How the Arizona Cardinals match-up with: the Seattle Seahawks (Weeks 6 and 10)

Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks 

Week 6 - @Seattle, Qwest Field
Sunday, Oct. 18, 4:05 PM ET, FOX

Week 10 - @Arizona, University of Phoenix Stadium
Sunday, Nov. 15, 4:15 PM ET, FOX

All-time series: Arizona 11 - Seattle 9
Last 10 games: Arizona 5 - Seattle 5

Interesting Stat: Last year was the first time Arizona finished the season above Seattle in the division standings since the reorganization of the West.

Quarterback
Seahawks - Matt Hasselbeck is the hands-down veteran starter for this aging Seahawks team, but he has only played two full seasons in the last five years due to injuries.  In those five seasons, he has averaged a completion percentage under 60% and a quarterback rating of 81.3 - not exactly stunning.  Seneca Wallace has been the back-up to Hasselbeck since 2005 and I don't see that changing any time soon, though I'm not sure very many people in Seattle want to see Wallace take over this team when Hasselbeck does decide to throw in the towel.  That all said, the Seahawks drafted Mike Teel from Rutgers to add some depth and 3rd-year player Jeff Rowe has shown some promise, but I don't believe the Seahawks have their "quarterback of the future" yet.
Cardinals - Kurt Warner and Matt Hasselbeck are both playing on borrowed time, but while Hasselbeck has been battling injuries, Warner has been taking his team to the Super Bowl.  Not to say the Seahawk's QB can't still sling the ball, but if history is any indication, there's a chance he won't be playing in one or both of these two games anyway.
Edge: Cardinals, and I think Warner will prove why.

Running Back
Seahawks - With Maurice Morris now gone, the attention at this position turns to Julius Jones and most Seahawks fans probably aren't too upset about that.  Jones has had pretty consistent success throughout his career and has already proven that he can be a semi-successful featured back, but the question still remains about who will share the carries.  T.J. Duckett will probably find the back-up spot, but don't be surprised if Justin Forsett pushes for playing time.  Once again, just like the QB spot, I don't believe Seattle has found their "running back of the future" either.
Cardinals - This isn't a game in which the Cardinals will have to rely too heavily on the run game, as I think the Cardinals can throw all over the field against the Seahawks, but if Chris "Beanie" Wells and Tim Hightower do have things together by this game, watch out.  With zero run game, the Cardinals beat the Seahawks twice last year...If Wells makes an impact, Seattle has no chance.
Edge: Seahawks, due to experience.

Wide Receiver
Seahawks - Once again, age and injuries go hand-in-hand and there are concerns here.  However, the Seahawks made their best offseason move in getting T.J. Houshmandzadeh and chose wisely in drafting Deon Butler from Penn State in the third round.  Partner those two with Deion Branch and Nate Burleson, and you've got yourself what should be a pretty reliable core.  If everyone's healthy and if Butler can produce right away, this group should be okay, but those are two big if's.
Cardinals - Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston.  Period.
Edge: Cardinals, because using all of the letters in the three names above, you can spell, "How do we cover all these guys?"  Okay, so that's not true, but you better believe opposing teams are asking themselves that question every week.

Tight End
Seahawks - Don't let the fact that Seattle picked Cameron Morrah from California in the seventh round of the draft fool you.  John Carlson is the Seahawks main man, and for good reason.  Carlson rivals Vernon Davis from the 49ers for best tight end in the division.
Cardinals - In order of best to worst: Stephen Spach, Ben Patrick, Leonard Pope, Anthony Becht, Jerame Tuman, Dominique Byrd, Alex Shor - or switch the order...Geez, I don't know...
Edge: Seattle, without blinking an eye.

Offensive Line
Seahawks - It's very difficult to measure how this Seahawks group is going to come together this year.  Though they were in the middle of the NFL-pack in rushing and almost last in passing last year, they were blocking for Seneca Wallace and Maurice Morris (Wallace shouldn't play too many snaps this year and Morris is no longer with the team).  On top of that, almost every player on the offensive line has had some kind of injury that has limited play.  In fact, though there are some worries at other positions, next to the secondary, this could be the most worrisome of them all.  Picking up center Max Unger from Oregon in the second round of the draft was a pivotal pick-up, but I don't think it will be enough this year.
Cardinals - To be going into a Cardinals season without worrying about the offensive line is unfamiliar and yet refreshing.  There are some battles to watch throughout training camp, but they are simply competitive position battles because of depth, not because of lack of confidence.  This line will have it's hands full with the Seahawks defense, though, so the Cardinals will need every ounce of teamwork to win this battle.
Edge: Cardinals, and I think this position will be the difference in the game.

