The Cardinals haven’t exactly had the Seahawks’ number lately. Arizona has dropped nine straight against Seattle, a run that goes back to the 2021 season. But heading into Week 2, one metric is bucking that trend.
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Cardinals a narrow edge at home in Sunday’s game at State Farm Stadium, putting Arizona at 53.7% to win and Seattle at 45.9%.
That number comes with a major caveat for Seattle: starting quarterback Sam Darnold has officially been ruled out. In his place, Drew Lock is set to start against an Arizona defense that held Justin Herbert and the Chargers to 14 points in Week 1.
Both teams enter the game at 1-0, and Seahawks head coach Mike LaFleur made clear he still likes what he saw from Lock last week.
"I want to say he's started 28 games I think in his career. He's played 41 career [games].
I think he was 16 to 22 for 187 in a touchdown [last week]. I thought he was efficient," LaFleur said of Lock.
Darnold left last week’s season opener early with a glute injury, though the Seahawks do not expect him to land on injured reserve.
LaFleur also spoke highly of his starter when discussing the quarterback situation.
"Sam's a great quarterback. I'd say I know Sam a little bit better than Drew because I did have I guess you could say a month or so with him even though he wasn't in the building in New York," LaFleur continued, referencing his short tenure as an offensive coordinator with the Jets.
"But I've always really respected him dating back to USC, understanding that he was a young quarterback going through - every situation is different by the quarterback and by the club. He got himself in a very stable situation.
I think starting in San Francisco, Minnesota, and then obviously in Seattle. It's not shocking that they got the result they did last year.
"In my opinion, they are the best coach team in football. I think they have the best defense in football, and now, in my opinion, they have a really, really good quarterback with it, and yeah, he's down this week.
But again, like I just said with Drew, the moment's not too big for him. I think he's a good quarterback who's played a lot of good football."
It’s an early NFC West matchup, and the kind where the numbers and the recent history point in different directions. For now, ESPN’s predictor says Arizona has the slight upper hand.
In Other News...
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For the Vikings, the bigger picture goes beyond one report and into how much the roster can absorb this kind of attrition before a divisional game on the road. Chicagos injury list is worth watching too, especially on the offensive line, where Wrights status can shape the entire feel of the matchup. More updates are expected later in the week, and for a game with this much familiarity between the teams, the health chart may end up mattering just as much as the game plan. [Read more 🡒]
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For Minnesota, the concern is not just one hot game from Chicago but the pattern Johnson has already established against Flores groups. His offenses have done well in those meetings before, which gives this upcoming matchup a familiar edge for the Bears and a lot to solve for the Vikings. If Minnesota cannot keep Johnsons run game from setting the terms, the rest of the defensive plan becomes a lot harder to trust. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Win Over Green Bay Said Everything About OConnells Focus
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OConnells point has always been that the Vikings are at their best when the conversation stays on winning and not on public perception. The Packers offensive issues underscored how quickly a game can tilt when the details slip, and Minnesotas head coach has made it clear he wants his own team measured the same way. In a league that often turns every performance into a referendum, that kind of focus can be a competitive edge all by itself. [Read more 🡒]