Cardinals at Seahawks

Seahawks host Cardinals in NFC West matchup at Lumen Field

Seattle hosts Arizona on Sunday at Lumen Field in a Week 9 NFC West game. The Seahawks are 4-4 and second in the division, but they are coming off a 34-17 home loss to Chicago. The Cardinals are 3-5 and last in the division, yet they arrive on a one-game win streak after a 33-30 comeback win at Dallas and are 3-2 on the road. Seattle can move to 5-4 and gain ground, while a Cardinals win would pull Arizona even at 4-5.

Keys to the game

• Seattle's defense has been the difference: the Seahawks allow 19.9 points per game, while Arizona gives up 29.8. The Cardinals' 21.9-point offense needs to keep pace to avoid a blowout.
• Arizona is 3-2 on the road and just won at Dallas, while Seattle is 3-2 at home but lost its last home game to Chicago 34-17. The Cardinals have reason to believe they can win at Lumen Field.
• Home teams have dominated this series since 2016, going 15-5-1 in 21 meetings, and the Seahawks won the most recent matchup 31-7. History and home field both point to Seattle.
• Both teams have significant injury concerns: Seattle will be without WR Rashid Shaheed, RB Velus Jones Jr. and T Charles Cross, with LB Uchenna Nwosu doubtful, while Arizona is missing G Jon Gaines II and DT Walter Nolen and has C Hjalte Froholdt questionable.
• Weather could matter at Lumen Field: the forecast calls for a 33% chance of light rain, 54 degrees and 10 mph winds. Slick conditions may make it harder for both passing games to find a rhythm.

Our take

The facts favor Seattle: the Seahawks have the better record, a much stingier defense, home field and a 31-7 win in the last meeting. Arizona's 3-2 road record and comeback win over Dallas show the Cardinals can compete, and Seattle's home loss to Chicago keeps this from feeling automatic. If Seattle's defense plays to its season standard, the Seahawks should control the game. If the Cardinals can force a shootout, they have a real path to pull even in the division.