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The Seahawks will conclude their 2021 season in Glendale, AZ when they visit their division rivals the Cardinals. Having been eliminated two weeks ago from postseason contention, the Seahawks are playing for pride… and to be a bit of a spoiler.
The Cardinals have already punched their playoff ticket, but they will likely be doing so as a Wild Card team. Despite leading the NFC West division for the majority of the season thanks to their 10-2 start, the Cardinals have lost three of their last four games.
Arizona still has a chance at winning the division outright if they win on Sunday and hope the 49ers beat the Rams. Of course, their hopes at winning the NFC West for the fourth time in franchise history will be dashed entirely if the Seahawks defeat them outright… which they have a shot at doing.
The Seahawks/Cardinals rivalry is a unique one. Often competitive with even splits, yet it’s usually the road team who claims victory in this series. Especially the Seahawks in Arizona. Since 2012, the Seahawks are 6-2-1 in the Valley of the Sun, compared to a paltry 4-6 record when they host the Cardinals in Seattle.
If anyone cares about superstitions related to uniforms, the Seahawks will be wearing their all-wolf grey alternates against the Cardinals. Seattle is 11-2-1 all time when wearing this combination.
Although the Cardinals are confirmed playoff bound, they will hardly be taking this game lightly. As previously stated, the Cardinals were cruising with a 10-2 record. They appeared to be locks not only for the division, but perhaps earning the No. 1 seed themselves.
Now Arizona is playing with a little desperation, eager to prove their late season slump was just a mere stumble and not indicative of yet another collapse under head coach Kliff Kingsbury, The Cards will certainly be looking at this game as one final opportunity to get it right before they start the playoffs.
The Seahawks may have dropped their game in Glendale last year in overtime, but historically this stadium is one of Seattle’s home away from home, alongside Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and Lincoln Financial in Philadelphia.
Arizona under Kingsbury has often started hot but burned far too bright early and have fizzled lately. Currently they might be on track to do so again. Arizona might have stopped the bleeding associated with their three-game losing streak, but could have easily lost to Dallas.
No one knows what the future will hold for the Seattle Seahawks following this game. It could be Russell Wilson’s final as a Seahawk, or Pete Carroll. Or perhaps both, and general manager John Schneider as well. If this is truly the end for one or any combination of the three, then I suspect there will be a little more motivation for the team to go out on a win.
Call it history, superstition, or just a good ole fashioned hunch, I like the Seahawks to claim victory.
Prediction: Seahawks upset Cardinals 28-26.
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