Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
SEATTLE -- The physical pounding Arizona is putting on Seattle has come at a price for Seattle.
Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu suffered a shoulder injury while tackling Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The symbolism should be instructive. Arizona has been the tougher team while building a 17-3 halftime lead.
Kurt Warner had completed 20 of 23 passes before throwing a Hail Mary for an interception to end the first half. He completed 20 of 23 in the first half against the Texans a week ago. He completed 24 of 26 overall against the Jaguars a few weeks ago. The guy is astonishing when he has time to throw and his current receivers on the other end.
Arizona had a hard time holding a halfime lead against Houston. It's an upset if the Seahawks reverse what is happening so far. Everything I'm seeing suggests the Seahawks are outmatched physically. Even when they've had chances to turn the momentum, the Cardinals have held their ground, notably following a fake punt that gained 42 yards.
Seattle is looking at taking a 2-4 record into its bye week unless something changes dramatically and unexpectedly.
The Cardinals are running the ball effectively with two tight ends now that Ben Patrick is back from suspension. As long as Arizona does not get too cute -- first-half examples included emptying the backfield for no good reason on one play, inserting LaRod Stephens-Howling into the backfield unnecessarily on another play -- the Seahawks will have to work hard to come back.
SEATTLE -- The physical pounding Arizona is putting on Seattle has come at a price for Seattle.
Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu suffered a shoulder injury while tackling Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The symbolism should be instructive. Arizona has been the tougher team while building a 17-3 halftime lead.
Kurt Warner had completed 20 of 23 passes before throwing a Hail Mary for an interception to end the first half. He completed 20 of 23 in the first half against the Texans a week ago. He completed 24 of 26 overall against the Jaguars a few weeks ago. The guy is astonishing when he has time to throw and his current receivers on the other end.
Arizona had a hard time holding a halfime lead against Houston. It's an upset if the Seahawks reverse what is happening so far. Everything I'm seeing suggests the Seahawks are outmatched physically. Even when they've had chances to turn the momentum, the Cardinals have held their ground, notably following a fake punt that gained 42 yards.
Seattle is looking at taking a 2-4 record into its bye week unless something changes dramatically and unexpectedly.
The Cardinals are running the ball effectively with two tight ends now that Ben Patrick is back from suspension. As long as Arizona does not get too cute -- first-half examples included emptying the backfield for no good reason on one play, inserting LaRod Stephens-Howling into the backfield unnecessarily on another play -- the Seahawks will have to work hard to come back.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
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