The Seahawks and Cardinals are back at it, and this one already carries the feel of a familiar problem for Arizona. Seattle has won nine straight in the series, and the Cardinals have been swept by their division rivals in each of the past four seasons.
Both teams arrive at Week 2 off wins over AFC opponents. Seattle opened with a 13-10 victory in its Super Bowl LX rematch against the New England Patriots, while Arizona, now led by Mike LaFleur, went on the road and beat the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14.
One of the biggest battles on Sunday will be on the edge, where Seattle’s Charles Cross draws a tough assignment against Josh Sweat. Cross has quietly built a reputation as one of the league’s best tackles since arriving as the ninth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
He was ranked ninth among tackles by Pro Football Focus in 2024 and checked in at No. 19 at the position this past season. Sweat, in his first year with Arizona, was active in the opener with 29 defensive snaps, two tackles and a tackle for loss.
Last season, he started all 17 games, posted 30 stops and led the Cardinals with 12.0 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles.
The middle of the field is another spot that could swing the game, especially with Seattle’s secondary still adjusting after losing cornerback Riq Woolen to the Philadelphia Eagles and safety Coby Bryant in free agency. John Schneider addressed that by using four of his eight draft picks on defensive backs.
Julian Love remains a key piece of the unit. He missed nine regular-season games in 2025, but after making the Pro Bowl in 2023 and leading the team in tackles in 2024, he made an impact in last week’s win over New England with six tackles and one of Seattle’s three fourth-quarter interceptions of Drake Maye.
Then there’s Trey McBride, the Cardinals’ toughest passing-game weapon and a major test for any defense. Last season, he set the single-season tight end record with 126 catches for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns, a total that ranks 12th in NFL history.
Seattle’s secondary also has to deal with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Arizona made Harrison the fourth overall pick in 2024, and while he has not had a breakout season yet, Wilson has taken a clear step forward.
The 2023 third-round pick followed up a career year in 2025 with 78 receptions for 1,036 yards and seven touchdowns. He opened this season with five catches for 56 yards in the win over the Chargers.
On Seattle’s side, Devon Witherspoon gives the defense a different kind of threat. The three-time Pro Bowler does plenty of work without piling up interceptions, and he showed that again against New England with five tackles, all of them assists. Through 44 regular-season games, the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft has two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, along with two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 32 passes defensed and 4.5 sacks.
In Other News...
Seahawks Suddenly Bring A Very Different Week 2 Test For Cardinals
The first injury report of the week handed the Cardinals a very different kind of picture heading into their trip to Seattle. The Seahawks ruled Sam Darnold out of the home opener because of a glute injury, which means Drew Lock is set to take over at quarterback, and the rest of the report also starts to sketch out the availability of several players from both sides.
For Arizona, that kind of change matters because Week 2 already carries the usual early-season uncertainty, and now the opponents offensive plans will look different before the teams have even lined up. The practice participation updates for both clubs will keep drawing attention as the week goes on, but the biggest shift so far is simple: the Cardinals are preparing for a Seahawks team with a new face under center. [Read more 🡒]
Jeremiyah Love Just Gave Cardinals Fans Another Reason To Hate Sunday's Rival
Ahead of Sundays matchup, Jeremiyah Love found himself in an unusual spot for a young Cardinals back, talking about a friend while helping prepare for a rival. Love and Seahawks running back Jadarian Price were teammates at Notre Dame, and Love said he has been passing along what he knows about Prices style as Arizona gets ready for a division game that already carries enough edge.
Love made clear where his loyalty sits, even with the friendship intact. He said he is excited for the challenge of competing against Price and for catching up afterward, but for Cardinals fans the part that matters most is simpler: one of their own is trying to make sure the defense has every possible clue before Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Jeremiyah Loves Ankle Puts Cardinals Fans On Edge Before Seattle
Jeremiyah Love gave the Cardinals a welcome sign in the middle of a short week, saying his ankle does not feel limited as Arizona turns from its season-opening win over the Chargers to a Week 2 trip to Seattle. The rookie running back looked plenty capable in his debut, finishing with 41 rushing yards and a touchdown, and he quickly became part of the story as the Cardinals tried to settle into their next-round prep.
For a team that already has one win banked, Loves availability matters because Arizonas offense could use the same spark it got from him against Los Angeles. The Seahawks will be a different test, and the Cardinals will be watching closely to see whether the rookie can carry that debut momentum into a division game, with his ankle still the one detail hanging over the buildup. [Read more 🡒]