The Seahawks head to the desert this weekend to face the Arizona Cardinals, who are hoping a change at quarterback can jumpstart their offense and lead them to their first win the season. To learn more about the Seahawks' Week 4 opponent, we reached out to AZCardinals.com senior writer Darren Urban (you can find him on Twitter here) with five questions about the Cardinals:
Q: There's big news down there this week with Steve Wilks naming Josh Rosen the starting quarterback. What kind of impression has the rookie made so far, and what is reasonable to expect of the rookie in his first start?
A: Rosen has made a great first impression, dating all the way back to his first days of on-field work in the offseason. He took a bunch of first-team reps in the summer because the Cardinals were trying to limit Sam Bradford's work as he took care of his rebuilt knee. So he had an early chemistry with the first unit. That should help him now. He's confident, as was his reputation. His intelligence helped with digesting the playbook. He also figures to be more aggressive as a passer than Bradford. That might mean more turnovers, but it will also bring some oomph to an offense that needs some after three games.
Q: Record aside—it's early, after all—what has Wilks brought to the table in his first year as a head coach?
A: Wilks is a coach who connected with a lot of players early, and that was important for a new guy. He likes to get to know players on a personal level because he believes it helps him coach them. He too has a confidence you need on this level. Right now, he is going through that first serious adversity as a head coach. He seems to have handled it very well, at least outwardly. This is a big game. The Cardinals had three of their first four at home – salvaging one of those home games as a victory is important.
Q: The offensive numbers obviously aren't where the Cardinals would like them to be, what have been the contributing factors to those struggles?
A: As usual in cases like these, there are plenty of factors. Bradford never clicked once the regular season started, and that accuracy that was his biggest strength simply wasn't there enough. The offensive line has been inconsistent, especially in the running game, which was supposed to be what the unit was best at doing. Of course, that wasn't helped by an inexperienced receiving corps (other than Larry Fitzgerald), although rookie Christian Kirk is starting to look pretty good and he already has a good connection with fellow rookie Rosen. Finally, there was an expectation that David Johnson was going to produce like the 2016 David Johnson. Everyone counted on that. That has not happened. Not only has this team struggled to score, they have struggled just to convert third downs and hold possession. Hence, a QB change.
Q: How important is it to the offense to get David Johnson more involved than he has been through three games?
A: I'd say it's the most important thing, and it has been the most important thing. Again, a lot of things go into this. He hasn't been used as much in the passing game, which was a huge part of 2016. He hasn't gotten loose as a runner. And as he talked about the other day, he has made some mistakes in assignments like pass blocking. I don't know if those mental errors have cost him touches, but Wilks has talked repeatedly about being able to trust guys. Whatever it is, the Cards need Johnson to produce much more. He's certainly capable of it.
Q: The Seahawks offense struggled while giving up a lot of sacks, then improved drastically when protection was better last week. With that in mind, how have Chandler Jones and company looked so far this season?
A: Last week the defense started looking a lot more like Wilks and his staff expected. The Bears got yardage (and a game-winning field-goal drive in the fourth quarter) but the Cardinals forced a couple of turnovers, got some sacks, and for a second straight game, did decent against the run. There has definitely been a learning curve for the unit, but the blitzing increased, former first-round pick DT Robert Nkemdiche is finally making an impact, and the group hasn't lost any confidence. It will be an interesting test against Russell Wilson, especially with Doug Baldwin returning this week.
The Seahawks and Cardinals will meet for the 40th time in the regular season this Sunday in Seattle. Take a look back at photos from past games played between the two teams.
Phoenix Cardinals quarterback Gary Hogeboom can't find a receiver due to heavy defensive pressure from Seattle Seahawks (92) David Wyman and (72) Joe Nash during action in their pre-season game, Aug. 12, 1989 in Tempe, Arizona. The Seahawks proved too much for the Cardinals after the game went into overtime and lost 16-10. (AP Photo/Chad Surmick)
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), Sept. 13, 1998 in Seattle. The play went 23 yards but wasn't enough as Seattle won the game 33-14. (AP Photo/Jay Drowns)
Seattle Seahawks' Shawn Springs (24) intercepts a pass from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer in the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Seahawks' Reggie Williams, lower left, and Jeff George, far right, watch as Cardinals' Frank Sanders (81), Jason McAddley, top left, and Steve Bush, right rear, defend. It was the second interception of the half for Plummer. (AP Photo/Rob Schumacher)
Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Engram returns a punt for 48 yards with Arizona Cardinals' Quentin Harris chasing during the second quarter in Seattle Sunday Dec. 26, 2004. The return set up the first Seattle touchdown as it went on to win, 24-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander dives into the end zone from the one-yard line for a touchdown with Arizona Cardinals' Adrian Wilson defending during the third quarter, in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005. Alexander scored four touchdowns in the 37-12 win over the Cardinals. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Grant Wistrom (98) celebrates with Kelly Herndon (31) after tackling Arizona Cardinals runningback J.J. Arrington (28) for a 2-yard loss during the second half in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005. Seattle won 37-12. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks Marcus Trufant (23) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald (11) as teammate Jamie Sharper (55) looks on during the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Cardinals running back Marcel Shipp, right, brings down Trufant. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Arizona Cardinals' Adam Bergen (89) fumbles as Seattle Seahawks' Kelly Herndon tackles him in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006, in Seattle. The Seahawks recovered the ball on the play. The Seahawks won, 21-10. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) picks up a short gain against the Arizona Cardinals during their football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart, center, gets a pass off as he is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Patrick Kerney, left, and Darryl Tapp in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-20. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks' Patrick Kerney, second right, is congratulated by teammates Brian Russell, right, and Brandon Mebane after Kerney's sack of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (13) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 42-21. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Nate Burleson reacts after a 25 yard pass with Arizona Cardinals' Ralph Brown watching from the left during the fourth quarter of their football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007. The Seahawks won 42-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Brian Russell, top right, and Kelly Jennings, bottom right, tackle Arizona Cardinals' Early Doucet (80) in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Seahawks 34-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks in action against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Arizona Cardinals in action against the Seattle Seahawks, November 15, 2009.
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) leaves Arizona Cardinals' Greg Toler in the dust on a first-half run in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 22-10. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Kam Chancellor, left, celebrates his interception as Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) holds his head as he walks off the field late in the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 13-10. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs for a 33-yard touchdown past Arizona Cardinals strong safety Rashad Johnson (49) and inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) during the third quarterof 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 running back Marshawn Lynch (24) tries to avoid Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks Richard Sherman (25) comes up with the football as Seahawks' Earl Thomas (29) celebrates after Sherman intercepted an Arizona Cardinals pass in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell, left, runs the ball after making an interception as Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington, right, attempts a tackle in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Cooper Helfet dives for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) 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 free safety Earl Thomas (29) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' wide receiver Michael Floyd, right, as Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) looks on in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks fullback Will Tukuafu (46) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Kevin Minter (51) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) scrambles as Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark (55) pursues during the first half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks' Paul Richardson (10) carries the ball as Arizona Cardinals' Brandon Williams gives chase in the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) and Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Duane Brown battle during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Referee Walt Coleman tosses the coin before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Mike Davis (27) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
