The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks will play for the second and final time of the regular season on Sunday.
In the first matchup, the Seahawks came into Arizona and scored 14 unanswered points in the first half, leading 14-3 at halftime. However, the Cardinals flipped the script with their own 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
But that left 28 seconds for the Seahawks to drive into field goal range and hit the walk-off kick for a 23-20 victory. A lot has changed for the two teams since their September matchup, as the Cardinals have a new man under center, and the Seahawks lead the NFC West division.
What Will Determine Sunday’s Outcome?
The line of scrimmage and the pass rush. Both teams have elite playmaking weapons on offense, but they need time to get those guys the ball.
The Seahawks defense is ranked No. 4 in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact, and they have the ninth-highest sack rate.
The Cardinals’ defense has struggled to finish plays this year, with the seventh-worst sack rate in the league, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact. However, that was without Walter Nolen III.
The rookie defensive lineman made his NFL debut last week, and Arizona’s pass rush was much improved.
In the first matchup between these division rivals, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was sacked six times, and Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked three times.
What Are the Key Injuries On Sunday?
The Cardinals ruled out three defenders on Friday morning. Cornerbacks Will Johnson and Max Melton, and linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. will all miss Sunday’s game.
Johnson is the Cardinals’ highest-graded cornerback and a Top 7 cornerback in the NFL, according to PFSN’s CB Impact. Wilson is the Cardinals’ signal-caller on defense.
The Seahawks have ruled out cornerback Josh Jobe, receiver Cooper Kupp is questionable, and receiver Tory Horton is doubtful.
Jobe is the Seahawks’ top-rated cornerback and ranked No. 18 in the NFL, according to PFSN’s CB Impact. Kupp missed last week against the Washington Commanders, and Horton broke out last week in Kupp’s absence.
The Cardinals were without Johnson and cornerback Garrett Williams in their first meeting with the Seahawks, so while not having Johnson and Melton out there, it’s not the end of the world.
Wilson, however, is the Cardinals’ leader on defense. Without him, Arizona will turn to rookie linebacker Cody Simon to wear the green dot. The young linebacker has played in a backup role throughout the season, but now he’ll be in charge on Sunday.
For the Seahawks, this will be the first game of the season without Jobe, and that could play a significant factor. If Kupp plays, he and Horton would switch spots from last week.
However, if Kupp and Horton miss the game, the Seahawks’ receiving room suddenly gets bare, behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
What Do the Cardinals Need To Do To Win?
Simply put, the Cardinals need to rush the passer and protect quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Arizona showed a different type of front four last week with Nolen in there, and they’re going to need another performance like that.
The Cardinals’ defensive performance was graded as its best of the 2025 season, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact, and Arizona had five sacks.
If Darnold has a clean pocket, he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. However, if you rattle him and get pressure in his face, that’s when you can create turnovers.
The Cardinals forced three turnovers against the Cowboys.
On the other side, Arizona has to protect Brissett. While the Cardinals had five sacks last week, they also gave up five sacks, which is what halted the offense in the second half and allowed the Cowboys to attempt a comeback.
The Cardinals’ offensive line is ranked No. 26 in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Team OL Impact, and they give up the sixth-most sacks in the league.
That isn’t a good combination with the Seahawks’ fourth-ranked defense and ninth-ranked sack defense.
If the Cardinals can disrupt Darnold, the Arizona defense can make some stops and get off the field. If they can protect Brissett and allow him to get the ball to his playmakers, the Cardinals’ offense can thrive.
In their first meeting, Marvin Harrison Jr. had six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown, and tight end Trey McBride had seven catches for 52 yards.
That was Harrison’s best game of the year outside of last week against the Cowboys. However, the Cardinals only had 89 rushing yards in the game, and Murray was their leading rusher.
The Cardinals’ offensive line is going to have to step up on Sunday if the Cardinals want to win. If running back Emari Demercado has a big game, and Harrison is getting the ball, odds are Arizona is doing well.
What Do the Seahawks Need To Do To Win?
The Seahawks really just need to play the same way they have all year. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been a star, and the defense has been lights out.
Smith-Njigba is the No. 1 receiver in the NFL, according to PFSN’s WR Impact. However, he had his worst week of the 2025 season in Week 4 against the Cardinals.
The Seahawks receiver had four catches for 79 yards and earned a C+ grade, his lone Impact grade below 80 this year.
If both Kupp and Horton are out, the challenge is still limiting Smith-Njigba. However, if Kupp plays, you have to defend both of them.
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On the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks have to get pressure on Brissett. The Cardinals’ offensive line has struggled all year long, and that’s been a strength for the Seahawks.
Brissett was sacked five times last week, and that was against a struggling Cowboys’ defense. Especially with Jobe out, the Seahawks have to win on defense up front.
Who Will Win the Game?
I’ve gone back and forth on this throughout the week. The Cardinals have a lot of positive momentum right now, and the Seahawks are coming off of arguably their best performance of the season.
Seattle is coming off its best offensive performance of the season, and Arizona is coming off its best defensive performance of the season.
I think the Cardinals go into Seattle and shock the Seahawks. Jobe’s injury is more meaningful to the Seahawks than the Cardinals’ defensive injuries.
The Cardinals played Seattle without their top two cornerbacks in Week 4, and it came down to a walk-off field goal.
Wilson is the most significant loss, but Simon has looked good in his limited snaps, and he’s a rookie from Ohio State, a school that prepares you for the next level.
I think the addition of Nolen changes the Cardinals’ defense and makes their front four extremely dangerous. Arizona will have a bunch of young players in the secondary, held together by veteran safety Budda Baker, who will fly around to make plays against a beat-up Seattle receiving core.
The Cardinals’ offensive line has to hold up, and Arizona must limit Smith-Njigba again, but I think they can. The Cardinals will win, 20-17, with a walk-off field goal to shake things up in the NFC West.