National Football League

NFL Week 7 Countdown

Published Oct. 24, 2010 8:37 a.m. ET

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NFL on FOX games: Arizona at Seattle, 4:05 p.m. ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: This game is for first place in the NFC West and for the past two seasons, the Cardinals have won here. The Cardinals have won 12 of their past 14 games against the NFC West. Cardinals rookie QB Max Hall will make his first career road start in one of the league's loudest venues — and with significant rain and wind in the forecast. Seattle has the league’s 30th-ranked pass defense, but will load the box against the run, dial up blitzes on passing downs and dare Hall to make plays downfield. The Cardinals will counter with a conservative game plan despite the return of receivers Steve Breaston and Early Doucet. Hall has shown a tendency to make poor decisions early in games, and the Cardinals can’t afford to fall behind. Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, who has 26 receptions and two TDs on the year, could have a big day if Kelly Jennings (hamstring) can’t go. That means that rookie Walter Thurmond must shut down one of the game’s best. Seattle must contain RB Tim Hightower, who leads Arizona with 236 yards.

The Seahawks’ offense realized an immediate benefit from RB Marshawn Lynch last weekend. The offensive line is still a concern, but the Cardinals have just eight sacks on the season. Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck is coming off his best game of the season, completing 25 passes for 242 yards and a TD against the Bears. Look for a continuation of the up-tempo style that suits Hasselbeck.

CZAR’S SCOOP: Arizona ILB Gerald Hayes, who spent six weeks on the physically unable to perform list because of back surgery, is slated to be a spot player today. A starter the past four years, Hayes should play about 20 snaps.

Hall became the first undrafted free agent quarterback to start a game in Week 6 or earlier since the Seahawks’ Jim Zorn did the same thing in Seattle’s first season in the NFL in 1976. Seattle had lost 17 consecutive road games outside the NFC West before winning in Chicago last Sunday.

Seattle has discarded all of their high-priced receivers, but they are very happy with a reborn Mike Williams, Deon Butler and tight end John Carlson. The Seahawks are well situated for the future, salary-cap wise.

Other Sunday games

Oakland at Denver, 4:15 p.m. ET: QB Jason Campbell is expected to start for the Raiders, although Kyle Boller got as much work with the first-team offense in practice this week. The Raiders are awful stopping the run, but the Broncos love to throw with Kyle Orton, so this has the makings of an odd game. Orton is on pace to throw for 5,100 yards this season. Three Denver receivers already have at least 30 receptions. Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) is expected to play.

Minnesota at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m. ET: Weird stat category: Brett Favre, no longer a Packer, will make his 119th start at Lambeau Field, passing John Elway, who had 118 starts at Mile High for the Broncos. Favre was unbelievable last season in whipping Green Bay twice, but his offensive line isn’t as good — look our for Clay Matthews — and his elbow is hurting. The addition of Randy Moss has helped him find Percy Harvin in the slot. The Packers are beat up while Minnesota’s secondary is very thin, especially if rookie CB Chris Cook can’t play. Aaron Rodgers figures to use a three to four-wide receiver set. Rodgers owns a 1-11 record in games decided by four points or less.