cardinals2025
Veteran
I had it analyze all the players and team stats for both SEA and AZ from last year. Then I added the FA's so far.
Offense: The Cardinals (5th in rushing, 11th in scoring) leaned on Kyler Murray’s improvisation and a dominant ground game, but their red-zone offense (56.1% TD rate, 9th) masked a lack of creativity. The Seahawks (8th in passing, 12th in scoring) thrived on Geno Smith’s precision (70.4% completion) and the NFL’s best WR trio (3,200+ combined yards), but their run game (18th) lacked explosiveness outside of sporadic Charbonnet bursts. Edge: Seahawks (balanced, clutch in shootouts).
Defense: The Cardinals (14th in sacks, 21st in pass yards allowed) had underrated interior disruption (Stills/Collins) but a liability in man coverage (106 missed tackles). The Seahawks (T-14th in sacks, 9th in red-zone defense) relied on Leonard Williams’ late surge and Julian Love’s ball-hawking (3 INTs), but their 24th-ranked pressure rate left corners exposed. Edge: Seahawks (better secondary, situational discipline).
Overall: The Seahawks’ offensive depth (three 800+ yard receivers) and late-season defensive adjustments (3.1 sacks/game post-Week 6) give them a narrow edge. However, the Cardinals’ scheme versatility (Murray’s dual-threat gravity) and emerging defensive youth (Stills, Garrett Williams) suggest higher upside long-term. 2024 Verdict: Seahawks (more complete, playoff-tested), Cardinals (higher ceiling, needs defensive investment).
Underrated Insight: The Cardinals’ offense ranked 1st in plays of 20+ yards (67) but 27th in time of possession – a boom-or-bust identity that crumbled against disciplined defenses. The Seahawks’ 3rd-ranked third-down defense (35.5% allowed) let them control games, masking offensive inconsistencies.
AS OF NOW
Offense:
Arizona Cardinals:
Strengths:
Kyler Murray: Elite dual-threat QB with 3,851 passing yards, 26 total TDs, and 572 rushing yards (7.3 Y/A) in 2024.
Ground Dominance: Ranked 5th in rushing (2,451 yards, 18 TDs) behind James Conner’s power (1,094 yards) and Murray’s mobility.
Playmakers: Marvin Harrison Jr. (885 yards, 8 TDs) and Trey McBride (1,146 yards) formed a dynamic young core
Weaknesses:
Situational Struggles: Ranked 21st in third-down conversions (44.6%) and 27th in time of possession in 2024.
Seattle Seahawks:
Additions:
Cooper Kupp: In 2024, he posted 710 yards, 6 TDs, and a 67% catch rate (67 receptions) as a reliable third-down weapon.
Sam Darnold: Revitalized his career in 2024 with a 14-3 record, 4,319 pass yards (5th in NFL), 35 TDs (5th), but 12 INTs (65th percentile).
Strengths:
Revamped WR Corps: Kupp (slot) + Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1,130 yards) + Marquez Valdes-Scantling (4.3 speed) offered versatility.
Play-Action Efficiency: Darnold’s 68% completion rate under pressure paired with Kupp’s reliability.
Weaknesses:
Health Risks: Kupp’s injury history (13 missed games since 2022) lingered, and Valdes-Scantling’s 45% career catch rate raised concerns.
Turnover Risk: Darnold’s 12 INTs (third-most in 2024) threatened drive sustainability.
Edge: Cardinals (higher floor, balanced attack) vs. Seahawks (volatile but upgraded with Kupp).
Defense:
Defense:
Arizona Cardinals:
Additions:
Josh Sweat (DE): In 2024, he tallied 13.5 sacks and transforms the pass rush.
Dalvin Tomlinson (DT): Added elite run defense (82.3 PFF grade) to anchor the interior.
Weaknesses:
Secondary Vulnerabilities: Allowed 7.0 Air Yards/Attempt (15th) but ranked 21st in pass defense due to 106 missed tackles (6th-most).
