|
The NFC West has a three way tie for first
place heading into week two with this clash looking to make that a two way
tie at most.
Whilst the Cardinals are making strides forward it is difficult to make a
case for them in this game. They won their first regular season game in
their new stadium but only just. Any team that gives up 27 points to San
Francisco at home (a team who will be 8-8 at best) should know there is
still work to do.
Offensively they are still explosive with Boldin & Fitzgerald now being
complimented by Edgerrin James. Anyone who thought Kurt Warner was past his
best was proved wrong after his player of the week performance of 23 of 31
for 301 yards & 3TDs against the 49ers.
The biggest factor going into this game will be the dented pride of the
Seahawks offensive line. Coach Holmgren gave them the third degree in
training this week & the chance of that unit performing as poorly as it did
last week is practically nil. The removal of Walter Jones from this weeks
injury report should go a long way towards rectifying that problem. If that
unit clicks then the team should win.
The opportunity to catch newly signed Deion
Branch in action is too good to miss. One of the aspects of last weeks game
was how most Seahawk receivers seemed to be covered well, perhaps Branch
will remind them how to get seperation.
Oh, and even if the Offense does struggle again then the combination of the
Defense & the Home Crowd should be more than enough to keep the Hawks in the
game. Despite all the offensive weapons the Cardinals have I just can’t see
the Seahawks offense playing as poorly as it did last week.
Even if the game is close I would still give the Hawks the edge on the
evidence of last weeks grind it out victory.
Prediction
Expect the offense to get back on track with a vengeance with Hawks winning
by 10 points.
As ever, the game will be followed live in our
exclusive
Seahawkers UK chat room (no jeans or trainers please) where the
properly attired are more than welcome.
Whilst there we like to listen to the radio
coverage from the States
www.thegamelive.com in the past the top link has been reliable.
There is also now a live streaming option for
UK based fans with broadband via
http://sports.yahoo.com/nflgamepass
Matt Cheesman 15/9/2006
|