Seahawks Visit Cardinals After Week One Upset

Arizona could move into first place in the NFC West with a victory, while the Seahawks are seeking their first win over the Cardinals since 2021.
Trey McBride’s nine catches included a touchdown and produced 95 receiving yards, placing him second in the league in Week 1 receiving yardage behind Buffalo’s Dalton Kincaid.
Arizona’s defensive performance was especially notable because the Cardinals blitzed at the league’s second-lowest rate yet generated 17 pressures on 55 defensive snaps; Los Angeles managed only 2-for-8 on third down and 0-for-3 on fourth down.
The Chargers’ offensive struggles were compounded by the absences of starting offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, while Arizona held Los Angeles to 51 plays and 22:29 of possession.
Seattle defensive lineman Byron Murphy II identified Jeremiyah Love as Arizona’s No. 3 overall pick and described him as “a great back, a special kind of back,” underscoring the significance of the rookie’s matchup with the Seahawks’ defense.
The Seattle Seahawks head to Arizona for their first road test of 2026 after a Week 1 victory, facing a Cardinals team that shocked the NFL with a 26-14 upset of the Los Angeles Chargers. Arizona's dominant defensive effort—17 pressures on just 55 snaps and two takeaways—controlled the game from start to finish SI, while quarterback Jacoby Brissett managed the offense efficiently. The Cardinals' improved roster under new coach Mike LaFleur has Seattle players taking notice ahead of this NFC West showdown Field Gulls.
But the Seahawks face a significant challenge: key offensive players are unavailable. Starting quarterback Sam Darnold and safety Ty Okada have been ruled out for Week 2 Yahoo Sports, forcing Seattle to adjust their game plan against Arizona's stifling defense.
Tight end Trey McBride erupted in Week 1 with nine catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, second in the league only to Buffalo's Dalton Kincaid SI. His breakout performance signals Arizona's revamped passing attack under LaFleur's system. The Cardinals' ground game adds another dimension: rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall pick, combined with veteran Tyson Allgeier to rush for 116 yards against Los Angeles Field Gulls.KOIN
Arizona's defensive success came despite blitzing at the league's second-lowest rate—a sign of schematic superiority under new leadership. The Cardinals generated 17 pressures on 55 defensive snaps against Los Angeles SI, forcing the Chargers into abysmal third-down efficiency: 2-for-8 overall and 0-for-3 on fourth down. Seattle's defense must prepare for this pressure-oriented scheme.
Seattle defensive lineman Byron Murphy II has flagged rookie running back Jeremiyah Love as a critical threat, calling him "a great back, a special kind of back" Field Gulls. With starting offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt sidelined, the Chargers' offensive line crumbled against Arizona's front four KOIN. The Seahawks' defense will face a similar test in Week 2.
Arizona's upset victory gives the Cardinals an unexpected path to the NFC West lead with a win in Glendale Yahoo Sports. The Seahawks, meanwhile, seek their first win over Arizona since 2021—making this Week 2 clash far more significant than preseason expectations suggested Field Gulls. Both teams know the divisional implications are enormous this early in the season.
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