Seattle Seahawks:
Additions:
DeMarcus Lawrence (DE): Added 9.0 sacks in 2024, pairs with Leonard Williams (11 sacks) to form a strong edge duo.
Weaknesses:
Secondary Depth: Lost Tre Brown (3 INTs in 2024).
Edge: Cardinals (improved pass rush and run defense) vs. Seahawks (strong edge duo but coverage concerns).
Underrated X-Factors:
Cardinals: Kyler Murray’s scrambling gravity (7.3 Y/A) forced defenses to spy him, freeing Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride for explosive plays.
Seahawks: Cooper Kupp’s third-down reliability (75% career catch rate) salvaged Seattle’s 21st-ranked third-down offense (44.6%).
Final Verdict:
Cardinals: NFC West favorites with a top-10 offense (5th in rushing, 12th in scoring) and ascending defense. Their continuity and red-zone efficiency (56.1% TD rate) offset situational flaws.
Seahawks: Kupp’s addition transformed their WR room, but Darnold’s turnover risk and defensive holes kept them a wildcard bubble team.
Projected 2025 Records:
Cardinals: 11-6 (division title, playoff lock).
Seahawks: 9-8 (playoffs hinge on Kupp’s health and Darnold’s ball security).
Key Stat:
The Cardinals’ 5th-ranked rushing attack and retained offensive core provided stability.
The Seahawks lost 74% of their 2024 receiving yards but added Kupp, whose 67% catch rate (2024) offered reliability.
Bottom Line: The Cardinals’ balanced roster held the edge, but Seattle’s ceiling rose with Kupp’s health and Darnold’s resurgence. Arizona’s defense (Sweat + Tomlinson) vs. Seattle’s offense (Kupp + Darnold) defines the NFC West race in 2025.
Considering I am not factoring in the Rams at all here...I would make it 10-7 myself. I think Vegas will have us at 9.5.
PRE-FA 2024 Seahawks vs. Cardinals: Head-to-Head Comparison
Offense: The Cardinals (5th in rushing, 11th in scoring) leaned on Kyler Murray’s improvisation and a dominant ground game, but their red-zone offense (56.1% TD rate, 9th) masked a lack of creativity. The Seahawks (8th in passing, 12th in scoring) thrived on Geno Smith’s precision (70.4% completion) and the NFL’s best WR trio (3,200+ combined yards), but their run game (18th) lacked explosiveness outside of sporadic Charbonnet bursts. Edge: Seahawks (balanced, clutch in shootouts).
Defense: The Cardinals (14th in sacks, 21st in pass yards allowed) had underrated interior disruption (Stills/Collins) but a liability in man coverage (106 missed tackles). The Seahawks (T-14th in sacks, 9th in red-zone defense) relied on Leonard Williams’ late surge and Julian Love’s ball-hawking (3 INTs), but their 24th-ranked pressure rate left corners exposed. Edge: Seahawks (better secondary, situational discipline).
Overall: The Seahawks’ offensive depth (three 800+ yard receivers) and late-season defensive adjustments (3.1 sacks/game post-Week 6) give them a narrow edge. However, the Cardinals’ scheme versatility (Murray’s dual-threat gravity) and emerging defensive youth (Stills, Garrett Williams) suggest higher upside long-term. 2024 Verdict: Seahawks (more complete, playoff-tested), Cardinals (higher ceiling, needs defensive investment).
Underrated Insight: The Cardinals’ offense ranked 1st in plays of 20+ yards (67) but 27th in time of possession – a boom-or-bust identity that crumbled against disciplined defenses. The Seahawks’ 3rd-ranked third-down defense (35.5% allowed) let them control games, masking offensive inconsistencies.
AS OF NOW
Offense:
Arizona Cardinals:
Strengths:
Kyler Murray: Elite dual-threat QB with 3,851 passing yards, 26 total TDs, and 572 rushing yards (7.3 Y/A) in 2024.
