After a late push for the playoffs, Seattle’s hopes were ended last week when they lost to the 49ers. It was a tough ask for them to find a way into the postseason but Seahawks fans can take faith from the way the team battled down the stretch.
Likewise in Arizona–despite some of the worst quarterback play in the NFL–the Cardinals found themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt until late in the game at Cincinnati. Although they didn’t make the playoffs, the Cardinals looked a much better team late in the season than they had the rest of the year.
Despite the fact that this had been highlighted as a meaningless game by many due to it not having any playoff implications, both these teams go into this game desperate for a win to end their seasons on a high as they head towards 2012 an here are three areas to focus on.
Seattle’s Cornerbacks v Arizona’s Wide Receivers
I had Richard Sherman (+9.9) on my PFF Pro Bowl Ballot, he continues to impress every time I see him on the field. Look back at his last five games where he hasn’t allowed more than 47 receiving yards in a game and has given up no touchdowns while picking off three passes and breaking up nine more, an incredible performance by the rookie. Across from him, Brandon Browner (-3.2) hasn’t hit the lows of his Week 2, 10-catch, 194 yards and a touchdown performance in Pittsburgh but he has been up and down all season long. He is allowing an average of 15.4 yards per catch while giving up three touchdowns and recording six interceptions and 12 passes defensed.
I’ve said this before but I don’t think I’ve ever been more impressed with a wide receiver than I have with Larry Fitzgerald (+17.8) this season. Given the quarterbacks, Kevin Kolb (-7.1) and John Skelton (-24.9) he has had to throw the ball to him rank as our 28th- and 38th–rated at their position, it’s astonishing to see the numbers he has put up. Averaging 17.8 yards per catch, Fitzgerald has hauled in eight touchdowns this season while dropping just three passes. Opposite him, Andre Roberts (-10.8) has struggled to make much of an impact, averaging 12.0 yards per catch and having more drops (five) than touchdowns (two).
Seattle’s Offensive Line v Arizona’s Pass Rush
The Seahawks haven’t had much success from their right tackles this season. Rookie James Carpenter (-25.8) struggled heavily before his season was ended through injury and his replacement Breno Giacomini (-11.0) hasn’t fared much better since taking over. He has allowed three sacks, three hits and 14 pressures in his seven starts this season. Paul McQuistan (-4.7) is filling in for the injured Russell Okung (-8.7) on the left and in three starts at LT has allowed two sacks, two hits and six pressures.
This week they go up against an Arizona defense that gets the best of it’s pass rush from Calais Campbell (+36.3) and Darnell Dockett (+9.9) with the two combining for 12 sacks, 23 hits and 64 pressures. At outside linebacker Paris Lenon (-16.0) has failed to impress with a pass rush grade of -8.1.
Patrick Peterson
He may have largely failed to impress us on defense, with a grade of -9.2, but Patrick Peterson has electrified the NFL. Currently ranked as our fourth-highest graded returner, he has averaged 16.0 yards per punt return. Sure, he doesn’t return kicks but I think we can give him a pass when he has ran four punts back for touchdowns, including more than one game-winner. Provided he can indeed play this week, it’s obvious that if this game is close in the fourth quarter, Seattle would be wise to kick away from him.
Follow Gordon on Twitter @PFF_Gordon and be sure to follow our main Twitter feed : @ProFootbalFocus
© 2025 PFF - all rights reserved.