Defensive Line
Seahawks - This is a massive group of guys.  New addition Colin Cole is a beast, Brandon Mebane should be better this year after sliding to left tackle, and if the always dangerous Patrick Kerney can come back 100% after his injury, this line will be very hard to penetrate.  It doesn't hurt that the linebackers behind them are maybe the best in the NFC...
Cardinals - I don't see the Seahawks injury-prone offensive line holding Darnell Dockett and Bertrand Berry back all game long.  Though the Cardinals D-line probably isn't as strong as the Seahawks D-line, The D-line vs. O-line matchup favors the Cardinals.
Edge: Seahawks, they just have too much strength here.

Linebacker
Seahawks - No doubt the best position on this Seattle team, it only got better after the Seahawks grabbed Aaron Curry from Wake Forest, maybe the best overall player, in the first round of the draft.  If he can make an impact right away (and I think he can), next to Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill, they will be an unstoppable force.  Tatupu gave Arizona fits last year, so if the Cardinals can't contain him and Curry early, Warner may have some problems and the run game will definitely suffer.
Cardinals - Again, I cannot restate the importance of how Cody Brown will respond to the challenge of stepping in right away.  If he can join Karlos Dansby and Gerald Hayes on the field and can stay home and do his job, this will be a much improved linebacking corps.  Asking a rookie to do that, however, is asking a lot, so we'll just have to wait and see.
Edge: Seahawks, and probably will be better here for years to come.

Secondary
Seahawks - Very similar to the 49ers draft faux pas, it simply blows my mind that the Seahawks did not look to add to this position in the draft.  Though they added Ken Lucas from Carolina, they still have one of the softest units in the NFL (the softest in the NFL last year, in fact).  Marcus Trufant had an amazing 2007, but only brought down one INT last year since teams knew to stay away from him and because no one else in the secondary is a threat.  This is where the Seahawks lost most of their games last year, including the two losses to the Cardinals.  With very few answers in the offseason to this glaring weakness, I have a feeling the Cardinals will do their best to capitalize on it.
Cardinals - In stark opposition to Seattle, the Cardinals went head-first into fixing what was a sub-standard secondary last year.  Greg Toler, who looks a lot like last year's number one draft pick, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Rashad Johnson, an All-SEC safety, could both make an impact in their first years.
Edge: Cardinals, but that's not saying much.

Special Teams
Seahawks - Olindo Mare had the second most touchbacks off of kick-offs last year and made 89% of his field goals, so that position's all but locked up.  Punting is very solid with Jon Ryan as well, so we're done there.  Nate Burleson and Justin Forsett both did well returning punts last year and I think Forsett will probably thrive even more this year.  And lastly, on kick returns, Josh Wilson was pretty darn good, too.  Can't say there's many questions with this group.
Cardinals - Eh, who really needs special teams?  So we can't punt - we'll just have to score a touchdown every time down the field.  At least we have some guys that can return the ball.
Edge: Seattle, because they can punt...okay, and do everything else, too.

Overall
Seahawks - Just like last year, this game could come down to mistakes in the secondary and lack of offensive production for the Seahawks.  It really is too bad that Seattle couldn't add more young skill players to their secondary because their defense from the linebackers in is one of the best in the league.  Unfortunately, the cover-corners are definitely soft and Warner, Fitzgerald, Boldin, and Breaston shouldn't have too much trouble picking them apart.  On the other side of the ball, I will admit that there is a small minute chance that every single piece will come together all at once...that every offensive starter will be healthy...that the new Seahawaks will look more like the Seahawks of 2007.  But that's not where I'd put my money if I was a betting man.
Cardinals - In my mind, these two games won't be much different from last year's match-ups.  Warner threw for just under 400 yards in the first game and 263 yards and 4 touchdowns in the second (Leinart even stole some snaps in the second game due to the upcoming playoffs for the Cardinals).  Though I'm always worried about the intense pressure the Seahawks linebackers and linemen can put on the Cardinals, I trust more in the Red Birds' offensive line now than I ever have.  Put all that together, and I honestly don't think Seattle can keep up with the pace of Arizona this year.

Week 6 (pre-training camp) prediction: Cardinals 30 - Seattle 10
Week 10 (pre-training camp) prediction: Cardinals 27 - Seattle 17

Other Weekly Opponent Breakdowns:
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers - Weeks 1 and 14
Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - Week 2
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts - Week 3
Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans - Week 5
Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants - Week 7
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers - Week 8
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears - Week 9
Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams - Weeks 11 and 16
Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans - Week 12

For more Seattle Seahawks analysis:
Seattle Seahawks Examiner