Seahawks vs Cardinals: NFC West Rivalry on Thursday Night Football

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Thursday, September 26, 2025, 8:15 PM ET

State Farm Stadium in Glendale will host a surprising NFC West showdown when the Seattle Seahawks (2-1) visit the Arizona Cardinals (2-1) on Thursday Night Football. Both teams have exceeded expectations early in the season but arrive from contrasting situations following Week 3.

Momentum Advantage for Seahawks

Seattle arrives after a dominant performance against the New Orleans Saints, winning 44-13 and posting the second-highest scoring output of their Week 3 in team history. Their offense under Sam Darnold averages 29.3 points per game, fifth-best in the NFL.

Darnold's transformation continues with a 70.3% completion rate and 104.7 rating. His 663 yards averaging 9.0 per attempt suggests efficient deep ball accuracy that the Cardinals secondary will need to neutralize.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has established himself as the primary receiving threat with 323 yards (second in NFL) and 22 catches on 29 targets. His chemistry with Darnold presents a constant threat through the middle of the field.

Cardinals Face Adversity

Arizona enters Thursday following their first loss of the season, 16-15 to the San Francisco 49ers. The bigger concern is losing James Conner for the rest of the season due to a foot injury requiring surgery.

Trey Benson must assume an expanded role after averaging 6.0 yards per carry, second-best in the NFL. His ability to maintain ground game effectiveness will be crucial for Cardinals offensive balance.

Kyler Murray's statistics of 180.7 passing yards per game and 6.1 average per attempt reflect a conservative approach but also potential limitations in the Cardinals passing attack. Seven sacks received in three games suggest problems with offensive line protection.

Defensive Transformation

The Cardinals defensive transformation from 31st in 2023 to current fifth in points allowed (17.0 per game) represents significant improvement. Their TOP 5 performance in third down and red zone defense will be tested against an efficient Seahawks offense.

The Seahawks defense has allowed only 15.7 points per game (second in NFL) and hasn't permitted a rushing touchdown. This dominance against the run could force the Cardinals into one-dimensional passing attack.

Historical Context

Seattle holds a seven-game winning streak against the Cardinals, including five double-digit victories. This psychological advantage combined with current momentum creates a solid foundation for continued success.

The Cardinals home field advantage in Thursday Night Football's short preparation could help, but their 10-4 record against the spread over the last 14 games suggests competitive spirit.

Key Absences

The loss of Devon Witherspoon weakens the Seahawks secondary, but the Cardinals missing James Conner presents a bigger tactical challenge. Paris Johnson Jr. and Will Hernandez uncertainty on the Cardinals offensive line could exacerbate Murray's protection issues.

Strategic Factors

The Seahawks should utilize early down effectiveness to create manageable third downs. The Cardinals need to establish a ground game with Benson and use Murray's mobility to neutralize Seattle's pass rush.

The turnover battle will likely be decisive in a low-scoring affair. Both teams have shown discipline with ball security, but Thursday Night Football pressure could create unexpected mistakes.

Expectations and Trends

Seattle as a 1.5-point underdog represents value play given their superior offensive efficiency and defensive consistency. The Over/Under of 43.5 points reflects expectations of a defensive battle.

Darnold's projected 223.5 passing yards may be a conservative estimate against the Cardinals' 30th-ranked pass defense. His ATS record of 17-9-1 since 2022 suggests consistent performance against expectations.

Photo:Syracuse.com

More information:24live.com


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