Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
If you were looking for the perfect matchup to determine if the Cards were really a playoff contender, this would be the pairing. Questions about Murray’s passing should be answered. Seattle has one of the weakest pass rushes in the league. The AZ O-line has not been dominant but it has been competent in pass protection. So, Murray should have the time to both use his progressions and pass balls with precision. Can he demonstrate improved professionalism? There should be no reason this isn’t an outstanding game in the air. On the ground Seattle has been allowing only about 100 yards per game. I’ll be curious to see if Drake can put up yards against a good team. Considering the passing matchup the Seahawks can’t load up the box very often. They figure to keep their safeties back. There should be lots of room to throw underneath to RBs. I expect Edmonds to have the better game. I think Seattle will play zone often, keeping the running lanes defended. They’ll blitz but try do so in a controlled fashion. That rarely works well.
Then there’s the question about Joseph’s defense. That unit has produced 2 good games in a row. Of course one team was known to be bad and the other was severely compromised. Was the Cowboy game success a sign of improvement or were the Cards beneficiaries of perfect timing? Seattle has a good receiving corp and one of the sharpest QBs in the league. If the defense can stop this team, they are probably for real. I expect a balanced attack from Seattle as the Cards are in the middle against both the run and the pass. For their part Seattle has run competently and passed exceptionally well.
One way or the other after this game the real Cardinal team should be apparent.
Then there’s the question about Joseph’s defense. That unit has produced 2 good games in a row. Of course one team was known to be bad and the other was severely compromised. Was the Cowboy game success a sign of improvement or were the Cards beneficiaries of perfect timing? Seattle has a good receiving corp and one of the sharpest QBs in the league. If the defense can stop this team, they are probably for real. I expect a balanced attack from Seattle as the Cards are in the middle against both the run and the pass. For their part Seattle has run competently and passed exceptionally well.
One way or the other after this game the real Cardinal team should be apparent.