The Seahawks (6-2) host the Cardinals (3-5) on Sunday, looking to add to an eight-game winning streak against Arizona, including an overtime win in the desert earlier this season. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are trying to build off a Monday night win over the Cowboys that snapped a five-game losing streak.
"They've done some moving and shaking over their bye, which all good teams do, consistently evaluate and evolve, and they've done that," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "And I think you've seen the effect of that on how effective they've been. Even before the bye, I thought they were moving the ball well. They're putting up points, they're playing efficiently, they're taking care of the ball, they're doing a lot of really good things, that's what they're doing."
Here are four things to watch when the Seahawks face the Cardinals on Sunday:
1. How do the Seahawks use Rashid Shaheed in his first game with his new team?
The Seahawks already had one of the most explosive passing games in the NFL prior to the trade deadline, and they got even more dangerous on Tuesday with a trade to acquire former Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed, a speedy receiver and All-Pro returner who gives Seattle another big-play threat.
Shaheed's adjustment to his new team will be made easier by the fact that current offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak had that same role in New Orleans last year, but even with that familiarity with the scheme, it remains to be seen how exactly the Seahawks plan to work Shaheed into an already dynamic receiving group. It will likely take some time for Shaheed's role to fully take shape, but he will get chances to show off his playmaking ability starting this weekend.
"We're adding a really good player," Kubiak said. "It's up to us to get him up to speed pretty quickly here. But I also can't say enough about the guys that we have, and we just have to keep getting everybody better all together.
"Rashid's a hard worker, he's a really good kid, football is important to him, and he's a really good teammate. When you're bringing somebody on, you want to make sure they gel with what coach is building around here. Coach Macdonald and I know that he does… He's going to learn a lot. It's not easy, but he's a pro. I think this is his fourth year and we're going to expect him to know a lot really fast."
2. How much different is the Cardinals offense from the one the Seahawks saw in Week 4?
The Seahawks defense, which has been playing great all season, held the Cardinals to a season-low 253 yards in the previous meeting, a strong outing that would have been nearly flawless had they not allowed two late scoring drives that sent the game to overtime. But if they're going to keep Arizona's offense in check again this time around, the Seahawks will have to make it happen against a different quarterback, with Jacoby Brissett taking over for an injured Kyler Murray.
In three starts, Brissett has thrown for 860 yards six touchdown passes with one interception, lowering his career interception rate to 1.3 percent, the lowest in league history. Given the stylistic differences between Brissett and Murray, most notably Murray's scrambling ability, the Seahawks know they'll be facing a different challenge than they did in Arizona.
"They've changed a little bit," Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde said. "They've definitely changed a little bit after the bye week. I feel like this team plays good football, good sound football. They got themselves in that position last week, and they got the win. They're in it every week. You have to look at this team as they play sound football, they play hard, and they play the right way. There are a few things that are different, but ultimately, they still have the same identity."
3. Can the Seahawks pass protection continue to hold up against the one defense to record three sacks against them this year?
One of the big reasons for Seattle's offensive success this season has been the pass protection that has given Sam Darnold time to operate. Through eight games, Darnold has been sacked only nine times, tied for the fewest in the league, and the Seahawks have had three games, including last weekend's win in Washington, in which they did not allow a sack.
"Our offensive line, they deserve some love," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "They're playing really hard. I loved how they operated and practiced last week. They did a great job, and the pass protection is a product of that. The thing I would say is that if you're going to say pass rush is an 11-man job and how you affect the quarterback, pass protection is the same thing. The timing of plays, how we identify pressures, the protection, how we execute protections, how we get the spots on the field, and Sam (Darnold) getting through his progressions, there's a lot of trust involved. There's a lot of work involved to make sure that timing comes to life. They're doing a great job, protecting Sam. I think we're staying square. We're being firm in the pocket, which is letting Sam do his thing back there. They definitely deserve some love."
Seattle's line will be facing a tough test this weekend, however, going against a Cardinals pass rush that produced five sacks in Monday's win over the Cowboys. The Cardinals are also the only team to record three or more sacks against Seattle, and they've gotten deeper up front since the previous meeting, with first-round pick Walter Nolen III making his NFL debut on Monday, an outing that included a sack.
4. Does Jaxon Smith-Njigba keep adding to historic season?
With 129 yards on eight catches last week, Jaxon Smith-Njigba posted a fourth consecutive 100-yard game, setting a franchise record, and he also tied Steve Largent's franchise record for 100-yard games in a season with six.
And with 948 yards through eight games, Smith-Njigba is on a record-setting pace. Yes, it's early, but Smith-Njigba is currently on pace for the first 2,000-yard receiving season in league history. When it comes to more immediate history, Smith-Njigba can, with 100 yards and eight receptions on Sunday, become the fifth player in league history to have 100 yards and eight catches in five consecutive games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Isaac Bruce and Calvin Johnson, as well as Anquan Boldin and Michael Thomas.
To keep up his record-setting pace, Smith-Njigba will have to find a bit more success than he did in the previous meeting with the Cardinals in which he was held to a season-low 79 yards on four catches, though the fact that he put up all of that production in the second half and overtime shows Smith-Njigba is more than capable of making plays against Arizona.
The Seahawks and Cardinals face off fore their second matchup of the season on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. 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.
