Hawks vs Cards

[wait_a_sec]

Ball control ball control ball control. Best (scoring) D and special teams play wins this one. Arians will have his defense ready on a long week. Our O line will have their hands full. All they have been hearing is how tough Seattle looks right now and how bad Cards chances are. Fuel for them. Oh, and the division title rests on this. No pressure. I think the spread is too high. I hope I'm totally wrong and we keep rolling, but this one could be an uncomfortable nail biter.

[burrrton]

I have a begrudging respect for Arians (Fisher, too), but if they can beat us with their 3rd-string QB with all that's on the line, we don't deserve the playoffs.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

I'm sure there is no doubt among everyone on here that the Cardinals' D/ST can hang with anyone. Their offense has obviously taken a hit by having to rely on Thomas and Lindley, but all that does is get me thinking about the Rams game earlier this year. No way I would have seen Austin Davis doing what he did; it was killing me to see him connect on those deep passes late in the game. On the flip side, our defense looks to have righted the ship and are playing with intensity and focus well beyond what was exhibited in St. Louis. The Seahawks know what is on the line, so I know they'll be ready, but the Cardinals will be dangerous, and Arians, like Fischer, will do everything he can to maximize his QBs' chances for success.

[mykc14]

I have a begrudging respect for Arians (Fisher, too), but if they can beat us with their 3rd-string QB with all that's on the line, we don't deserve the playoffs.

Ahhh, I do to. I really want to just like him for the job that he has done down there, it really is special especially when considering the amount of injuries they have had, but he comes off as so arrogant and a little douchey sometimes. When a player complains about what the media says about them it's like okay whatever, but when a coach does it it's like why are you listening so much to what they are saying? Also, saying crap like 'there's a new sheriff in town' after beating us last year was stupid. I mean if the win would have given them the division or something it might make sense, but it didn't. I don't know stuff like that just annoys me. Fisher I don't mind as much I hate that he beats us with his trick plays but as far as a coach he has done a fine job with no QB and I have nothing but respect for him.

[Long Time Fan]

The team that gets behind early will have a tough hill to climb. A two score lead in the second half should hold up. The Seahawks in particular need to stay on schedule; 2nd and manageable, third and short...For goodness sake no penalty induced third and longs.

Some early series RW read option runs to loosen up the dl pursuit would pay game long dividends.

[kalibane]

The #1 priority should be coming up with a game plan to negate Calais Campbell. He dominates in games against Seahawks and has the single biggest impact on the Cardinal's chances to win.

[Hawktawk]

Bruce Arians. Thats my concern. Lindley should be easy pickings. if Janoris Jenkins could catch he would have been last week. Still they figured out a way to win that mud wrestling match on the road against a hot team. I'm concerned. There isn't much room for error, especially mistakes against a team that is a proven winner and has it all in their hands as well.I haven't seen a line. If Seattle is favored substantially that is ridiculous IMO. I think its going to be tight.

[HumanCockroach]

No WEIRD calls by the Refs, and an evenly called game is my biggest concern, no waiting to see the outcome of a play, and then throwing a flag if it doesn't result in a Cards advantage, no guys falling into the endzone, only to be spotted on the one, none of the bizarro Card calls they have receivede a crazy amount of this season at home, and the Hawks should win. If those odd calls are made, could make for an interesting game.

( oh and whomever wins the turnover battle IMHO will win the game)

[mykc14]

Tough game. The Cards blitz a ton. If RW can beat the blitz with his arm, or his legs for that matter, I think the Hawks can win this game comfortably. That is a big 'if' though as the Cards D at home is really good and the Hawks might be without Unger and Okung, big losses in this game because of the amount and different types of blitzes Bowles comes up with. Communication between the OL and RW will be key, especially concerning blitzers. Also, we need to be working on those hot reads this week, get that ball out quick.

[NorthHawk]

Both teams have a lot to play for so it will be tough for us to pull it off.
Even though the Cards are down to their 3rd QB, they will still play the same. It's not as if Lindley is a pure rookie, he has been around and played a few games over the last few years so he's at least familiar with NFL Defenses.

The key for us is for our Defense to get pressure on Lindley and make him throw before he wants to. But that's the plan for all QBs, isn't it?
They have both big WRs and speed in Brown, so if we don't get good pressure, we could get torched.

