The Seattle Seahawks opened their season by digging out of a 10-0 hole and leaving Week 1 with a 13-10 win over the New England Patriots. That’s the version of Seattle the Arizona Cardinals will get in Week 2: a team that can win ugly, survive an injury at quarterback, and still make enough plays to finish the job.
The Seahawks’ comeback came after Sam Darnold left in the first quarter with a gluteal injury, forcing backup Drew Lock into the game. Even with that setback, Seattle found a way to rally and beat New England behind a defense that completely flipped the game late.
One of the biggest reasons was the takeaway battle. Seattle intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye three times, and every one of those picks came in the fourth quarter. The first two led directly to Seahawks points, giving them the lead, and the final interception in the end zone helped them run out the clock.
Seattle also made life miserable for the Patriots’ backs. New England finished with 109 rushing yards, but 47 of those came from Maye scrambling. That left Rhamondre Stevenson and former Cardinal Corey Kiner with just 62 yards on 24 carries, a 2.6-yard average.
And then there’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who wasted no time picking up where he left off. Last season’s Offensive Player of the Year was dominant again in Week 1, catching eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. He was clearly the focal point of the passing game, as the Seahawks threw 24 passes and sent 11 of them his way.
In Other News...
Cardinals Suddenly Have A Big Week 2 Problem Up Front
Roy Lopezs Week 1 showing gave the Cardinals a needed jolt up front, but the defensive line now has a more immediate concern as Arizona prepares for Seattle. Head coach Mike LaFleur said Lopez is dealing with a groin injury and is questionable for the Week 2 matchup, a potential setback for a unit that will need to handle a tougher ground challenge.
The Seahawks are expected to lean more heavily on their rushing attack, with rookie running back Jadarian Price leading the way, so Lopezs status carries real weight for Arizonas game plan. If he cannot go, the Cardinals may have to turn to second-year defensive lineman Walter Nolen for more snaps, leaving one of the weeks bigger questions centered on how well the front can hold up without one of its top performers. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Suddenly Have A Real Shot To End This Seahawks Drought
The Cardinals head into Week 2 with a chance to reset a frustrating trend against Seattle, a matchup that has tilted the Seahawks way since 2021. Arizonas opener offered a few reasons for optimism, especially on defense, where the group showed enough early promise to suggest it can keep the team in games while the offense settles in.
Seattles quarterback situation adds another layer to the rematch, with starter Sam Darnold sidelined and Drew Lock expected to take over. The Cardinals could use the break, but they also have to account for a potential hit to their own front if Roy Lopezs injury limits what Arizona can do up the middle, leaving Sundays road test with plenty still to sort out. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Secondary Is Building The Edge Fans Have Been Hoping For
The early signs in Arizonas secondary have been encouraging, and Mike LaFleur made it clear this week that Andrew Wingard is already fitting into the mix as more than just depth. LaFleur called Wingard a great addition to the defense and pointed to his communication with Budda Baker, a pairing that matters for a unit trying to tighten up its coverage and play faster on the back end.
For Cardinals fans, the appeal is obvious: the secondary has spent enough time in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and any sign of cleaner communication is worth watching closely. Wingards role is still taking shape, but if the chemistry with Baker keeps building, Arizona may have found another piece that helps the defense look more connected when the games start to matter. [Read more 🡒]