The Cardinals have a comfortable two-game lead in the NFC West thanks to San Francisco losing at home to Tennessee last week. Now Arizona has to improve its home record, which stands at 1-3. Losing to lowly Carolina just two weeks ago should motivate the Cardinals to be at their best; they know what happens when they don’t prepare or play well.
THE SKINNY
The Cardinals have a comfortable two-game lead in the NFC West thanks to San Francisco losing at home to Tennessee last week. Now Arizona has to improve its home record, which stands at 1-3. Losing to lowly Carolina just two weeks ago should motivate the Cardinals to be at their best; they know what happens when they don’t prepare or play well. As long as Arizona doesn’t turn the ball over multiple times, this should be a rout. Seattle is banged up and already playing out the string as we reach the season’s midway point.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. The Cardinals would love to duplicate last Sunday’s effort against the Chicago Bears. Jump on Seattle early with the passing game, then be able to run the ball to seal the win. Arizona threw 33 passes in Chicago and ran it 31 times. We haven’t seen that kind of balance around here in, well, forever.
2. Seattle defensive end Patrick Kerney is having an off-year by his standards — 16 tackles, four sacks — but his burst off the ball can still be a problem for left tackle Mike Gandy. The Cardinals have struggled this season when speed defensive ends have been able to collapse the pocket and make Kurt Warner move laterally. Arizona has to keep Kerney in check.
3. Marcos Trufant vs. Larry Fitzgerald. Trufant was injured when these teams met last month, but he’ll play today and likely shadow Fitzgerald around the field. Trufant will give up 4 inches of height to the 6-foot-3 Fitzgerald, but he has great cover skills.
Seahawks at Cardinals
When: 2:15 p.m. today
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium
TV/Radio: Channel 10/KTAR (620 AM)
Records: Arizona 5-3, Seattle 3-5
STARTING LINEUPS
Cardinals offense
WR Larry Fitzgerald
LT Mike Gandy
LG Reggie Wells
C Lyle Sendlein
RG Deuce Lutui
RT Levi Brown
TE Stephen Spach
WR Anquan Boldin
QB Kurt Warner
RB Tim Hightower
FB Dan Kreider
Cardinals defense
DE Calais Campbell
DT Bryan Robinson
DE Darnell Dockett
OLB Chike Okeafor
MLB Karlos Dansby
MLB Gerald Hayes
OLB Clark Haggans
RCB Bryant McFadden
LCB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
SS Adrian Wilson
FS Antrel Rolle
Seahawks offense
WR Nate Burleson
LT Brandon Frye
LG Mansfield Wrotto
C Chris Spencer
RG Max Unger
RT Ray Willis
TE John Carlson
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
QB Matt Hasselbeck
FB Justin Griffith
RB Julius Jones
Seahawks defense
LDE Cory Redding
LDT Brandon Mebane
RDT Colin Cole
RDE Patrick Kerney
OLB Will Herring
MLB Lofa Tatupu
OLB Aaron Curry
LCB Josh Wilson
RCB Ken Lucas
SS Deon Grant
FS Jordan Babineau