On Offense, it's the same thing as the last few weeks, no turnovers and grind it out with the run game hopefully being put in a good position by the Defense.

On ST, Ryan can't drop the ball like he has 2 time the last few games.

This game will be close even if our Defense plays very well and without the Cards having Palmer at QB.

[THX-1138]

Honey Badger has built the right culture and mindset in AZ, something very similar to what the Hawks have done, and he has made sure the team has a chip on their shoulder. He is also quite arrogant and that can sometimes be a coach's undoing...*cough, cough Harbaugh*...

Lindley was one of the QB's involved in that absolute b**ch slapping the Hawks laid down on the Cards a few years back. He's already been dumped by two teams this year and was on his couch for part of the season. Thomas has zero real NFL experience and BA has talked about implementing packages for him against the Hawks. I know that perhaps stranger things have happened, but let's get real. The game is between our D and their O. We have sufficient offense to get a lead. RW and Beast absolutely don't give up. I can't see how their O can score more than FG's against our D. If our D allows a TD in this game then there is a serious problem. Lindley is NOT an accurate passer. He hasn't gotten better in practice this week if he hasn't gotten good enough for an NFL team to even keep him on a practice squad this season. The only reason he's back with the Cards is because they were completely out of options. Without a real QB I just can't see how they can get in a position to score a TD. Our D would have to suffer several complete breakdowns in execution and technique at key points in the game. Fitz is great but who is going to get him the ball? BA is talking a tough game about how this isn't the same Lindley from 2012 but his actions say something different. BA unloaded him already this season.

The only team that could possibly beat the Hawks this Sunday is themselves.

[Hawktawk]

No WEIRD calls by the Refs, and an evenly called game is my biggest concern, no waiting to see the outcome of a play, and then throwing a flag if it doesn't result in a Cards advantage, no guys falling into the endzone, only to be spotted on the one, none of the bizarro Card calls they have received a crazy amount of this season at home, and the Hawks should win. If those odd calls are made, could make for an interesting game.

( oh and whomever wins the turnover battle IMHO will win the game)

+1.

Lets face it, if Seattle wins the odds are very good the NFC goes through the clink. I do not see the Rams winning in Seattle. So this game with its two story lines is intriguing from a what would the league prefer standpoint. Seattle with its established superstars on both sides of the ball and the raucous 12 hosting at least 1 game?Or the no name Cardinals and their charismatic good old boy coach trying to route the NFC through their house all the way to the Superbowl. Maybe the Larry Fitzgerald retirement tour?

Seattle should win if they take care of the ball, catch Lindleys mistakes, and there is no manipulation of the outcome from the refs. I always worry about the last one.

[Long Time Fan]

The only team that could possibly beat the Hawks this Sunday is themselves.

This opponent deserves more respect than that. But I agree that the Hawks control their own fate.

[THX-1138]

The only team that could possibly beat the Hawks this Sunday is themselves.

This opponent deserves more respect than that. But I agree that the Hawks control their own fate.

From whom, me? Why? I'm not playing them. Besides, did you not read the very first thing I wrote? And then you agree with me.

I wrote enough stuff that could have possibly been debated so go ahead and pick a point to dispute. Just don't do a "drive-by" posting. I stand by my post. For the Hawks to lose this game they will have to absolutely play completely out of character. Our D is better than their O. If you don't score you don't win. I absolutely do not believe that the current QB in AZ has the ability to beat this Hawks defense. I cannot even conceive how he would do it outside of utilizing some sort of Hogwarts magic.

But as for me respecting Arizona, I see no need. I don't play a position for the Hawks and don't coach any of their positions. I am a nobody on the internet. It's my JOB to not worry about Arizona's recently re-acquired 3rd string QB who has been dumped by two teams this year and was sitting at home watching NFL games this very season.

[HumanCockroach]

I'm not seeing any reason to give them "more" respect. They have won eleven, congrats. That's about as far as I am willing to go with it. I'm not entirely sure HOW they won eleven ( well minus a few mulligans that seem to be given to the Cards in the desert all season) but it isn't with some sort of dominant play. Arizona IMHO is the LUCKIEST 11 win team I can recall ever seeing, ever in my life time.