Ground Dominance: Ranked 5th in rushing (2,451 yards, 18 TDs) behind James Conner’s power (1,094 yards) and Murray’s mobility.
Playmakers: Marvin Harrison Jr. (885 yards, 8 TDs) and Trey McBride (1,146 yards) formed a dynamic young core
Weaknesses:
Situational Struggles: Ranked 21st in third-down conversions (44.6%) and 27th in time of possession in 2024.
Seattle Seahawks:
Additions:
Cooper Kupp: In 2024, he posted 710 yards, 6 TDs, and a 67% catch rate (67 receptions) as a reliable third-down weapon.
Sam Darnold: Revitalized his career in 2024 with a 14-3 record, 4,319 pass yards (5th in NFL), 35 TDs (5th), but 12 INTs (65th percentile).
Strengths:
Revamped WR Corps: Kupp (slot) + Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1,130 yards) + Marquez Valdes-Scantling (4.3 speed) offered versatility.
Play-Action Efficiency: Darnold’s 68% completion rate under pressure paired with Kupp’s reliability.
Weaknesses:
Health Risks: Kupp’s injury history (13 missed games since 2022) lingered, and Valdes-Scantling’s 45% career catch rate raised concerns.
Turnover Risk: Darnold’s 12 INTs (third-most in 2024) threatened drive sustainability.
Edge: Cardinals (higher floor, balanced attack) vs. Seahawks (volatile but upgraded with Kupp).
Defense:
Defense:
Arizona Cardinals:
Additions:
Josh Sweat (DE): In 2024, he tallied 13.5 sacks and transforms the pass rush.
Dalvin Tomlinson (DT): Added elite run defense (82.3 PFF grade) to anchor the interior.
Weaknesses:
Secondary Vulnerabilities: Allowed 7.0 Air Yards/Attempt (15th) but ranked 21st in pass defense due to 106 missed tackles (6th-most).
Seattle Seahawks:
Additions:
DeMarcus Lawrence (DE): Added 9.0 sacks in 2024, pairs with Leonard Williams (11 sacks) to form a strong edge duo.
Weaknesses:
Secondary Depth: Lost Tre Brown (3 INTs in 2024).
Edge: Cardinals (improved pass rush and run defense) vs. Seahawks (strong edge duo but coverage concerns).
Underrated X-Factors:
Cardinals: Kyler Murray’s scrambling gravity (7.3 Y/A) forced defenses to spy him, freeing Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride for explosive plays.
Seahawks: Cooper Kupp’s third-down reliability (75% career catch rate) salvaged Seattle’s 21st-ranked third-down offense (44.6%).
Final Verdict:
Cardinals: NFC West favorites with a top-10 offense (5th in rushing, 12th in scoring) and ascending defense. Their continuity and red-zone efficiency (56.1% TD rate) offset situational flaws.
Seahawks: Kupp’s addition transformed their WR room, but Darnold’s turnover risk and defensive holes kept them a wildcard bubble team.
Projected 2025 Records:
Cardinals: 11-6 (division title, playoff lock).
Seahawks: 9-8 (playoffs hinge on Kupp’s health and Darnold’s ball security).
Key Stat:
The Cardinals’ 5th-ranked rushing attack and retained offensive core provided stability.
The Seahawks lost 74% of their 2024 receiving yards but added Kupp, whose 67% catch rate (2024) offered reliability.
Bottom Line: The Cardinals’ balanced roster held the edge, but Seattle’s ceiling rose with Kupp’s health and Darnold’s resurgence. Arizona’s defense (Sweat + Tomlinson) vs. Seattle’s offense (Kupp + Darnold) defines the NFC West race in 2025.
Considering I am not factoring in the Rams at all here...I would make it 10-7 myself. I think Vegas will have us at 9.5.
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