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Keys to a Cardinals’ victory over the Seahawks in Week 18

It seems like it was just yesterday the Arizona Cardinals embarked on the beginning of their 2021-2022 season. But while the regular season may have sped by, there is solace knowing Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks will not be the Cardinals’ last. For the first time since 2015, Arizona will be returning to the playoffs.

Similar to 2015, the Cardinals will square off at home against the Seattle Seahawks in their regular-season finale. Unlike 2015, however, Arizona does not have the division title locked up. The Cardinals need a win against Seattle and a Los Angeles Rams loss to the San Francisco 49ers to secure their fourth division title since the 2002 realignment. In doing so, Arizona can move from the No. 5 seed to as high as the No. 2 seed, providing them with an opportunity to host a home game in the playoffs. That would be a much deserving treat for a fanbase who has had to ride a roller coaster of emotions the past few weeks. Here is what they will need to do to win on Sunday.

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Build off last week

(AP Foto/Roger Steinman)

A trip to their home state of Texas seemed to be just what Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray needed to get both themselves and their team back on track. A win in Dallas did not just end a three-game skid, but also restored the swagger and confidence for all.

Returning home should not halt that progress, provided the Cardinals can finally play a game at home as well as they have played on the road. Facing a division rival, one as revered as Seattle, should bring out the best in everyone. With a playoff berth locked up, the division title is still at stake. More importantly, a win against the Seahawks will be a building block to what they can do in the playoffs.

Bring the road intensity home

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

One of the more confounding parts to the Cardinals season has been their home vs. road performance. Arizona is a league-best 8-1 on the road but only 3-4 at home. While much of the difference can be pinpointed to turnovers — 11 at home vs. three on the road — it really just comes down to focus and intensity. At home, the team has appeared flat and uninspired. On the road, they play with more energy and passion. It is not yet known whether this will be the Cardinals’ final home game or whether they will get to host one in the playoffs. A dominating performance, especially against Seattle, would be a gracious thank you to fans who have paid their hard-earned money to attend games.

Expect Seattle’s best

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At 6-10 entering their season finale, the Seahawks would like nothing more than to play spoiler to one of their division rivals. Seattle is having their first 10-loss season under head coach Pete Carroll and there is a lot of speculation that either a coaching or a quarterback change will be coming in the offseason.

Russell Wilson’s first pro start in 2012 came against the Cardinals, a 20-16 loss, in Glendale. In what may be his final game in a Seahawks jersey, you know he is going to want to go out on a high note.

Kliff Kingsbury recently acknowledged, “We know this is a big one for Seattle. Pete put it on record that they’re treating it like their Super Bowl. It’ll be a tremendous game.”

Spanning the course of 45 games over 45 years, these two clubs each have a 22-22-1 record against one another. The winner of Sunday’s game will have bragging rights. At least until they square off again in the fall of 2022.

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