Double Coverage: Seahawks vs. Cardinals in the regular-season finale

A closer look at Seattle’s Week-17 game against Arizona with the help of Adam Green, who covers the Cardinals for ArizonaSports.com:

Henderson: Bruce Arians has said that he doesn’t plan to sit any starters, which is understandable with the No. 1 seed in the NFC still in a possibility for Arizona. Do you think there’s any posturing going on and how much might Arizona be tempted to do so given Carson Palmer’s injury history and how devastating it would be to lose him?

Green: That is easily the most interesting and intriguing question leading into this game. According to everything Arians has said, and his players have supported the decision, Palmer and the starters would play this entire game whether the No. 1 seed was on the line or not. There has been talk about maintaining momentum and not messing with the rhythm the team has created over these last couple months, and to some degree that makes plenty of sense. However, if the Panthers are crushing the Bucs by the third or fourth quarter it would not be a shock to me at least if No. 3 heads to the bench. Then again, if the Cardinals are in a close game and have a chance to beat the Seahawks at home and sweep the season series, you never really know. No risk it, no biscuit, after all.

Henderson: How much, if at all, do Arizona’s players feel like they have some unfinished business with the Seahawks given how Seattle has been the class of the division — and the conference — the last two seasons?

Green: You hit the nail right on the head there with that question. Though the Cardinals have been the class of the NFC West this season, the Cardinals see the Seahawks as the class of the NFC, period. Winning at the Clink in Week 10 improved Arizona’s confidence, yes, but as cornerback Jerraud Powers told me, the Seahawks have what the Cardinals want and until they take it from them, they haven’t earned anything yet.

Henderson: Red Bryant was a fan favorite here in Seattle. What led to the Cardinals signing him and what impact has he had?

Green: The Cardinals signed Bryant after linebacker LaMarr Woodley went to IR around Thanksgiving, and he’s been a solid addition. Nothing spectacular, but solid. He played 23 defensive snaps in the win over Green Bay and does not figure to have a huge role with the team, but they like his postseason experience and his size could certainly prove useful against the run in the playoffs.

Henderson: How much has Arizona’s defense been impacted by Tyrann Mathieu’s season-ending knee injury?

Green: It’s only been one game without Mathieu and it was against an offense featuring little in the way of receivers or offensive line play, but so far, the Cards appear to be OK. Obviously losing a Pro Bowler who was in the conversation (not the favorite, but in the conversation) for the Defensive Player of the Year Award hurts, but if there is one silver lining it is that the Cardinals have great depth in the secondary. Powers was able to move inside to the nickel/slot corner, Justin Bethel, who was recently re-signed to a three-year contract extension, moves to corner, and then you still have Patrick Peterson, Tony Jefferson and Rashad Johnson. D.J. Swearinger is a familiar name to NFL fans who has played the last couple weeks and made some plays, too. Are the Cardinals worse without Mathieu? Absolutely. The Honey Badger is versatile enough to fill about three roles (corner, safety, linebacker) on his own, and now the Cardinals will need three guys to do that, and it looks like they have the pieces to do it.

Henderson: Andre Ellington was Arizona’s running back when the teams last met. What type of runner is David Johnson and how much has Arizona leaned on him of late?

Green: What many people seem to forget (or maybe never knew) was that the Cardinals only signed Chris Johnson in the middle of training camp because Ellington and David Johnson were dealing with nagging hamstring injuries. Had they been healthy, CJ2K may not have been a Cardinal, and it’s possible the rookie would have done this sooner. His combination of size and speed is rare, and he’s proven to be a fast learner at blitz pickup, too. Johnson’s emergence has not only stabilized Arizona’s running game, but given it an entirely new dimension. A threat as a runner and a receiver, he has 93 touches for 599 yards and five touchdowns over the last four games, all of which he started, and while the Cardinals may like to decrease his touches just a bit with Ellington back on the field, no doubt he is their bell cow and someone who they are hoping to ride for the rest of the season.

Henderson: And what’s your prediction?

Green: This is probably the toughest game for me to predict. In fact, I was far more confident in the Cardinals winning in Seattle than I am that they will win now. Not that I don’t think Arizona is the better team, because I still believe that, but with so much (or little) on the line for them, it’s tough to really know what team will show up. That said, assuming Arians isn’t lying and the starters play their normal snaps, I’ll say the Cardinals win the game 27-17. What do you think the final score going to be?

Henderson: Predicting NFL games in general is tough. Predicting games between Seattle and Arizona is particularly tough. This one is no different, especially with Seattle’s injury-related uncertainties. In addition to Kam Chancellor, Seattle could be without two starting offensive linemen as left tackle Russell Okung and right guard J.R. Sweezy are both question marks. So is Michael Bennett, who’s Seattle’s best defensive lineman. If Seattle is short-handed and if Arians follows through with his stated intention to play Arizona’s starters, then the Cardinals have the edge. Arizona 27, Seattle 23.

Related

Salk: Some players linked to Mariners are exciting, others aren’tUSWNT, Seattle Reign legend Megan Rapinoe elected to National Soccer Hall of FameSeahawks sign former Bengals guard to practice squadMorosi: What Mariners are looking to add to bullpenBroncos back out of trade for ex-WSU standoutStacy: Where is this year’s breakout Seahawks player?