Week 4 of the NFL season begins with the first of two Thursday Night Football appearances for the Seattle Seahawks. Their road TNF game is at the Arizona Cardinals, who lost to the San Francisco 49ers
last week. Seattle’s lone defeat was to a healthier 49ers team in Week 1, but nevertheless both teams are 2-1 and looking to avoid a dreaded 0-2 NFC West start in the division. The 12s will surely be heard loud and clear in Glendale, which has been a home away from home for Seahawks fans given the consistent track record of winning at State Farm Stadium. Let’s keep that annual tradition going this year!
Let’s review last week’s predictions, which were not very good but I don’t care when the game is won that comfortably.
Bold prediction: The Seahawks go turnover-free at home for once
Almost. George Holani fumbled late and tore up my prediction.
Seahawks offense prediction: Elijah Arroyo gets his first NFL touchdown
The wait continues.
Seahawks defense prediction: Riq Woolen picks off Spencer Rattler
Did I say Riq? I meant Derion Kendrick. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Opposition prediction: Alvin Kamara goes for over 100 yards (again)
Not even close, thankfully.
Game prediction: Seahawks win comfortably, but maybe less so given the injuries
I originally said 31-13 and changed it to 27-16. I should’ve stuck to my original pick since it was closer to the actual score.
Bold prediction: Arizona’s offense is held under 200 yards
The Cardinals haven’t even broken 300 yards of offense, but they’ve hit a minimum 260 in their three previous games. They’re reeling with the loss of James Conner and it’s possible that offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s job is in jeopardy. If offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr can’t go then their offensive line takes a big hit. Kyler Murray hasn’t been bad but he hasn’t been outstanding, which I think accurately sums up much of his NFL career.
Seattle’s defense is playing at a very high level and this unit is getting Julian Love and Devon Witherspoon back. The run defense has been stout and while the pass rush could be better at finishing off plays by generating sacks, the pressure rate has been outstanding. We’re even seeing good play out of depth players like Ty Okada, D’Anthony Bell, and Derion Kendrick, which is always a bonus.
I believe the Seahawks will make a big statement tonight and hold Arizona below the 200-yard mark, something that hasn’t happened to Arizona with Kyler Murray as starter since his rookie season back in 2019.
Seahawks offense prediction: Jaxon Smith-Njigba eclipses 100 yards again
The only reason JSN didn’t get over 100 yards in the Saints game was because it was extended garbage time and there was no need for him to be involved in the fourth quarter. His 323 yards is the best three-game start for any Seahawks receiver in franchise history. JSN only had seven plays of 20+ yards as a rookie; he has six already through three weeks of his third season. He’s not the typical speedster who can burn anyone for 80-yard touchdowns, but he knows how to get open whether in the slot or on the outside, and he’s a true threat at all three levels.
Arizona’s banged up cornerback room got lit up by Ricky Pearsall for over 117 yards in the 49ers game, as well as 100 yards on six catches by Carolina Panthers rookie Tet McMillan. For as long as this passing offense generally evolves around JSN, I see no reason why the former Ohio State star can’t light it up once again.
Seahawks defense prediction: The Seahawks finally recover a fumble
This is a bit of a silly prediction on the surface until you realize that Seattle’s last defensive fumble recovery was Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers. Seattle only recovered five fumbles in 2024 and haven’t actually forced any fumbles through the early portion of this season. Fumble recoveries are mostly luck but I think the ability to force fumbles has significant skill involved.
Arizona has been clean with turnovers—one Kyler Murray interception and a James Conner fumble that was recovered by the offense—but I sense the Seahawks will bust their own drought and we’ll see Murray strip-sacked into a lost fumble. If there was ever a time for Derick Hall or Boye Mafe to break their sack goose egg, it’s tonight.
Cardinals prediction: Calais Campbell adds to his Seahawks collection
Calais Campbell is seemingly ageless. He’s one of the best defensive tackles of his era and the Seahawks know his game all too well. You know how much he’s wreaked havoc on the Seahawks? Last year with the Miami Dolphins, he sacked Geno Smith and tipped a pass that led to an interception. Campbell hadn’t played against Seattle since 2017, when he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has sacked Matt Hasselbeck, Tarvaris Jackson, Russell Wilson, and Geno Smith, aka every QB1 Seattle has had up until last year.
There are still worries for me with the interior of this offensive line, and I think Campbell ends up sacking Sam Darnold to make it a full set.
Game prediction: Seahawks keep the good times rolling in Glendale
I have concerns about the Seahawks offense against this improving Arizona defense. The offensive line could be in for a tough night against a revamped Cardinals front, and Budda Baker is always a danger in the secondary. However, I have the utmost confidence in the Seahawks defense to shut down this uninspiring (and now diminished) Cardinals offense.
It might not be the prettiest game you see and indeed it could be the type of Thursday night poopfest that has Richard Sherman getting bad flashbacks, but I believe Seattle will pull away late in the fourth quarter and notch another win over Arizona. Let’s go with 26-13.
I’m done here; now it’s your turn! Make your predictions by scrolling down to the comments section!
