The 8-8 Seahawks head to Arizona looking to for a win over the Cardinals that could help them earn a playoff berth in Week 18. Here are six things to know about Seattle's opponent ahead of the 2023 regular season finale.
Kyler Murray: Leading The Way
In November, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray returned from an ACL injury that sidelined him until his Week 10 debut in the Cardinals' 25-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons. After some struggles early in his return, Murray has played well of late, and threw three touchdowns on Sunday to lead the Cardinals to a 35-31 road victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
In his last two games, Murray has completed 49 of 68 passes for five touchdowns, his first multi-score games of the season. The dual-threat Oklahoma University alum continues to use his legs to create yardage (5.4 YPC), while extending plays out of the pocket downfield. Seattle will look to slow down the two-time Pro Bowl selection in an effort to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Trey McBride: Sophomore Standout
Second-year Cardinals tight end Trey McBride was selected in Round 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft, catching 29 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown as a rookie. Through 16 games in his sophomore campaign, the Colorado State alum has tripled his production, catching 78 passes for 791 yards and two touchdowns heading into Week 18. McBride has been responsible for 40 first downs this season, as the Cardinals continue to incorporate him into the offensive gameplan. In Week 7, McBride caught three passes for 29 yards against the Seahawks in the Cardinals' 20-10 loss. Since that point, McBride has caught fewer than five passes just once. In his last five games, McBride has caught 37 passes on 44 targets for 326 yards and one score. Slowing down Arizona's offensive attack is key for Seattle's success in Week 18, and keeping the ball out of McBride's hand is one step towards a Seattle victory.
Point Differential: Arizona is Scoring More; While Giving up Plenty
The Arizona Cardinals currently rank No. 24 in points per game (19.4), as the offense continues to adjust to the return of quarterback Kyler Murray. But, in their last three games, the Cardinals rank No. 9 league-wide in scoring, averaging 26.7 points per contest.
On the defensive end, however, Arizona's struggles have played a part in their 4-12 record, with Arizona ranking No. 31 in points allowed (27.1 ppg). Over their last three games, the Cardinals tied with the Los Angeles Chargers (34.3 ppg) for the most points allowed per contest across the league.
DJ Humphries: Out (ACL)
In Arizona's Week 17 35-31 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, tackle DJ Humphries injured his knee. On Wednesday, Cardinals Coach Jonathan Gannon announced that the Florida alum tore his acl in the contest, forcing Arizona to place their 2015 first round selection on the IR.
"It's a blow for anybody," said Gannon. "For us as a team, he's a captain, one of our premier players. It's a part of the sport that is really hard. You guys know how I feel about the players and what they put into this, the sacrifices they make. Him being who he is, it's tough to swallow."
Humphries has dealt with knee issues before, suffering an MCL tear in 2017 that restricted him to five games. With Arizona being forced to play without a premiere blocker on the offensive line, Seattle will look to pressure Kyler Murray to affect the outcome of the contest.
Jalen Thompson: Mr. Ballhawk
Fifth-year Washington State alum Jalen Thompson was selected by the Cardinals in the 2019 Supplemental Draft. The Compton, California native and safety has become a valuable asset to Arizona's defense, recording consecutive 100-plus tackle seasons in 2021 and 2022. But in 2023, Thompson has become a shutdown defender against the pass, recording a career-high four interceptions through 14 games played, along with eight passes defensed. Three of those interceptions have come in Thompson's last six games, including an interception and three passes defensed against the Chicago Bears in Week 16. Despite Arizona's defensive struggles, Thompson has proven that he can change the course of a game and get the ball back in the offense's hands.
Michael Wilson: Year-1 Riser
In December, the Cardinals lost wideout Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the IR, after dealing with a nagging heel injury that had hobbled him for several weeks. In his absence, 2023 third-round selection Michael Wilson has emerged as Arizona's primary wideout, catching 32 passes for 470 yards and three touchdowns. The Stanford alum caught four passes for 35 yards and a touchdown on Sunday to help the Cardinals steal a 35-31 road win over the Philadelphia Eagles. It was Wilson's first score since scoring twice against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4's 35-16 loss. The Cardinals continue to look the 23-year old's way as he adjusts to the pro game, with five contests of five-plus targets. Seattle will look to keep Wilson out of the endzone and prevent his first 100-yard game, as quarterback Kyler Murray continues to grow chemistry with the Simi Valley, California native.
The Seahawks and Cardinals face off on Sunday, Jan 7, 2024. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Cardinals.
Running back Ron Moore (30) of the Phoenix Cardinals is held to a one yard gain as he is tackled by Cortez Kennedy (96) of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Washington, Dec. 19, 1993. Watching the play is Joe Wolf (68) of the Cardinals. Phoenix beat Seattle in overtime, 30-27. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Arizona Cardinals Chris Gedney (84) takes in a pass while in the grasp of Seattle Seahawks Fred Thomas (22) and goes for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Sept. 13, 1998 in Seattle. The play went 23 yards but wasnt enough as Seattle won the game 33-14. (AP Photo/Jay Drowns)
Seattle Seahawks' Itula Mili catches a 1-yard pass in the endzone from quarterback Trent Dilfer while Arizona Cardinals' Kwamie Lassiter stands in the background during the second quarter in Seattle Sunday Sept. 15, 2002. AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Arizona Cardinals Defensive End Kyle Vanden Bosch (93) runs during a week 10 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Phoenix, Arizona on November 10, 2002. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 27-6. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Seattle Seahawks' Chike Okeafor (56) strips the ball away from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, right, outruns Arizona Cardinals' Duane Starks on a 23-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Seattle. Alexander rushed 30 times for 154 yards with three touchdowns, leading Seattle to a 24-21 win. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin, left, and Kelly Herdon, background right, break up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
FILE Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner loses control of the ball but regains control as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Darryl Tapp during the fourth quarter of a football game in Seattle, in this Sept. 17, 2006 file photo. One week after Warner was named NFC offensive player of the week in Arizona's season-opening victory over San Francisco, he was blamed, in part, by his coach for the offense's struggles in Sunday's 21-10 loss at Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson, left, hurries Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) during the second quarter of their football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals' Calvin Pace, rear right, Darnell Dockett, left, and Antonio Smith, center, pursue Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant returns an intercepted pass for an 84-yard touchdown from Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner with Ralph Brown diving after him during the fourth quarter of their football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007. The Seahawks won 42-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 16: Running back Maurice Morris #20 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday November 16, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Cardinals won the game 26-20. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) T.J. Duckett
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace (15) throws as Arizona Cardinals' Bertrand Berry (92) pursues during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
From left, Seattle Seahawks? Colin Cole, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin (81), Seahawks' Aaron Curry (59) and Cardinals' Mike Gandy in action during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Justin Forsett (20) breaks free from Arizona Cardinals linebacker Clark Haggans (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks Marcus Trufant, left, and Walter Thurmond, right, tackle Arizona Cardinals Tim Hightower, center, causing a fumble, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams (17) gains yards as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Greg Toler defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks David Hawthorne tackles Arizona Cardinals Todd Heap in the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, tops makes a touchdown reception over Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marshay Gren, bottom, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) escapes a sack by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Reggie Walker during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012,in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) returns an interception from Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) and Rashad Johnson (26) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks' Russell Okung (76) defends against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Richard Sherman, left, runs coverage on Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) breaks the tackle of Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws as Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Rodney Gunter (95) pursues during the first half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks' Doug Baldwin (89) runs with the ball as Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson gives chase in the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals, 22-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seahawks celebrate in the end zone.
Kenneth Walker III crashes into the end zone with a touchdown to cap Seattle's final scoring drive.
