The Seahawks are staring at a chance to reset the tone of their season when they welcome the Cardinals in Week 9.
Seattle comes in at 4-4 after a frustrating loss to the Bears on Monday night, while Arizona arrives at 3-5 fresh off a win over the Cowboys. The Cardinals will have some confidence after that result, but the Seahawks have reason to believe they can handle this matchup too. Even with Sam Darnold dealing with a quad injury, Seattle knows it already beat Arizona once, with backup Drew Lock steering a 31-7 win in Week 2.
That matters because the Seahawks need this one to keep pace in the NFC playoff chase. And if a few things break their way, the path to victory looks even cleaner.
One place Seattle could find an edge is with Zach Charbonnet. He returned in Week 8 for his season debut after tearing his ACL in January, but the rust showed against Chicago.
He finished with 23 yards on six carries and added six yards on three catches. As he settles back in, the expectation here is that the workload climbs - and that the extra touches finally lead to his first touchdown of the season.
The pass rush could be the real difference-maker, though. In the first meeting, the Seahawks kept Jacoby Brissett to just 95 passing yards and got to him twice.
Brissett is now with the Baltimore Ravens after losing the starting job to Gardner Minshew, and Minshew is walking into a much tougher test. With Byron Murphy leading the way, the prediction is that Seattle’s defense gets home five times.
And if that pressure turns the game into a runaway, there’s one more wrinkle to watch. The Seahawks should be in position to build such a comfortable lead that Jalen Milroe gets snaps for the first time this season. That would fit the script if Lock and the offense get rolling early and the defense keeps Arizona from ever finding its footing.
In Other News...
Cardinals Deadline Approach Is Raising Big Questions About This Roster
As the deadline nears, the Cardinals are still sorting through what kind of roster they want to be for the stretch run, and the conversation around them has only gotten louder. Arizona has already been linked to a quarterback move with Jacoby Brissett expected to be finalized soon, while head coach Mike LaFleur also said running back James Conner will not return this week, leaving the offense with more short-term uncertainty than the team would like.
The bigger question is what Arizona does with its veteran talent on the other side of the ball. The Cardinals have been seeking significant value for edge rusher Josh Sweat, and league chatter has also kept safety Budda Baker in the trade conversation as Tuesday approaches, a sign that this front office may still be weighing whether to add around the margins or take a harder look at the long-term picture. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Josh Sweat Decision That Still Isnt Simple
Josh Sweat has become one of the more interesting names to watch as the NFL trade deadline approaches, but the buzz around the Cardinals pass-rusher has not changed the basic outlook much. Arizona has every reason to treat him as part of its longer-term plans, and the contract situation only makes a move more complicated for a team that values edge help.
Even with rumors circulating, the sense around the league is that the Cardinals are not eager to deal him unless the return is substantial enough to justify it. Sweats future still feels tied to Arizona, and unless the right kind of offer materializes, this looks like one of those deadline stories that may end with the player staying put and the team keeping its pass rush intact. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Head To Seattle Already Facing A Costly Lineup Problem
The Cardinals head into their Week 9 trip to Seattle already shorthanded, with running back Bam Knight, tackle Jayden Williams and guard Jon Gaines all ruled out because of injuries. Mike LaFleur said none of the three practiced during the week, leaving Arizona to sort through its depth before the official injury report comes out after practice and to keep an eye on a few other banged-up players as well.
It is the kind of availability issue that can shape a game plan before kickoff, especially on the road against a division opponent. Seattle will be starting Drew Lock at quarterback in place of the injured Sam Darnold, but Arizona still has to piece together its own lineup on both sides of the ball, and the final answers up front could matter just as much as anything the Seahawks do under center. [Read more 🡒]