Arizona Cardinals Are the New Class of the NFC West

The Seattle Seahawks may be the two-time defending division champions, but the guard has been changed. The NFC West now belongs firmly to the Arizona Cardinals, who fought through injuries, questionable calls and poorly timed mistakes in order to defeat Seattle on the road Sunday night. 

Arizona's 39-32 victory wasn't without blemishes, but that the Cardinals were able to overcome three turnovers—two of which led immediately to back-to-back Seattle touchdowns in the fourth quarter—in order to become the first road team since 2007 to win a prime-time game in noisy, hostile Seattle indicates that they are the team to defeat.

You had to figure the Seahawks would fight back from that 19-0 first-half deficit. After all, this is a Seattle squad that had won 10 consecutive prime-time home games and 24 of its last 27 overall at CenturyLink Field. And momentum certainly didn't give Arizona much of a chance when it fell behind 29-25 by allowing the feisty Seahawks to record two strip-sacks in a two-minute span in the fourth quarter. 

Date	Opponent	Result	Score
Sunday	Cardinals	Loss	39-32
Oct. 5, 2015	Lions	Win	13-10
Sept. 4, 2014	Packers	Win	36-16
Dec. 2, 2013	Saints	Win	34-7
Sept. 15, 2013	49ers	Win	29-3
Dec. 23, 2012	49ers	Win	42-13
Sept. 24, 2012	Packers	Win	14-12
Dec. 12, 2011	Rams	Win	30-13
Dec. 1, 2011	Eagles	Win	31-14
Jan. 2, 2011	Rams	Win	16-6

But the Cards found a way to win. 

And many probably figured Arizona wasn't capable of executing such an improbable road upset when it was apparent lady luck wasn't on the Cardinals' sideline. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson got away with what should have been intentional grounding in the end zone, sparing Seattle a forfeited safety in the first quarter. Later, the Cardinals were granted favorable spots on back-to-back short-yardage plays, extending a key drive.

And of course, the Cards also lost Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati to what appeared to be a serious head injury in the second quarter, making things all the more difficult for running back Chris Johnson and quarterback Carson Palmer. 

But Arizona didn't give in and wound up victorious anyway, rediscovering a running game that many might have been tempted to abandon on consecutive fourth-quarter touchdown drives. 

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

"I think we're all pretty good," said wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on NBC after the game. "To come up here and get a win in this place is always tough." 

And it's tougher when you have that much to overcome, but the Cardinals became just the third team in the last decade to win in Seattle despite turning the ball over three-plus times. Interestingly—and probably coincidentally—the other two teams were the '08 Cards and the '13 Cards. 

Date	Team	Turnovers	Score
Dec. 22, 2013	Cardinals	4	17-10
Sunday	Cardinals	3	39-32
Nov. 16, 2008	Cardinals	3	26-20
Oct. 18, 2015	Panthers	2	27-23

This edition now has a three-game lead over Seattle and the St. Louis Rams in the NFC West, which is far from a clinch with seven weeks remaining. Yet considering the state of the Seahawks, it's at least safe to conclude that this has become Arizona's division to lose. 

High-quality teams don't perform like that in home games following bye weeks. For proof, just look at what the Super Bowl-bound Seahawks did to the playoff-bound New Orleans Saints after their bye in 2013. The final score then was Seahawks 34, Saints 7. 

But this team is lacking something on both sides of the ball. That previously vaunted defense surrendered 27-plus points for the fifth time in nine games, allowing 30 first downs (something only eight defenses have done this year). They allowed Arizona to convert eight third downs, giving up 451 total yards and 39 points. 

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

In terms of points and yards allowed, this was the Seahawks' worst loss since 2010. They did register three takeaways, but that only helped conceal an abysmal performance from the offense, which had been limited to 20 or fewer points in three of five games prior to Sunday and was nearly bailed out of a 14-of-32 dud from Wilson against Arizona. 

The offensive line has been decimated, Wilson is having his worst year as a pro and the defense isn't what it once was. Not only are the Seahawks no longer a Super Bowl-worthy juggernaut, but they're no longer the kings of the NFC West. 

That crown belongs to the Cardinals who, barring back-breaking injuries, will win their first division title since 2009 and should be viewed as legitimate contenders for Super Bowl 50. 

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012.

Follow @Brad_Gagnon