Seahawks Face Cardinals Without Darnold, Risk of Upset
Seattle will start Drew Lock at quarterback due to Sam Darnold's injury. Arizona is coming off a win and has lost nine straight to Seattle. The Seahawks' offense may be limited without Darnold.
The Seahawks' nine-game winning streak over Arizona represents the longest active run by either team in this rivalry, with Seattle sweeping four consecutive season series. Drew Lock's relief appearance last week marked his first meaningful regular-season action for the team, and his efficiency kept Seattle competitive after Darnold exited. Arizona's season-opening road victory over the Chargers already matched a quarter of their entire win total from last year, signaling early improvement under their current coaching staff.
The Cardinals' defense forced two fumbles in last season's meeting, both returned for touchdowns by DeMarcus Lawrence, highlighting the turnover disparity that has defined recent matchups. Seattle's narrow three-point victory in the last Arizona visit suggests home-field advantage has narrowed the gap historically, even during the Seahawks' dominant stretch.
This game may carry outsized weight for both franchises' early-season trajectories. A Seattle loss with a backup quarterback could raise questions about roster depth and playoff viability, while an Arizona win would validate their rebuilding progress and energize a fan base accustomed to recent futility. Divisional results also influence tiebreakers late in the season, potentially affecting playoff seeding for multiple teams. Fans and fantasy players alike may adjust expectations based on Lock's performance, though one game's outcome remains a limited sample.