Seattle Seahawks

Arizona Cardinals: 5 reasons why they beat the Seahawks

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a pass as offensive tackle Jared Veldheer (68) blocks Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals face the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday night at University of Phoenix Stadium

The Arizona Cardinals have won their last two games to even their record at 3-3. Now a true test comes to town in the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have won their last three games in Arizona.

Not only have the Seahawks won their last three in Arizona, they have all been convincing wins. Last season the Cardinals dropped the regular season finale 36-6 in Glendale. The Cardinals didn’t have a lot to play for, so they sat most of their starters in the second half once it was clear they were too far behind to comeback.

In 2014, the Cardinals didn’t have Carson Palmer against the Seahawks. They didn’t even have Drew Stanton. He was out with an injury as well. The Cardinals had to rely on Ryan Lindley and it wasn’t pretty. That Sunday Night Football affair ended in a 35-6 loss for the Cardinals.

In 2013, the setting was on Thursday Night Football. It was just seven games into the Bruce Arians-era in Arizona. The Cardinals had not found an identity yet. That resulted in a 34-22 Seahawks victory and the game wasn’t even as close as the score indicated.

Now the Cardinals have Palmer, they have a reason to give it their all. They are a game and a half behind the Seahawks. A loss seemingly ends any hope of winning the NFC West. A win however puts them a half-game behind and sets up a great race in the second half of the season.

Here are five reasons why the Cardinals will win on Sunday night. The Cardinals have won two of the last three in Seattle against the Seahawks but now it’s time to turn the tables at home.

Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; The Seattle Seahawks prepare to snap the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not week 17

Many believe the Cardinals, should they have had something to play for in week 17 of the 2015 season, would have put up a much bigger fight. The Cardinals came out with little fire and fell behind quickly.

While the Cardinals fell flat and did remove starters in the second half, they did still have a slim hope when the game started that they could gain home-field advantage over the Panthers, who were playing at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

When it became apparent that the Bucs were no match for the Panthers, trailing 24-3 at halftime and the Cardinals trailing the Seahawks 30-6 at the same time, there was no hope left.

It wasn’t all Cardinals though, let’s be honest. The Seahawks came in and did a great job as well. I don’t like taking credit away where it is due. The Seahawks kicked their butt that day and am not sure the Cardinals could have still won but it likely would have been closer.

Now the Cardinals have Palmer and company playing with a lot on the line. While never guaranteeing a win because it is the Seahawks after all, it should be a much closer game this time around.

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) carries the ball as New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) defends during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The David Johnson factor

While Arians doesn’t want to admit that the offense is changing this year in terms of philosophy, the fact is, the focus is a bit different. Running back David Johnson is a force to be reckoned with.

Johnson was already shining in the spotlight when the teams met last season but the Cardinals still weren’t committed to giving Johnson the ball 25-30 times a game. Now Johnson is the focus and has the Cardinals finding a better balance between the passing and the running game.

The Cardinals will definitely still take their shots if they are there but Palmer has been looking to shorten the passing routes. There is less risk. In that sense the Cardinals have changed but Arians will still try to air it out from time to time.

The big factor here will be the offensive line. If guards John Wetzel and Earl Watford can open some holes like last week, then it could be a long day for the Seahawks defense.

Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is pursued by Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It’s time

Quite simply, it’s time for the Cardinals to show they can beat the better teams at home. They’ve normally taken care of business at home. They were 6-2 at home last season but one of those losses was to the Seahawks.

The Cardinals have lost three in a row at home to the Seahawks. If the Cardinals want to prove they are Super Bowl-worthy, they need to come out with a Super Bowl-worthy effort on Sunday night.

The Cardinals should have defeated the New England Patriots. They should have defeated the Los Angeles Rams. They were games the Cardinals held late leads.

The Cardinals have seemed to play the Seahawks better in Seattle for some reason. Sure, circumstances with team health and standing have had a lot to do with the losses but it isn’t everything. Now is the time to show they are for real.

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety D.J. Swearinger (left) intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) in the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Momentum

Although it was against much lesser talent, the Cardinals have started to show signs of the team we expected them to be coming into the season. They have won two in a row.

After victories against the San Francisco 49ers on the road and New York Jets at home, the Cardinals have started showing signs of life on offense and defense.

The defense played maybe it’s best game since early on in the 2015 season this past Monday night against the Jets. They had a great pass rush despite registering just two sacks.

The Cardinals also looked like the flying stars in the secondary that helped them to 13 victories last season. One of those players is safety Tyrann Matheiu. He’s not 100 percent yet but it’s the best he’s looked since before the injury in Philadelphia last December.

The Cardinals are at home on a national stage again. They have a chance to climb right back into the NFC West race. They are starting to click again at the right time.

Oct 16, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) defended by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) in the fourth quarter during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Falcons 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle is good but not great

The Seahawks have had their issues as well, especially with their health. Quarterback Russell Wilson has been hampered with an MCL sprain this season. Give him all the credit in the world though for coming out and leading his team to a 4-1 record.

They should have lost to Miami at home on opening day. They found a way to pull it out though, as good teams do. They had a hard time with the Rams just as the Cardinals did and they were handed their only loss of the season by Los Angeles.

The Seahawks though handled the Jets and 49ers like the Cardinals did. They struggled against the Atlanta Falcons last week, pulling out a 26-24 victory but not without controversy. There was a questionable non-pass interference call late that didn’t help.

Good teams will sometimes get the benefit of the doubt though. Teams can’t rely on the officials to do their jobs for them. It was a legitimate victory but it was close and Atlanta had their shot.

The Cardinals hopefully were able to find some weaknesses that may have not been there in the past. The Seahawks do get some of their injured players back this week though, so certainly no walk in the park.