Lots of smoke and mirrors, I respect their coaches a lot, the talent and skill of the players on the field? Not so much.

[burrrton]

Arizona IMHO is the LUCKIEST 11 win team I can recall ever seeing, ever in my life time.

I was reading something recently about the percentage of fumbles they've recovered and it was off the charts iirc. They recover a disproportionately high % of opponent fumbles and they've lost an appallingly low % of their own.

I'm not sure how much that figures into their record being all luck, but it points to them having played a charmed season to this point.

We'll see if it continues. If it does against us, hats off.

[politicalfootball]

We are peaking right now and are ready to take on any team
They just have a good record full of chumps who couldn't keep the fire going long enough
we are playing great because of coach Carroll we are in playoff form now so look out Cards
you are going down. Just hope they make it interesting and not a blowout

[Zorn76]

Apparently, the Cards plan on staying as aggressive as possible on offense, even with Lindley getting the nod.

http://espn.go.com/blog/arizona-cardina ... y-sling-it

We have a golden opportunity here to win the field position battle early, to create shorter fields to score from. And with an offense like ours - adequate but far from being excellent - that would be an enormous advantage.

Likewise, forcing AZ to go long distances for any points will be crucial.

Their D is gonna have to win this game for them, basically. I think they're gonna need a minimum of 2 or 3 turnovers to beat us.

I also think if Seattle can reach the 17-20 point mark, we'll win.

Seahawks, 20-13.

[Hawktawk]

I was kind of surprised Arians put Lindley in the game after the Stanton injury. Thomas entered the game #2 on the depth chart. Arians could have been a goat if Jenkins could squeeze a pick but he wound up looking like a genius. After thinking it over I suspected Arians did not want Seattle to get any more film on Logan Thomas. IMO that was the reason he inserted a guy with 7 picks, no TDs in 181 attempts(an NFL record I believe)and a 1-6 record as a starter. With Arians statement that he indeed has a "package" of plays for Thomas I'm going to predict the kid is going to be a big part of the game plan.

AZ has NO pressure on them. They have already overachieved being a playoff team , are undefeated at home, and yet enter the game as 8 point dogs. And as a carrot they have HFA and a home game in the SB dangling in front of them if they win Sunday.
We will see the kitchen sink. Its going to be a war. I hope Seattle buries them but I get the feeling its going to be another NFC West punch-out.

[mykc14]

I was kind of surprised Arians put Lindley in the game after the Stanton injury. Thomas entered the game #2 on the depth chart. Arians could have been a goat if Jenkins could squeeze a pick but he wound up looking like a genius. After thinking it over I suspected Arians did not want Seattle to get any more film on Logan Thomas. IMO that was the reason he inserted a guy with 7 picks, no TDs in 181 attempts(an NFL record I believe)and a 1-6 record as a starter. With Arians statement that he indeed has a "package" of plays for Thomas I'm going to predict the kid is going to be a big part of the game plan.

AZ has NO pressure on them. They have already overachieved being a playoff team , are undefeated at home, and yet enter the game as 8 point dogs. And as a carrot they have HFA and a home game in the SB dangling in front of them if they win Sunday.
We will see the kitchen sink. Its going to be a war. I hope Seattle buries them but I get the feeling its going to be another NFC West punch-out.

I don't think that was the case. He needed to win that game. Personally, I think it says everything you need to know about how comfortable he feels about Logan Thomas running their O right now. Really Thomas is a project that shouldn't be playing this year anyway, he isn't nearly ready. He's a practice squad guy that they didn't want to lose so they put him on the active roster. They really like his upside but not yet. Lindley basically is in the same boat but with more experience and way less upside. He is a practice squad QB who should only be taking emergency snaps in the NFL, which is what he is doing as the Tards 3/4th string QB.

[burrrton]

Apparently, the Cards plan on staying as aggressive as possible on offense, even with Lindley getting the nod.

I hope so.

