Seattle Seahawks Clip Arizona Cardinals 13-10

Jackson has been taking a pounding behind the Seahawks offensive line.
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Tarvaris Jackson was able to finish out the game for the Seattle Seahawks. He welcomed back his former target in Minnesota, Sidney Rice, with open arms.  Well, by opening up his arm at least.

Jackson hit Rice on eight of 10 attempts today for 109 yards. Rice's ability to get open downfield opened up the rest of the offense as well; Seattle surpassed 100 yards rushing for the first time this season.

Jackson's first win as a Seahawk won't keep his detractors quiet for long. There was enough bad mixed in with the positives to give both sides of the equation ammunition. Jackson will most certainly be starting the last two weeks before the Seahawks bye...so long as his body holds up to the strain.

Jackson was sacked four times,but took 12 more hits getting throws off to his receivers. While he is one of the tougher quarterbacks in the league, the pounding could start to catch up with him.

The loss puts the Cardinals in a tie with the Seahawks for second place in the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers (2-1) have a one game lead following a close win in Cincinnati. 

The Seahawks (1-2) host the Atlanta Falcons (1-2) next Sunday. Atlanta is fresh off a close loss in Tampa Bay and will be looking to get their season on track.

Arizona (1-2) will return to the comfortable confines of University of Phoenix Stadium to host the New York Giants (2-1).

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

With the Seattle Seahawks clinging to a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead, many Seahawk fans could finally get to see the quarterback they've been calling for all season.

Following a bad snap and a fumble, Tarvaris Jackson appears to be a bit shaken up on the sidelines. Charlie Whitehurst may see his first action of the 2011 season.

On defense, Seattle has been limiting the Cardinals offense. They have dedicated two defensive backs to covering Fitzgerald as I discussed at halftime. The cornerback is taking underneath coverage, with safety help on deep throws. It has kept Fitzgerald out of the game.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Seattle takes a 31-10 lead on Tarvaris Jackson's 11 yard scramble for a Touchdown.

Jackson has been the recipient of the scorn of Seahawks fans. The offense has struggled all season, not finding much rhythm without their new receiver, Sydney Rice.

They have established a bit of a ground game as Rice has stretched the field. 

An all-too-familiar scenario played out again on the Seahawks' touchdown drive. Jackson was set up in the pocket without an open receiver. He worked out of the pocket but had no throwing options. He tucked the ball and met two Arizona defenders at the goal line and chose to push the ball in for the touchdown instead of sliding.

The 14-play, 72-yard drive may not be enough to get Jackson doubters on board, but it is a start.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

The Arizona Cardinals lead the Seattle Seahawks 10-6 at the half.

Arizona's offense is getting the upper hand on the Seahawks defense at this point in the game. Seattle has not held to matching Brandon Browner with Larry Fitzgerald, and backup running back Alphonso Smith has started to get the Arizona ground game moving; he has 19 yards on four carries.

Seattle will need to find a better option for guarding Fitzgerald. At the end of the half they disguised coverage, making it appear as though Trufant had released him to a safety. He stepped in front of a Kevin Kolb pass, killing a drive as time ran out in the half.

Expect Seattle to continue to work two defenders on Fitzgerald. Truant or Browner will need to play tight coverage at the line with deep help from Earl Thomas. Jeron Johnson should also be considered in nickel or bandit packages with deep help.

The Seahawks offensive line has not been able to contain the Cardinals pass rush. Arizona will likely come out in the second half disguising blitz packages to try to keep Tarvaris Jackson from getting his passes off. While he's been off-target on a couple throws, when he has time he is finding an open receiver. He is working well with Sidney Rice and the two will be able to work the ball down the field if they have time.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Larry Fitzgerald has shown once again why there is nobody better at catching jump-balls in the NFL. Kevin Kolb threw a pass into double-coverage that would be a huge mistake with most any other player on the receiving end.

Blanketed by Brandon Browner and Earl Thomas, Fitzgerald went up and over Thomas to haul in the touchdown pass. The reception gives the Cardinals a 10-3 lead midway through the second quarter.

Seattle needs to show they can sustain a drive and punch the ball into the end zone. They can't afford to give the Cardinals an opportunity to take a two-possession lead.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Sidney Rice is already making an impact on the Seattle Seahawks offense. He has three catches for 46 yards, including a 32 yard acrobatic catch that set up a 30-yard field goal by Steven Hauschka. This was the first time the Seahawks have scored in the first half this season.

The score came on a short field after Jay Feeley missed a 51 yard field goal. Feeley did take advantage of the opportunity to tie the game 3-3 by hitting a 44-yard attempt.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

The Arizona Cardinals take a big hit with their inactive list for today's game with the Seattle Seahawks. Arizona running backs Chris Wells and LaRod Stephens-Howling will be inactive for today's game. This will place a large burden on Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals passing attack.

Joey Porter and Daryl Washington will be available for this game, though. The presence of a full linebacker group should help the Cardinals offense.

There are no surprises on the Seahawks inactive list. Kris Durham has been replaced by Sidney Rice at wide receiver. Defensive tackle Al Woods is the other healthy player on their inactive list.

Full inactive lists can be found at the end of the attached article.

Key Matchups, Lineups, Inactive List Cardinals vs. Seahawks Game Guide: Lineups, Matchup Breakdown, Depth Charts