Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals: Complete Week 16 Preview for Arizona

Before the 2014 NFL season began, most assumed the Arizona Cardinals would be at least a decent team. Maybe not world-beaters, but they’d hover at or around .500 ball most of the season, right?

Who could have predicted that after losing their top two quarterbacks, the heart of their defense in Darnell Dockett and a number of other key players throughout the year, the Cardinals would be one win away from clinching the NFC West and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs?

That’s what the Cardinals (11-3) face this week as they host the archrival Seattle Seahawks (10-4) in a battle for, essentially, the entire conference.

Arizona would clinch the No. 1 seed with a win, but Seattle would take over the top spot if it wins and would be a Week 17 home win over the St. Louis Rams from earning home-field advantage itself.

Much is at stake this weekend, and though it’s highly unlikely we see quarterback Drew Stanton start after he injured his knee in last Thursday’s win over the Rams, the fact he practiced some this Thursday, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com, is promising that he’ll be ready for a playoff game at the least—if not before then.

Here is your in-depth preview for the Cardinals’ Week 16 matchup with the Seahawks.

Cardinals’ Week 15 Review

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

As predicted in this column, the game was a field-goal fest from start to finish. The only thing working for the Cardinals on offense was the rushing attack.

Both Stepfan Taylor and newcomer Kerwynn Williams rushed for at least 60 yards, marking the first time since Week 11 of the 2009 season—also against the Rams, oddly—that Arizona had two running backs top 60 yards on the ground while averaging at least 4.0 yards per carry.

Stanton left with the knee injury shortly after halftime, and Ryan Lindley could not get anything going. He did make a couple of nice throws and a few good reads, but he appeared rusty. And with nearly two full seasons between games, you can understand why.

The Cardinals won, 12-6, and moved within a win of clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC thanks in large part to the defense. Once again, coordinator Todd Bowles dialed up a majestic game plan, and his men executed to near perfection.

News and Notes

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Limiting Russell Wilson Is Key

It’s no secret Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is athletic. His improvisational skills are among the best in the NFL. In fact, the only quarterback better at making something from nothing may be Aaron Rodgers.

Despite being sacked a career-high seven times the last time these two teams met, Wilson was the difference because of his legs. He made Cardinals pass-rushers miss a handful of times, and he either beat the secondary with his arm or beat the linebackers with his feet.

Bowles told Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com this week he has his work cut out for him against Seattle’s little quarterback with big playmaking skills:

“Many have tried, many have failed. The guy’s got a gift. He’s smart, he’s heady, he understands their offense and he understands what’s happening to him. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

That, they do. Everyone must be on their game when defending the Seahawks this week. Arizona cannot afford to lose Wilson for a second, because he makes teams pay for not accounting for him.

Lindley Ready for Seahawks

The decision by head coach Bruce Arians to start Lindley over rookie Logan Thomas is a good one. I’ll be honest: At first, I thought starting Thomas was the right move. But after some deep thought, I’ve realized it’s best to have a guy with experience take snaps against one of the fiercer defenses in the league.

Lindley says he feels more ready this time around than he was as a rookie, as he told Kent Somers of AZCentral.com:

“I’m a totally different person, totally different player. The first time out there [as a rookie in 2012], obviously it’s new, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. But through time, experience, seeing how Drew and Carson [Palmer] prepare … I just feel a lot more ready to play at this point.”

The Cardinals need Lindley to play better than he did as a rookie. They stand no chance if he resorts back to his 2012 days. If ever he wanted a chance to prove he has what it takes to make it in the NFL, this Sunday—the biggest regular-season game in Arizona Cardinals history—is it.

Thomas to Have a Role

Lindley gets the start against the Seahawks this week, but Arians has a package built into the offense for his rookie quarterback, as well. Thomas is excited to have an opportunity, according to Adam Green of ArizonaSports.com:

"

Very excited. I’ll get a chance to get some game time, get some game reps. So I’m thankful and just have got to make the most of what I’ve got.

[...]

I know what I’ve got to do, I know my set amount of plays that I have and I can perfect them.

[...]

…chances like this only come around every once in a while, especially in your rookie year. And I’m just thankful for the opportunity.

"

Thomas is big, has a strong arm and could be the most mobile quarterback with whom Arians has ever worked. What should we expect from Thomas against the Seahawks? That’s a great question, really.

We could see some read-option work from him, and we could see designed deep throws in an attempt to take the top off of Seattle’s defense.

His arm strength cannot be understated; it’s magnificent how far he can get the ball downfield when he uncorks one.

Arians could use Thomas in multiple ways. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him lined up out wide as a decoy early, only to go back to that later and have a double-pass play drawn up.

This is as big of a regular-season game as anyone within the organization has ever been a part—things like double-passes will be on the table, because in games this big and with this much on the line, all the stops must be pulled out.

