this but they are going to have to really outwork the Cardinals to win this one.
Arizona has a better defense, more well-rounded offense and have more confidence than the Seahawks do right now.
Everything seems to be going the Cardinals way and they know they can begin thoughts of wrapping up the division with a win.
Unless Seattle comes out and plays like it’s 2013, they are going to lose a heartbreaker to the Cards.