When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m., CenturyLink Field
Records: Seahawks 0-2, Cardinals 1-1
TV: KCPQ/13, with Chris Meyers, Tim Ryan and Drea Avent
Radio: 710 ESPN and 97.3 FM, with Steve Raible, Warren Moon and Jen Mueller
Rest of the West: Baltimore at St. Louis and San Francisco at Cincinnati
Matchup microscope
Seahawks CB Brandon Browner vs. Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald: This isn’t all on Browner, of course, but the Seahawks did sign the 6-foot-4 corner with the idea of being able to matchup better against the bigger receivers in the league, and especially the division. The 6-3 Fitzgerald has given the Seahawks, well, fits in the past. He has had two games with double-digit catches and four with triple-digit yardage. He’s also got an off-the-charts catch radius and hands that clamp the ball like a vice grip. Browner plays a physical game – too physical, at times. So this is a big-on-big game within in the game that will go a long way to deciding just who wins.
One to watch
Seahawks TE Zach Miller vs. Cardinals SS Adrian Wilson: The Seahawks’ passing game needs a spark, the kind the Pro Bowl tight end who was signed in free agency can provide. If, that is, Miller doesn’t have to stay in to help in pass protection – as he has done while catching three passes in the first two games. Using Miller as a receiver also would help defuse Wilson’s big-play ability as a pass-rusher. He is, after all, one of only five safeties in NFL history with 20-plus sacks (22½) and at least 25 interceptions (26).
Fun to watch
Sidney Rice. When he finally was able to join the Seahawks for training camp practices, the free-agent wide receiver from the Minnesota Vikings turned in one jaw-dropping catch after another. Then he damaged a labrum, and the shoulder injury has sidelined him since the third preseason game. But Rice is back and ready to make his regular-season debut. How much he plays, and how well, remains to be seen. But just his presence will bring “juice,” as coach Pete Carroll puts it, to an offense that can use some.
One tough task
The rookie right side of the Seahawks offensive line vs. Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett: A familiar nemesis, Dockett will line up on guard John Moffitt on most snaps. But on any given snap, the 6-4, 290-pound Dockett will slide over quickly to force tackle James Carpenter to block him; or try to split the gap between them; or even loop over so he’s the responsibility of center Max Unger. Wherever he ends up, the three-time Pro Bowl selection is a handful – during the play and sometimes after it. Since 2007, Dockett has more sacks (29) than any D-tackle in the league.
Notable
Seahawks WR Mike Williams had a career-high 145 receiving yards in second game against the Cardinals last season and two TD catches in the first one. In the two games, he caught 22 passes for 232 yards. … Fitzgerald tied the Cardinals’ franchise records for career TD catches (66) and 100-yard receiving games (27) last week, marks held by Roy Green and Anquan Boldin. He also has caught more passes against the Seahawks (88) than any other team. … Since 2005, Wilson (19½) and FS Kerry (12) rank first and tied for second in sacks among all defensive backs in the league. … Seahawks DE Chris Clemons had three of his career-high 11 sacks against the Cardinals last season, as well as a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. … Cardinals RB Beanie Wells ran for three TDs against the Seahawks last season, but the Seahawks still swept the home-and-home series. … The Seahawks have not started 0-3 since 2002.
http://blog.seahawks.com/2011/09/24/seahawks-vs-cardinals-3/
