Here we are again. Exactly like last season, the Seattle Seahawks enter Week 18 needing a win over a division rival and hoping the Green Bay Packers lose to one of theirs at home. This time for Seattle, it’s a road trip to the desert to play the Arizona Cardinals.
It is the final division rematch for the Seahawks this year, having defeated the Cardinals 20-10 in Week 7… albeit, it was with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback, not Kyler Murray.
This could prove to be rather problematic for Seattle. Murray and the Cards offense are red hot, having upset the Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 on the road last week. Murray threw three second half touchdowns in the upset victory. However, Murray is 0-4 in his last four meetings against the Seahawks.
This is a massive game for Seattle. They need a win for a few reasons. First off, nothing will matter in the Green Bay game if they are unable to take care of business against Arizona. Second, this game will determine if the Seahawks finish with a winning record or not. With 17 games now, there’s no possibility of finishing at .500 anymore. Finally, Seattle has been swept by Los Angeles and San Francisco. Their only division win was against the Cardinals earlier this year. Ending the year 1-5 against the NFC West would be exceptionally disappointing.
Prediction: Seahawks survive, 31-29
The Cardinals are going to give the Seahawks a fight, expect nothing less. Especially since how poorly the Seattle defense has been playing. But if there is one thing I’ve learned about watching Pete Carroll’s Seahawks is to never truly count them out until it’s all said and done.
Seattle still has a shot at the playoffs. Crazier things have happened than the Seahawks qualifying for the postseason. We know this because crazier things have happened, like, last year.
In the end, the only thing Seattle can control is this game. I believe they are more than capable of outlasting Arizona in a potential shootout. As for the playoffs and the Packers, is there enough magic for lightning to strike twice? I’m not going to choose now to become pessimistic about this.