NFL Game of the Week: Cardinals at Seahawks

The NFL has flown into Week 12, and the start of the playoff race is underway.

A huge NFC West matchup takes place this week as the Seahawks host the first-place Cardinals.

The Cardinals have surprised everyone. After starting 2-4, they have rattled off four straight wins and find themselves at the top of the NFC West.

The Seahawks started flaming hot at 3-0 but have gone 2-5 down the stretch. After a big win over the 49ers on Sunday, they look to keep the train rolling with another victory over the Cardinals.

Kyler Murray looks back to his peak form, being a threat in the air and on the ground. Murray has passed for over 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns but has added another 317 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

He ranks ninth in the league in passer rating and third in QBR. He also protects the ball, only turning the ball over six times in total.

Murray has worked his way into MVP voting, and with the help of fourth-overall pick Marvin Harrison, they have turned this offense into one to be reckoned with.

The Seahawks' potent offense must take advantage of the lack of talent on the Cardinals' defensive side of the ball.

Geno Smith has brought his career back to life, fitting in as the perfect quarterback for the Seahawks' elite wide receiver room and a deadly running back duo with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.

Max Melton has looked promising thus far on the back end for the Cardinals, but the rest of the secondary outside Budda Baker is quite lackluster.

Smith, with a healthy D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, is primed to have a field day against this Cardinals defense.

This should be a high-scoring affair between the two, with both offenses scoring over 23 points per game and both defenses allowing over 22 points per game.

The key for the Seahawks to win is to take advantage of the weak secondary of the Cardinals, which allows for the ninth most passing yards per game.

On defense, Seattle needs to get to Murray and keep him in the pocket. When Murray gets out of the pocket, he becomes a threat.

The Seahawks have a good secondary, but when you allow the quarterback to extend the play, he will find people open downfield.

The key for the Cardinals on offense is to hold the line. The Seahawks rank 11th in pressure percentage, which means Murray has a chance to control the game with his feet as long as he can escape the pocket.

On defense, the Cardinals have to stop the Seahawks' offense early and often. If they allow the Seahawks to get into a rhythm with all the weapons they have, it's going to be hard to stop them.

This game is set for 4:25 Sunday afternoon on CBS.

Tristan Kunec is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email tqk5432@psu.edu.