[NorthHawk]

I was kind of surprised Arians put Lindley in the game after the Stanton injury. Thomas entered the game #2 on the depth chart. Arians could have been a goat if Jenkins could squeeze a pick but he wound up looking like a genius. After thinking it over I suspected Arians did not want Seattle to get any more film on Logan Thomas. IMO that was the reason he inserted a guy with 7 picks, no TDs in 181 attempts(an NFL record I believe)and a 1-6 record as a starter. With Arians statement that he indeed has a "package" of plays for Thomas I'm going to predict the kid is going to be a big part of the game plan.

AZ has NO pressure on them. They have already overachieved being a playoff team , are undefeated at home, and yet enter the game as 8 point dogs. And as a carrot they have HFA and a home game in the SB dangling in front of them if they win Sunday.
We will see the kitchen sink. Its going to be a war. I hope Seattle buries them but I get the feeling its going to be another NFC West punch-out.

I think Arians has put a LOT of pressure on them with his style and comments.
With his comments and focus on getting to play in the SB in their home stadium, he's pushing them every week to not let some other NFC team use their lockers.
I think this focus makes them play better - maybe even over their head.

[Futureite]

Honey Badger has built the right culture and mindset in AZ, something very similar to what the Hawks have done, and he has made sure the team has a chip on their shoulder. He is also quite arrogant and that can sometimes be a coach's undoing...*cough, cough Harbaugh*...

Lindley was one of the QB's involved in that absolute b**ch slapping the Hawks laid down on the Cards a few years back. He's already been dumped by two teams this year and was on his couch for part of the season. Thomas has zero real NFL experience and BA has talked about implementing packages for him against the Hawks. I know that perhaps stranger things have happened, but let's get real. The game is between our D and their O. We have sufficient offense to get a lead. RW and Beast absolutely don't give up. I can't see how their O can score more than FG's against our D. If our D allows a TD in this game then there is a serious problem. Lindley is NOT an accurate passer. He hasn't gotten better in practice this week if he hasn't gotten good enough for an NFL team to even keep him on a practice squad this season. The only reason he's back with the Cards is because they were completely out of options. Without a real QB I just can't see how they can get in a position to score a TD. Our D would have to suffer several complete breakdowns in execution and technique at key points in the game. Fitz is great but who is going to get him the ball? BA is talking a tough game about how this isn't the same Lindley from 2012 but his actions say something different. BA unloaded him already this season.

The only team that could possibly beat the Hawks this Sunday is themselves.

Lol!! And in AZ I bet they are saying exactly what you all were saying 2 yrs ago. We don't mund the talkung, this team has needed swagger and someone to stick up for them forever, etc. Same exact thing different uniform color. As it was when JH did the same thing to reinvigorate our team's self esteem after yrs of losing.

But enough of that BS. This could be a hell of a game (hoping). Still see Hawks pullung away late 3rd early 4th. IMO rhe key is whether AZ can establish any sort of run game wirh Taylor. If they can, they can win. If not, they lose by 10+.

[RiverDog]

IMO rhe key is whether AZ can establish any sort of run game wirh Taylor. If they can, they can win. If not, they lose by 10+.

I don't think stopping the run will be a problem. We've been very good at stuffing the run since we got Wagner back and Kam healed. Additionally, Arizona's offense is not a grind it out, move the chains type of offense. I don't see any 12 play, 70 yard drives coming from them, especially with a vagabond quarterback at the helm. They live off the big play, and that's what we need to prevent.

All we need to do is get some offense going. 10 points might be enough to win this one.

[savvyman]

Yes I am expecting a very Vanilla game plan - Coach Carroll probably thinks that with the Top QB's and running backs out for the Cardinals their only chance to score most points will come off of turnovers. Therefore offensive strategy number 1 will be to Not Turn the Ball Over.

[politicalfootball]

Interesting game its how good our defense can hold them with their 3rd string QB we should score at least 25 points and hold them to 10. I see a Hawks win here no wavering ,we win.

[burrrton]

This is the first game in a long time I've gone into thinking there was no way the other team had any chance at all of beating us.

That makes me nervous.

[Zorn76]

This is the first game in a long time I've gone into thinking there was no way the other team had any chance at all of beating us.

That makes me nervous.

Well, it's a road game, so in that way, anything is possible.

The Seahawks are on a roll though, clearly, and have to be comforted by the fact that we beat them last time, albeit at The Clink.

