The last time Drew Lock took the field for the Seahawks, he enjoyed a masterful performance, completing 73.1 percent of his pass attempts for 235 yards, three touchdowns, no turnovers and a 139.1 passer rating, helping the Seahawks beat the Cardinals handily in Week 2.
Now, seven weeks later, Lock will be back in the starting lineup, filling in for an injured Sam Darnold, and he will once again be facing the Cardinals. For Lock, whose opportunities are limited in his role as Seattle's backup quarterback, and who has been limited by an elbow injury in practice in recent weeks, Sunday is a big opportunity, and one he won't take for granted.
"I'm really excited, especially after a couple weeks of not throwing too much," Lock said before Thursday practice. "Being able to get out in the huddle with the guys and throw the football and spin it around. Any chance you get to go out there and do that, it's an exciting time."
As for that elbow injury, which caused Lock to be inactive in each of the past two games as the team's emergency third quarterback, Lock said it won't be an issue this week as he gets ready to start.
"It's doing a lot better," Lock said. "It's doing good. I'm excited to be back out there. It felt great to get under center and rip some balls yesterday, so it feels good."
While Lock was listed as limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, he said he isn't holding back.
"I'm going at it like a normal week," Lock said. "If the training staff want to pull it back a bit, but then we'll let them back that decision, but I'm expecting to go take every rep."
Lock, who helped lead the Seahawks to a Week 1 win over the Patriots after taking over when Darnold suffered an injury on Seattle's opening drive, has thrown four touchdown passes with no turnovers in two victories this season, posting a 127.3 passer rating, which briefly was tops in the league when he had enough pass attempts to qualify. Lock has also started 29 games in his career, meaning his experience and recent success—not to mention his considerable arm talent—give both him and his teammates a lot of confidence heading into this game.
"The other 10 guys that I play with give me great confidence to go out there and toss the ball around and know that they are going to do their job to the best of their ability," Lock said. "Their ability is pretty good for the guys on our team and same with the defensive side of the ball and special teams. This is a well-rounded football team. If we go out and all do our job and do our responsibilities with all three teams, we're hard to beat and we've got to just go to do that."
Said guard Grey Zabel: "We have the utmost confidence in whoever's back there. Drew being the guy that he is, the competitor, the athlete, the gunslinger—love everything about the swagger and the moxie that he has. It's not going to change anything in our offense. He's a guy that's going to fill in and excel in his role and be the best quarterback, teammate and person he can be."
Right tackle Abraham Lucas expressed similar sentiments about Lock, saying, "Drew's (Lock) always been a good quarterback. Regardless of who (we have at quarterback) or who we are blocking for, we have the upmost confidence in them. I know Sam will attack his rehab, and Drew will step in and be the best version of himself for us, so I have all the confidence in him."
It also helps that the Seahawks are getting ready for Lock to start against an opponent he has already faced this season. No to quarterbacks are the same, nor do they have the same
"There's obviously a little bit of an adjustment, but I'm comfortable with what Drew likes and what he's comfortable executing, particularly against this defense," offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said. "Luckily this is something we've been through before. It was easy to put the plan together once we got the news he was going to be the starter.
"It gives the entire coaching staff and everybody out there a lot of confidence. We know that he's done it at a high level against this particular opponent, and he can handle everything they're going to throw at us, so we feel great going into this game."
For Lock, another opportunity to take the field as a starter is something he will always appreciate having experienced plenty of ups and downs in his eight-year career, which started in Denver when he arrived as a second-round pick in 2019, and has also included two stints in Seattle and a season with the Giants.
"Eight years now, I was a starter going into a season; I lost it the next year," Lock said. "No matter what the situation is, I look at it as a big thing. It's an awesome thing. Maybe being a big deal isn't the right word, but more of an excitement, gratitude, and thankfulness towards this that I'm sitting here today and I get to go be the quarterback this weekend for the Seattle Seahawks eight years in with two kids and a wife. It's something that 10 years ago, that I'd be a starting quarterback with two kids and wife, it's pretty amazing and I'm blessed to say the least."
The Seahawks and Cardinals get set to face off for their second matchup of the season on Sunday, November 8. 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)
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)
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)
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.
Seahawks receiver Jake Bobo goes high in the air to make make the catch, then managed to keep his feet inbounds for a second quarter touchdown.
Seattle's Kenneth Walker III sheds Arizona safety Budda Baker on a long gain in the first half.
Devon Witherspoon after one of his three tackels for loss against the Cardinals.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett tracks the football as he croses into the end zone for a touchdown from quarterback Geno Smith late in the game.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant leaps into the end zone at the end of a pick-six with an homage to former running back Marshawn Lynch, who once struck the same pose as he scored against Arizona.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finds ample running room up the left side for a 46-yard gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams acknowledges 12s in the stands in Arizona as the team takes the field.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet stiff arms Arizona's Budda Baker.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV returns an interception in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba catches a long pass from Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas sacks Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers successfully kicks the game-winning field goal as time ran out.
