The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as the Seattle Seahawks face off against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium this Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. With both teams eyeing postseason relevance, the stakes are high in this NFC battle.
Key Matchup Details:
The Seahawks enter the game as 2.5-point spread favorites, with a game total set at 47.5 points. Seattle (8-8) finds itself on the playoff bubble after a disappointing 30-23 loss to Pittsburgh last week. On the other hand, Arizona (4-12) is coming off an upset victory against Philadelphia, winning 35-31. The Cardinals, positioned to pick fourth in the 2024 NFL Draft, aim to end their season on a high note.
Previous Encounter:
In their previous meeting on October 22, the Seahawks emerged victorious with a 20-10 win over the Cardinals. Seattle's defense held Arizona to just 249 total yards, overcoming three turnovers. The Cardinals struggled, managing only 3.2 yards per pass with Joshua Dobbs under center.
Injury Report:
Both teams have key players listed on the injury report. Seahawks' S Jamal Adams and WR Dee Eskridge are ruled out, while RB Kenneth Walker III, DE Mario Edwards Jr., OT Jason Peters, LB Jordyn Brooks, and G Phil Haynes are questionable. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will be without WR Marquise Brown, DL Jonathan Ledbetter, and OL D.J. Humphries, with DL Leki Fotu listed as questionable.
Playoff Implications for Seattle:
With an opportunity to secure the seventh seed in the playoffs, Seattle needs a win to keep its postseason hopes alive. Currently averaging 21.4 points per game (17th), the Seahawks' offense ranks 20th in total yards with 322.7 per game. However, their defense has been a concern, surrendering 23.9 points and 365.4 total yards per game.
Red Zone Efficiency: Seattle's red zone performance has been less than stellar, converting only 35.3 percent of third downs and scoring touchdowns on just 49.0 percent of red zone visits, ranking 25th and 24th, respectively.
Arizona's Dominance in Red Zone:
In contrast, the Cardinals boast the league's best red zone touchdown conversion rate at 65.6 percent. Their offense averages 19.4 points and 315.2 total yards per game, with a strong rushing attack ranking 6th in the league.
Defensive Struggles: While the Cardinals' offense shines in the red zone, their defense faces challenges, allowing 27.1 points per game (31st) and ranking 32nd in rushing yards surrendered.
As the Seahawks and Cardinals prepare to clash, the battle at State Farm Stadium promises a mix of playoff aspirations and individual player performances. With both teams eager to finish the season on a positive note, football fans can anticipate an exciting matchup on Sunday afternoon. Stay tuned for the kickoff and witness the drama unfold in this crucial NFC contest.