Seahawks vs. Cardinals: Sunday’s NFC West Test

Seattle’s Quarterback Uncertainty Looms Over Cardinals Showdown

A pivotal NFC West matchup

Seattle and Arizona meet Sunday with valuable ground to gain in the NFC West. Divisional games can carry added weight as the playoff race develops, and this matchup may come down less to surprises than to execution, field position, and costly mistakes. The Seahawks enter at 4-4, chasing the 6-1 San Francisco 49ers, while the Cardinals have an opportunity to strengthen their own position with a head-to-head win.

Seattle adjusts its quarterback plans

Sam Darnold will miss Week 9 with a quadriceps injury and is considered week to week. Seattle does not plan to place him on injured reserve. Drew Lock is expected to start if his health permits, but a rib issue limited him to emergency-third-quarterback status against Chicago. The team is assessing his availability, making rookie Jalen Milroe a possible factor if Lock cannot play effectively. On an added note Drew Lock was reportedly unable to throw passes during this week’s Wednesday practice. 

Jalen Milroe, is reported being prepped and Jalen is being given reps with the Seahawks starting lineup. As an obsessive, neurotic 12thMan fan with over 50 years watching every move this team makes and having gotten a sense of MikMacD’s and how close to his best that he plays his hands, I would not be the least bit surprised to see Jalen Milroe take the starting QB position this Sunday when the Seahawks take the field verses the Cardinals.

Lock has produced strong results in earlier appearances this season, including a win over Arizona in Week 2. However, his health and consistency remain questions. Historically it’s extremely rare for a failed NFL QB experiment to succeed in turning around their lot in the NFL. 
Drew has had more opportunities than most to disprove his critics and to put together any reliable numbers to prove otherwise. After the Geno Smith experiment, I trust that John Schneider has learned from his mistakes and will not likely repeat them. 
John will not look to Drew Lock to be a long term QB solution. Rumors of QB replacements for Drew are already being reported. 

Seattle will need to judge either starting QB’s readiness carefully rather than rely on past performances alone. Protecting the ball and keeping the offense balanced could help whichever quarterback takes the field. A productive ground game would create manageable passing situations and help control tempo.

Keys for both defenses

Seattle’s defense must limit explosive plays, tackle reliably, and pressure the quarterback without losing coverage discipline. Making Arizona sustain longer drives could create chances for stops and give the Seahawks’ offense more opportunities.

The Cardinals can counter with quick throws, effective runs, and a pace that tests Seattle across the field. Their defense, meanwhile, will look to disrupt the Seahawks at the line of scrimmage while preventing receivers from turning short gains into big plays.

Prediction and division implications

Expect a competitive game shaped by quarterback availability and which team avoids turnovers. Seattle may have a slight edge if it runs effectively and limits Arizona’s easy gains, but the Cardinals can keep the contest close by protecting the ball and converting third downs. Prediction: Seahawks by a narrow margin. Either result would deliver a valuable divisional tiebreaker and could matter well beyond Sunday.