Saturday, October 23, 2010

SEAHAWKS: Cardinals vs. Seahawks important matchups


This week, the Seahawks take on the two time defending division champions Arizona Cardinals. Most odds makers are putting the game in the Seahawks favor, but here are the most important matchups for the Seahawks to win.


Walter Thurmond vs. Larry Fitzgerald Due to an injury to Kelly Jennings, Walter Thurmond will get the start at corner opposite Marcus Trufant. At this point, it looks like Walter will be covering perhaps the best player in the NFC, Larry Fitzgerald. At 6-foot-3, 218-pounds, Fitzgerald is an obvious matchup problem for the 6 foot, 183 pound Thurmond. Fitzgerald has been a nightmare for Seahawks corners for the past couple of years, and unless the Seahawks can get pressure on Cardinals QB Max Hall, it could be a long day for the Hawks secondary.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie vs. Matt Hasselbeck This is the one matchup people will look over. Rodgers-Cromartie (let’s call him RC) is more like a receiver that is playing corner. He is one of the fastest players in the NFL and has amazing ball skills. RC will be covering one of Matt Hasselbeck’s favorite targets, Mike Williams. So if any of Matt’s throws are a little off, expect RC to fully take advantage of it.

Darnell Docket vs. Russell Okung Just as he did in Chicago vs. Julius Peppers, Russell Okung will have his hands full on Sunday. Darnell Docket is one of the most tenacious players on the NFL, and has abused offensive lineman over recent years. He is the Cardinals primary source of pass rush, and he can also contribute in the run game. If Okung can keep Docket at bay, that basically takes away any hope of the Cardinals getting any consistent pressure on Hasselbeck.

Max Hall vs. The 12th man People got excited about Max Hall when he led the Cardinals as they pulled off an upset win vs. the New Orleans Saints in week five. But this week, instead of playing in his home stadium where the crowd get quiet when he’s taking snaps, he will be going into the place where noise is defined, Quest Field. Don’t tell me that an undrafted quarterback is going to have an easy time calling the play at the line of scrimmage while 67,000 fans scream their brains out in hope of calling a false start. Good luck Max Hall, you’ll need it.

Reach Nathan Parsons at nathanparsons98@yahoo.com