Seattle Seahawks – Arizona Cardinals
USA - NFL
22-10-2023 - 22:05 CET
The Seattle Seahawks appear to be a better team than their 3-2 record suggests. Last week, they were the better team on the field against the Cincinnati Bengals, but they made some poor decisions in the red zone. This was especially the case in the closing moments of the game when they couldn't convert several attempts to win the match. Credit also goes to the excellent Bengals' defense in the final quarter, but there's certainly a bitter taste for the Seahawks for the missed opportunity. They showcased their full potential in Week 2 when they defeated the Detroit Lions on the road, a team that is currently one of the top three in the NFC. The offense is functioning reasonably well, and the defense is in the top 10 in most statistical parameters.
The Arizona Cardinals entered the season as complete underdogs, with many predicting the worst record and the first overall pick in the NFL draft next year. Despite this, they made a great impression in the first three weeks, even defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. However, reality set in after that. They lost the last three games by a double-digit margin, and since starting running back James Conner got injured, the offense lost efficiency. The only playmaker on that side of the field is wide receiver Hollywood Brown. Time is running out for quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who is a makeshift solution because the team's superstar, Kyler Murray, hasn't played for 12 months due to an ACL tear. However, he has started practicing and could return to the field soon, marking the end of Dobbs' tenure.
In the first three weeks of the new season, the Arizona Cardinals caught opponents somewhat unprepared because no one took them seriously. As soon as that changed, they faced tough losses. The Seattle Seahawks' defense won't have a particularly difficult task here. Their run defense is excellent, and even if it weren't, the Cardinals don't have a quality running back. The main focus will be on stopping Brown, which will cripple the opponent's offense. On the other hand, the Cardinals' defense is unlikely to slow down the Seahawks' offense in any way, and the only question here is by what margin the home team will want to triumph. After such a missed opportunity in Cincinnati last week, there's no doubt they'll be hungry for a big win.