Seahawks week 4: Staff predictions versus the Cardinals

The Seahawks face their first divisional game of the year against the Cardinals this week. This is what our staff thinks will happen.

The Seahawks will be facing a new quarterback in Kyler Murray, a new head coach in Kliff Kingsbury and a new offensive playing style in the air raid for the Cardinals. If you want to read more about breaking down Arizona’s playing style and how to effectively counter them, read my article here.

Will the Seahawks be able to leave Glendale with a win? Our staff is 4-1 in favor of a Seahawks victory.

Blake Waldron, Contributor

The Seahawks have to bounce back this week and they will. As we have learned throughout the Russell Wilson era, a frustrating loss is usually followed by a convincing win. I would expect nothing different here. While I am concerned with Seattle’s commitment to a 4-3 base defense against Arizona’s air raid offense, I have enough confidence in this defensive unit to get the job done. Expect Will Dissly to have another big day as the Cardinals surrender on average 106 yards and a touchdown to opposing tight ends.

Prediction: Seahawks 33, Cardinals 23

Lee Vowell, Co-Expert

The Seahawks have won in Arizona every year since 2012. They also have a recent history of losing important players to injury there too, like Will Dissly and Earl Thomas in 2018 and Kam Chancellor the year before that. My hope is that Seattle gets the win, and no one gets hurt. I think Seattle is the better team, but I think the Cardinals get the win because the Seahawks will start slow offensively again and the Cardinals will start to believe they can win. Kyler Murray has a decent day and Seattle’s running game doesn’t.

Prediction: Cardinals 27 Seahawks 23

Todd Vandenberg, Co-Expert

There is absolutely no way the Seahawks will make nearly as many crucial errors against the Cardinals as they did last week. The punting miscue, Carson’s fumble, unbelievably bad clock management…I could go on, but I’m feeling a bit sick again. If Carson doesn’t clean up his game, the Hawks will go to the hook without hesitation. I’m pretty certain that Pete Carroll and the rest of his staff took a math refresher this week as well, with special attention to the fact that two is greater than one. As for the Cardinals, they always play the Seahawks tough. But they’re just overmatched in this game. Russell Wilson has played lights out this season, and Arizona’s secondary has given up nine touchdown passes already. On the flip side, they’ve allowed rookie Kyler Murray to get sacked 16 times. I believe Seattle will bounce back in this game.

Prediction: Seahawks 25, Cardinals 13.

Colby Patnode, Contributor and Host of the 12th Man Rising Podcast

Here we go again. If there is one thing you can count on when Seattle goes down to Arizona, it’s that something weird is going to happen. It’s inevitable.

So, while we wait for that event to pop up in our face like a jack in the box. This should be a really interesting matchup with the Cardinals air raid offense against the Seahawks base defense. The porous Cardinals secondary against Russel Wilson. Young coach in his first go around vs the oldest coach in the league.

There are so many fun matchups and this game, it could go either way. Arizona is 0-2-1 but has played okay. The Seahawks are 2-1 and have played, well, okay. Call me crazy, but I’ll bet on experience in this one. Russell parts through the Red Sea and Pete teaches the rook a thing or two.

Prediction: Seahawks 31 Cardinals26.

Geoff Shull, Contributor

The Cardinals are the most pass heavy team in the NFL this year. Combine that with an average Seattle secondary and we have ourselves a game. I’m looking for the defensive line to finally break out. The Cardinals have allowed the 2nd most sacks in the NFL at 16. Our Defensive line has too much talent on paper for this to be a continued lull. I think Seattle will leave Glendale with the victory.

Prediction: Seahawks 31 Cardinals 20