Ranking the Seattle Seahawks' top rivalries of the NFC era
As the Seattle Seahawks begin training camp on their 49th season, they also begin their 23rd season in the NFC. That's right, the Seahawks are closing in on playing half their history as an NFC team as much as an AFC team.
The rivalries and battles with AFC West legends seem like a distant memory now, as the NFC has been kind to the Seahawks. Since 2002, the Seahawks have made the playoffs 15 times, they've won nine division titles, three conference championships, and the unforgettable Super Bowl XLVIII victory.
The success and playoff appearances has led to incredible battles, heartbreak, and some fascinating rivalries. With that in mind, we're ranking the top five rivalries that the Seahawks have gone to war against since jumping over to the NFC.
Ranking the Seahawks' top rivalries of the NFC era
5: Arizona Cardinals
Overall record 26-17-1 since 2002
Coming in at the fifth spot are the Arizona Cardinals. Despite the Cardinals being a division opponent, I actually have them behind two teams that are not NFC West foes. This is mostly due to the fact that the Cardinals have been pretty awful minus four or five seasons since 2002.
The first half-decade was dominated by the Mike Holmgren-led Seahawks until the lovable 2008 Cardinals team that was led by Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald (and nearly carried Arizona to a Super Bowl title) began to make this rivalry more competitive. While the Seahawks routinely had the upper hand, it was fun to watch so many games with one of the greatest wide receivers of all time in Fitzgerald. It really never felt like a rivalry until…Bruce Arians.
I think I speak for all of Seahawk Nation when I say Bruce Arians is the Cardinals' enemy No. 1 for the 12s. His arrogance, stupid hats, and ability to crush Seattle in Lumen Field will haunt me forever. Even in the Super Bowl-winning season, and with four interceptions off of Carson Palmer, the Cardinals still found a way to defeat the eventual champs. Bruce rarely let up on Seattle and was a constant thorn. He was a true villain during the 2013-2017 years.
Biggest Win - Dec 21, 2014, Seattle over Arizona (at Arizona) 35-6
Essentially clinched both NFC West and NFC No. 1 seed on Sunday Night Football in Glendale thanks to Green Bay's loss to Buffalo the week before. Was also the Beastquake 2.0 and Russ Shake game.
Worst Loss - Dec 24, 2016, Arizona over Seattle (at Seattle) 34-31
The loss cost the Seahawks the No. 2 seed, a bye, and home field over Atlanta. Earl Thomas broke his leg a few weeks prior (we’ll get to that later) and the defense was never the same. A win and they would have played an extremely beat-up Green Bay team at home for the NFC Championship, and would have had a chance at revenge vs New England in the Super Bowl. One of the more underrated what-ifs in Seahawks lore.
Honorable Mention - LOB Seahawks make the leap, shut out Cardinals 58-0 in 2012