We have the secondary to cover any opposing team's WR's, and this game is no exception. Can't bite on fake out patterns and have them try to turn it up field. As others have mentioned, the Cards are going to need huge plays from several different areas to pull this off. That would mean a TD on ST or defensively, to allow them to try to dictate the game to us.

I think Seattle will be able to produce enough points to force AZ into stuff they may not want to do, and Lindley is being thrust into a game that's hardly ideal to make a 1st start of the season.

In the end, we win. We're on too much of a roll to stop now, and even with Stanton, the Cards would be very challenged in this matchup.

It may not be pretty, and this is a very good team defensively, but I still think we prevail.

I'm sticking to my score of Seahawks, 20-13.

Go Seahawks!!!

[Futureite]

River;

I have to agree with you. That is why I am "hoping" for a good game. If I had to put money on it I'd go Hawks by 10+. Cards absolutely must get the run game going to open up playaction. It's hard to see that happening.

[Hawktawk]

Arians ticked me off with his smug good old boy news conference on NFL Radio. In talking about his offense he said his receivers would have to be able to catch with guys hands al over them because "they just don't call it on those guys". Huh? At the Clink vs AZ I watched Maxwell get lit up on a perfect pass defense play and Sherman later on. Seattle couldn't buy a call in that game till the 4th quarter. It agitated me listening to him lobbying the league for flags with a wink and a nod. I don't know what will happen tomorrow night but I've developed a serious loathing for the Tards over the past 24 hrs.' that I never had before. I hope we start a streak on them like we did on the Rams in 2005. Like 10-12 in a row and Mr. huggable gramps Arians is long since retired on his couch. KILL EM HAWKS!!!!!A year ago AZ ruined the Hawks home record. Well....paybacks a mofo...

[monkey]

In the absence of a predictions thread, I guess I will put mine here.

Seahawks 16 Cardinals 9

I think this one is going to be a battle royale. A rumble in the desert, a heavy weight fight where the defenses from both teams control the tempo and the game until the final gun.
In the end it will come down to our QB being able to improvise and make plays, and our RB(s) being better and more able to control TOP that will finally separate the two teams, with a BIG play by Wilson combined with several tough runs by Lynch in the fourth quarter leading to the only touchdown of the game, the one which finally salts it away.

I'd prefer an absolute beat down blowout victory, but in Arizona, against that terrific defense, I doubt that happens.

[mykc14]

Arians ticked me off with his smug good old boy news conference on NFL Radio. In talking about his offense he said his receivers would have to be able to catch with guys hands al over them because "they just don't call it on those guys". Huh? At the Clink vs AZ I watched Maxwell get lit up on a perfect pass defense play and Sherman later on. Seattle couldn't buy a call in that game till the 4th quarter. It agitated me listening to him lobbying the league for flags with a wink and a nod. I don't know what will happen tomorrow night but I've developed a serious loathing for the Tards over the past 24 hrs.' that I never had before. I hope we start a streak on them like we did on the Rams in 2005. Like 10-12 in a row and Mr. huggable gramps Arians is long since retired on his couch. KILL EM HAWKS!!!!!A year ago AZ ruined the Hawks home record. Well....paybacks a mofo...

Yeah I posting my feelings about Arians in another thread but he is quickly becoming a coach that I do not really like and with Harbaugh leaving its a perfect time for us to start realizing we have another douche of a coach in our division.

[wait_a_sec]

Looked this morning at the spread and it ticked up another point to 8.5. Hawks are 12-1 in prime time. I still think this is going to be closer than Vegas is thinking. We might have a new rival in the making.

9ers blew a 28-7 lead last night and lost in OT. Kaep went from all smiles in the first half to the usual frown for the rest of the game.

Would love to see an old fashion blowout, but still leaning conservative. 20-13 ball hawkers.

[RiverDog]

If our offense can score in the double digits, we win. I hope Russell eats his Wheaties this morning as he may be doing a lot of running this evening.

[Futureite]

I got Seattle 24 Cards 13. Hawks will wear them down late 3rd early 4th and Lindley will probably turn the ball over in the 4th with the game still within reach.

Good luck!

[wait_a_sec]

Well that was completely awesome. Dominant. Onward!