Three Seahawks who must thrive in Week 14 versus the Arizona Cardinals

Round 2, fight! That's the opening commentary from the old-school Street Fighter video game, and it would be appropriate if the audio was played before the Seattle Seahawks' Week 14 game. The Hawks are set to travel to Glendale, Arizona, to take on a Cardinals team that is looking for some revenge after being defeated by Seattle a mere two weeks ago.

The first matchup between these two teams was a defensive street fight, ending in a 16-6 victory for Seattle. Mike Macdonald's defense has been firing on all cylinders recently, but the offense and special teams have suffered through uneven play. If certain players do not step into the void to provide adequate play, the Seahawks' leadership will continue their demonstration of boldness in moving on quickly from any men who do not get the job done.

Here's where the rubber hits the road. Just as long as the Cardinals don't bounce back in the desert.

Seahawks players that must ball out to bury the Cardinals in AZ

The players who needed to excel in the Week 12 match did so and will be needed to do the same again. The defense should feel confident but will need to stay on their P's and Q's to contain such a mobile quarterback. It has been well-documented that Kyler Murray can always break one against an undisciplined stop unit.

It will be paramount for the D to communicate about the inevitable new wrinkles that Arizona will bring to the table at home, and in front of a crowd that will allow them to operate more comfortably than they did at Lumen Field a fortnight ago.

To really earn the division crown, the Seahawks will need to put up some points and pick up the hidden yardage in the special teams phase. The following men will be needed to play a complete game at State Farm Stadium on Sunday. You could even say that coordinators Ryan Grubb and Jay Harbaugh will have something to prove with these performances as well.

Olu Oluwatimi - Seahawks center

Two weeks ago, Seattle's offensive line gave up 5 sacks at home to the Cards. Some found joy in the retirement of former center Connor Williams, as well as the return of Abe Lucas, but the question must be asked: has the protection gotten any better? Here in big Week 14, the Seahawks have a 6th-round rookie starting at right guard in Sataoa Laumea, and a player still trying to find his legs at right tackle in Abraham Lucas. The interior to the right side of the line has been a perpetual work in progress this season.

Seattle center, Olu Oluwatimi must help Laumea, and get the protections coordinated and communicated with quarterback, Geno Smith. Kenneth Walker must also average more than the 2.6 yards per catch he picked up in Week 12. He won the Outland Trophy in college, being honored as the top interior blocker in the country. He needs to start showing why. Olu's play will be pivotal at the pivot position.

Jason Myers - Seahawks kicker

Jason Myers has the sixth-most 50+ field goals made in the NFL thus far in 2024. Unfortunately, he has missed an extra point in three out of the last four Seahawk contests and that's scary. This should be a tightly contested game, and J.M. should inevitably get his shot to make a mark on the NFC West skirmish.

Jaelon Darden - Seahawks kick returner

Listen, all he needs to do is not muff a kick return, and he will be better than what we had before. Darden joins up with Seattle after having spent time in Cleveland this year. We all know that Seattle's primary return men, Laviska Shenault and Dee Williams were promptly cut after that disasterclass of a showing at MetLife Stadium last week in New York.

Maybe, possibly Darden can help the Seahawks get off the mat, as they have averaged the worst starting field position in the league. One thing 12s will love: he has never lost a fumble in his four years at the pro level. Hallelujah.

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