Know Thine Enemy: Week 10 - The Sea-chickens

[RugbyMuffin]

Seattle Seahawks: (3-5)

Depth Chart: http://www.seahawks.com/team/depth-chart.html

Team Stats: http://www.nfl.com/teams/seattleseahawks/profile?team=SEA

Injuries (coming later today): http://www.nfl.com/injuries

Quick Breakdown:
There is not too much different with the Seahawks, then when we played them a few weeks ago. They have had one win since we last played them against the Lions. Lofa Tatupu, and two starting OT's are on I.R. The offense is one dimensional and can only pass, and the defense while solid has holes. Not to mention the team is pretty banged up on the defensive side of the ball.

Offense:
The Seahawks offense is Matt Hasselbeck. His receivers have big names, but the production out of the unit is average at best. The running game is no where to be found.

The Cardinals match up well against the WR's in Seattle. Put McFadden on TJ Housh and DRC on Burleson and we should be OK. John Carlson their TE was hyped up in the offseason, but he is not like the TE from Chicago, Olson. Wilson, Rolle, and Dansby should be able to handle the Seattle TE. The Cardinals play their style game, and they should be fine, even dominant in this game.



Defense:
The Seattle defense, even with Tatupu out of the lineup, can still give the Cardinals problems. Patrick Kearney is going against his money OT in Levi Brown. But, the pass rush threats stop there. The secondary is getting better each and every game, but the Seattle DB's still match up very poorly against the Arizona passing attack.


The Cardinals offense should be geared up for this game. With the success the Caridnals had with their running game last week, they should be excited to try and duplicate that success. If the Cardinals can get the run game going, then the Seahawks are dead in the water. Their CB's are too small to cover Fitzgerald or Boldin 1 on 1. If the run game forces that situation, the Cardinals can run awya with this game.


My Thoughts through 9 weeks:

I am 2 weeks into my probation with the Cardinals. The Bears victory didn't squash my feelings that this team is Jekyll and Hyde, it only supported that title a little more. I hate to be negative after such a grea dominant win, but the Cardinals didn't really gain any ground as a team last week. The did not regress, but they didn't improve either. But that is mainly because last week's oppourtunity didn't provide them with a situation that they could take a step forward.

That takes us to this week. Seattle. At Home. After a big win. I don't know about what the Cardinals players are thinking, or what the coaches are thinking, but I personally would be treating this game like a playoff game. I would treat this game like monster in the closet, or the monkey on my back.

If the Cardinals want to improve, this would be a huge step. Squash the inconsistant label, and re-assert yourselves at home. The Seattle team is beat up, and there is blood in the water. Break out the killer instinct and finish this divisional foe off. Beat them by 50 points, and kick them in the arse while the walk off the field.

Not looking past the Seahawks, but with the Rams on the schedule after this game, the Caridnals are looking at 2 extremely winnable games. But, in the NFL, an "easy win", still implies that you put in all the hard work during the week, and show up game day looking to give maximum effort.

If this team pulls its classic, piss poor playing style this week then it will lose a golden oppourtunity to beat up on a division opponent, and put the final nail in the Seahawks season's coffin. Not to mention setup up a great scenario where they could be going into Tennesee at 7-3.

 

[PACardsFan]

Solid assessment. This is THE pivotal game that will determine how successful we will be this year. With a 1-3 record at home, I have to agree that we will treat this game as a playoff game. Whiz is infuriated & disgusted by how we have played at home this year. From a gameplan standpoint, Whiz will unveil everything we have. We need to execute & blow Seattle out early. If we allow them to stay in the game & the fans turn on us, then uncertainty follows. Seattle will come in loosy goosy since no one expects them to win. Will the Cardinals answer the bell?? I think they will & I see us gathering steam as the season progresses. A loss though would be a MAJOR blow. By halftime, we'll have a pretty good idea.

 

[TJ]

Nice post Rugby! Short, sweet, to the point.

I posted before the Carolina game some questions that still surround the Cardinals. They were:

• Can the Cards handle success?
• Can the Cards maintain consistency?
• Can the Cards "Protect the Nest?"
• Will the Cards play down to their opponent's level?

They can make a strong argument with a "W" Sunday.

 

[Perfectionist]

My Thoughts through 9 weeks:
I am 2 weeks into my probation with the Cardinals. The Bears victory didn't squash my feelings that this team is Jekyll and Hyde, it only supported that title a little more. I hate to be negative after such a grea dominant win, but the Cardinals didn't really gain any ground as a team last week. The did not regress, but they didn't improve either. But that is mainly because last week's oppourtunity didn't provide them with a situation that they could take a step forward.

I agree that we are probably still Jekyll and Hyde, but we did take a step forward last Sunday, at least on the offensive side of the ball. It is the best overall performance that I can remember in a long time. We finally had a running game and it sure maked thing easier on Kurt. That is definately a step forward. On the defensive side we had a lot of issues and did not take a step forward.

 

[LVG]

We are still Jekyll and Hyde. The CHI game did nothing to relieve my belief in that - a win against SEA would help, but not convince. A win against the Rams, a win or very close, well played game against the resurgent Titans, and the same against the Vikes would do much to convince me we have mostly gotten over our inconsistancy.

As I posted several weeks ago, this is the final game, in what is to me, a very telling 3 game arc in the season. We absolutly came out and flat out stunk against Carolina. We came on very strong, but appeared to start to let of the gas, then slammed the pedal to the metal against Chicago. Now, we need to see how we do against a beat up and downtrodden SEA team.

Going into Tennessee at 7-3 gives us some breathing room with the division. I think SF will win against the Bears, but lose against GB. That, combined with what I think will be a win-win for us, puts us 3 games up going into TEN.

Assume, for a moment, that we lose against TEN and the MIN. SF loses 1 (JAC), and wins 1 (SEA), and then we meet up at the 9ers, for MNF, with a 2 game lead. That MNF game will be our oppertunity to slam the door shut on the 9ers playoff hopes.

But that's a month from now. We need to be ready for the Seahawks on Sunday.

Great write up Rugby - as always

 

[Catfish]

Good stuff Muffin-------I just don't see the Cards laying an egg this week. This is a division foe, and the last to win the division before the Cards won. I see them coming out very focused and intent on playing hard, down to the wire. I see Hasslebeck having a tough time staying upright this week, and if that happens early, we could have a BIG day.