Opportunities open in NFC for Seahawks, but old division rival Cardinals emerge
Oct 16, 2017, 2:32 PM
Adrian Peterson's arrival in Arizona helped revive the Cardinals on Sunday. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks had the day off on Sunday, but even during their bye there were some significant developments as it pertains to their season.
Green Bay lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers to injury, delivering a significant blow to the Packers’ playoff hopes out of the NFC, and reigning NFC champ Atlanta fell to 3-2 with a 20-17 loss to Miami. That all helps Seattle’s chances of getting a high enough seed to the postseason that they’ll get a bye in the first round, but back at home in the NFC West Division things have suddenly heated up.
Led by a big game from recent acquisition Adrian Peterson, the Arizona Cardinals’ offense exploded in a 38-33 win over Tampa Bay, moving to 3-3 on the year. That puts Arizona just a half-game in the division behind the Seahawks, who are a half-game behind the first place Rams after Los Angeles beat Jacksonville over the weekend.
John Clayton of 710 ESPN Seattle said Monday that the results of Week 6 pose an interesting question.
“Who right now are the best teams in the NFC?” Clayton asked. “Seattle, now if it can re-establish everything and continue the momentum built from the Rams game, should be fine. You have to say right now Philadelphia (5-1 this season) is playing well, but can the Eagles sustain it?”
Looking at the Seahawks’ division, Gee Scott expects things to get even more competitive as the season wears on.
“This NFC West is going to be a dogfight,” Scott said. “It’s going to be exciting. It’s not going to be as easy as we probably thought (for the Seahawks to win).”
One team in particular is worthy of fear for Seattle, according to Scott.
“I’m a little nervous about the Arizona Cardinals. I’m just really shocked at how Adrian Peterson came there, and even though it’s only one game, now Carson Palmer is looking like his old self, and then you have Larry Fitzgerald doing what he does.”
The Seahawks won’t be able to ease back into play by any stretch of the imagination. Not only do they match up this Sunday with a New York Giants team that shook off a multitude of injuries to upset the Denver Broncos 23-10, Seattle will follow up with games against Houston (3-3), Washington (3-2), Arizona (on the road) and Atlanta.
“It is not about to be a boring five weeks at all,” Scott said.
