Seattle beat the odds and clinched a playoff position with their 38-31 victory over Kansas City last week. That doesn’t mean there is nothing to play for in Week 17, however.
With a win, the Seahawks are slated to play next week in Dallas. That is a more desirable matchup than facing either the Bears or Rams on the road, which could happen if the Seahawks let the Cardinals steal a victory.
Pete Carroll will want to rest some starters with the wild card game looming. With the Eagles and Vikings playing in late games, he won’t know whether the Eagles snuck into the mix or if the Vikings beat the bears until it is too late.
Fortunately, Seattle has enough depth in its running game to go to a full-blown committee or flat-out rest Chris Carson. In front of the Seattle home crowd for their season finale, Carroll shouldn’t expect the Cardinals to put up as much of a fight as they did in Arizona earlier this year.
Arizona has nothing to play for but pride… and the top overall draft pick in 2019. As things stand now, they own the pick. But a victory could let the 49ers, Jets, or Raiders grab it. Of course, no player will tell you they play to lose. But it has been hard to tell in Arizona this season.
Injuries and notes:
Rashad Penny is expected to be available for Week 17 for Seattle.
Cardinals’ defensive end Markus Golden is questionable.
Coaching matchup
You don’t often see teams changing coaches after one season, but there are rumblings in Arizona that Steve Wilks’ job might be in jeopardy. It is serious enough that wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald went public to say that the players believe in Wilks and want him back next season.
Wilks’ should get a second opportunity, but the team might want to help him find a new offensive coordinator. Developing Josh Rosen is the top priority, which could give interim coordinator Byron Leftwich a leg up on any new candidates.
Pete Carroll has no such worries. After starting the season with a massive turnover on defense and a new offensive line, Carroll’s job has him in the running for Coach of the Year. Seattle ownership saw fit to reward him with a contract extension even before the season finale.
How to watch the Seahawks-Cardinals game
CBS Sports will broadcast this matchup, which means Seahawks and Cardinals fans can watch it on their favorite internet device for free thanks to DirecTV Now.
DirecTV Now, like Sling, Fubo TV, and other internet TV providers, has a no-obligation initial week as part of its standard service. That means you can watch this game and then explore the dozens of other channels and entertainment options offered by DirecTV Now, Sling, and Fubo TV before you pay a dime.
Internet TV from DirecTV Now, Sling, or Fubo TV does not require any expensive equipment or extra wiring. Your current internet connection is enough to bring your favorite TV shows, movies, and sports directly to your widescreen TV or your favorite handheld device.
Best of all, you get all that for just a fraction of the cost of cable and satellite. You pay for internet TV monthly as you go and you can cancel anytime without a penalty.
There is a reason so many NFL fans did away with their cable and satellite TV providers to sign up with DirecTV Now, Sling, and Fubo TV. Check out their websites to learn more today.
Who will win the Seahawks-Cardinals game?
Pete Carroll would like to rest some players, but he also believes in momentum and habits. That means a battered and weary Cardinals team has to put their best game forward. Unfortunately, they did that once before and fell short.