Seattle Seahawks Drop Arizona Cardinals; Division Crown There For The Taking

By Tyson Sweet
Cliff Avril
Getty Images

The much anticipated showdown between the Seattle Seahawks (7-4) and the Arizona Cardinals (9-2) was fought and won by the defending champions, 19-3.

Coming off a close loss to the 7-4 Kansas City Chiefs last week, the Hawks needed to secure a victory at home to keep their chances at winning the division and, more importantly, their chances at making the playoffs alive.

Mission accomplished. The Cardinals’ defense showed up and played very well, sacking Russell Wilson seven times — five of which came in the first half. However, they were outdone by the defense of Seattle, which looked more like their 2013 form than they have all year. The Seahawks were flying all around the ball and, as a result, Drew Stanton and the Cardinals’ offense never had a chance.

Seattle has five games left, with four of them being within their own division. At 7-4, the Hawks are very much in it, but their defense will need to play at the same level every week if Seattle is to have a chance.

The revitalized defense of Seattle can mostly be attributed to a healthier Kam Chancellor, and the return of Bobby Wagner, who had last played against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. With those two in the lineup playing at a high level, Seattle instantly becomes a real threat to win the NFC West, but it will be difficult.

Seattle still has two games against the 7-4 San Francisco 49ers, and they will certainly have to win both those games. The first of two comes on Thursday, so it will be a short week of preparation. Outside of those two games, they still have the Cardinals and the 8-3 Philadelphia Eagles on the road — who have not lost a game at home all season — before they finally close out the season at home against upset specialists, the St. Louis Rams (4-7).

Stanton was sacked three times on the day, but he was under constant pressure and took a big hit from Bruce Irvin and appeared to have been injured on the play. Arizona was seen warming up backup rookie quarterback Logan Thomas, who is far from ready to take over QB duties. If Stanton is to miss any time, it could be a significant blow to the Cardinals.

If either the Hawks or the Niners can take over the NFC West, then I like Seattle’s chances more. Both teams have played all season without some key players, but Seattle has looked like a better team overall.

It will be a battle, but the Hawks are capable of going 2-0 against the Niners.

Tyson Sweet is a sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @The12thDude, like him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google!

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