Playoff teams almost set, but matchups still unsettled

The Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals will face off on Sunday in one of I’ve late afternoon kick offs in Week 17 of the National Football League 2015 regular season. That broke Dave Krieg’s franchise record of 32, set in 1984.

Not only did Wilson break Matt Hasselbeck’s single-season record for passing yards from 2007 before halftime.

In that first contest against the Cardinals, the Seahawks were beat thanks to the Cardinals ability to maintain possession. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians isn’t about to let up, seeing this as another opportunity for his well-balanced team to assert its authority in the NFC.

Glowinski went on to record NFL Combine numbers of 113 inches in the broad jump and 31 reps in the bench press, which put him in a three-way tie for first and fourth among offensive linemen, respectively. Palmer finished the game 12 of 25 for a season-low 129 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.

Most touchdown passes in a season (34) in Seahawks history.

But perhaps the biggest surprise has been Chris Johnson, who appeared washed up and on the verge of being out of the NFL. Carroll said it was at the team’s morning walkthrough on Wednesday when it became apparent something was off with Sweezy. Floyd has topped 100 yards receiving in five of his last seven games and is averaging a team-best 16.3 yards per catch. The Seahawks are expected to have running back Marshawn Lynch back for the playoffs. The following week, Johnson played well again against another good rushing defense, as he totaled 92 rushing yards on 19 carries against the Minnesota Vikings. The first game, Carson Palmer and the offense weren’t ready yet (and the Seahawks defense was at its peak in 2013).

While the Panthers got on track, the Cardinals’ high-powered offense that set a franchise record for points scored was derailed by the Seahawks.

Riding their longest winning streak since 1948, the Arizona Cardinals are still in contention for the No. 1 seed in the NFC as they prepare for a rematch with the visiting Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

“When momentum is on your side, you don’t want to lose it, no doubt”, Palmer said.

Playing on the same field where they lost a Super Bowl heartbreaker last February, the Seahawks (10-6) dominated from their opening possession and led 30-6 at the half. The Cardinals’ starters may play for a full 60 minutes, or they may not.

Oh, and one more statistic to ponder: Arizona has more touchdowns this season (57) than punts (55). Sure, there’s a chance things will change as the game goes along, if the Panthers start to pull away (although Arians said that won’t be a factor) or if the game itself gets sideways. “All the stats that are out there right now, that’s the one that I’m probably the most proud of”. Leading the Seattle defensive attack included the likes of K.J. Wright (six total, five solo tackles) and three players (Richard Sherman, Kelcie McCray, and Brock Coyle) with three total stops each.