Birdgang Boo-Boo Brigade

USA TODAY Sports

Player	Position	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Game Day
Lorenzo Alexander	OLB	Knee	LP	LP	-	-
Jaron Brown	WR	Toe	DNP	LP	-	-
Calais Campbell	DE	Hip	LP	LP	-	-
Jonathan Cooper	LG	Wrist	LP	DNP	-	-
Paul Fanaika	RG	Ankle	LP	FP	-	-
Larry Fitzgerald	WR	Knee	LP	FP	-	-
Larry Foote	ILB	Knee	LP	DNP	-	-
Tyrann Mathieu	FS	Thumb	LP	LP	-	-
Drew Stanton	QB	Knee	DNP	LP	-	-
Jared Veldheer	LT	Ankle	FP	FP	-	-
Kerwynn Williams	RB	Knee	LP	LP	-	-

All injury statuses gathered from AZCardinals.com.

X-Factor and Matchups to Watch

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

Calais Campbell vs. Seahawks Left Tackle

Starting left tackle Russell Okung is a question mark with a bruised lung, and if he can’t go, Alvin Bailey will start. Regardless of who plays, Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell should have a good day against the Seahawks.

The last time these two teams met, Campbell racked up a career-high three sacks and six total pressures. Should Okung play, he will assumedly still have some discomfort in his chest.

If Bailey gets the start, Campbell gets matched up against a former undrafted free-agent utility lineman who hasn’t exactly been great wherever he has lined up—Bailey started at left guard the last time these teams played.

Kerwynn Williams vs. Seattle Front Seven

Blockers are a great thing to have in the NFL. If you’re a running back with poor blocking in front of you, chances are you’re having a bad time. Lead blockers can be good to have as well. That is, unless that lead blocker is Cardinals fullback Robert Hughes.

Having charted the rushing attack for only the past two games Arizona played—Williams’ first two games—a couple of things stood out: Williams creates for himself very well, and Hughes is a horrible lead blocker.

The Cardinals did not run out of the I formation very much against the Chiefs or Rams, but when they did, Hughes was the lead blocker. Williams carried four times for seven yards (1.8 yards per carry) out of the I formation.

Out of a single-back formation, however, Williams did a remarkable job creating space on his own without the “help” of Hughes in front of him. In his first two games, he carried 27 times out of single-back formations for 152 yards (5.6 YPC).

Given that Seattle’s front seven is a bit undersized and quicker than average, it will be interesting to see how Williams creates in single-back formations. The Seahawks flow to the ball as well as any defense in the league. Cutback lanes that were there against the Chiefs and Rams may not be there this week.

Can Williams adjust and find creases?

Cardinals' X-Factor of the Week: Ryan Lindley

It’s already been stated: The Cardinals need Lindley to be better than he has been throughout his career. He has the trust of his coach and all his teammates, but that only goes so far. It’s up to the player to do it on the field.

Lindley doesn’t need to go out and throw for 350 yards and four touchdowns to beat Seattle; Bowles’ defense will make sure of that. But the new starting quarterback does need to complete a higher percentage of his passes if the Cardinals are to pull the “upset” on Sunday Night Football.

With the running game improved of late, Lindley won’t have as much pressure to get the ball downfield as he would if the running backs had nowhere to go every time they touched the ball.

Add in a higher completion percentage from Lindley, and the offense should move the ball just fine on Seattle’s vaunted defense.

Prediction

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

The Cardinals are more than a touchdown underdog at home, where they are 7-0 this season. If that’s not a slap in the face, I don’t know what is. Per Somers of AZCentral.com:

"

#azcardinals just 2nd 11-3 home team to be an underdog. Tennessee was -3 to jacksonville in '99, per @OddsShark

— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) December 18, 2014"

Blatant disrespect is nothing new for Arizona, but national media sinks to a new level seemingly every week.

Anyway, it would be surprising to see this game finish at more than a one-score final. Seattle ranks No. 2 in scoring defense (17.3 points per game), and Arizona ranks third (17.4).

But over the past six weeks, these defenses have been even better. The Seahawks are tops in the league since Week 10, allowing 11.3 points per game, and the Cardinals are third, allowing 14.7 per game:

"

Since Week 10, the NFC West has the top 3 scoring defenses in the NFL: #Seahawks 11.3 ppg #Rams 12.8 #AZCardinals 14.7 Ridiculous.

— Shaun Church (@NFLChurch) December 19, 2014"

Despite the defense-laden matchup, this game will come down to the offense that can convert third downs successfully and get enough out of the passing game to make the difference. Unfortunately, that likely will be the visiting team.

Prediction: Seahawks 16, Cardinals 13

All stats gathered from Pro-Football-Reference.com.