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The Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals face off in a divisional battle between NFC West teams on Sunday.
While the Seahawks are entering the Week 4 matchup with a 2-1 record, the Cardinals find themselves at 0-2-1.
However, Arizona has looked pretty decent at times this year, and they are the home team. It's also a divisional matchup, and anything can happen when two divisional rivals meet up.
So with that in mind, what does Seattle have to do to win the game? Here are three keys to victory for the Seahawks against the Cardinals in Week 4.
3. Harass Kyler Murray
First-overall pick Kyler Murray has looked really good so far. The rookie quarterback has had some issues, but overall he's been solid. While he does have three interceptions through three games, he also has four touchdowns and 830 passing yards.
Meanwhile, he's shown off the legs nicely with 86 yards on just 14 carries. He even has the longest carry of the season for Arizona, with a 20-yard burst.
That's the point, though; Murray has the longest run of the season. David Johnson hasn't had it yet this year. The running back has 133 yards in three games and a 3.7 yards per carry average. He simply hasn't looked like the Johnson of old before his injury.
So it's all about getting to Murray, who's been sacked the second-most in the NFL (16 times, one behind only the Tennessee Titans).
Murray has some solid weapons, led by Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald and talented youngster Christian Kirk. You can't give him time to find them open. Seattle needs to constantly bring pressure and keep Murray from being able to get comfortable in the pocket and go through his progressions.
If they bring the pressure, the Cardinals offense won't be able to handle it.
2. Control the Pace
The Arizona defense has been bad this year, really bad. They're allowing 286.3 passing yards and 157 rushing yards per game. That's a total of 443.3 yards a game, third-worst in the NFL (better than only the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins).
With that in mind, there really isn't one thing offensively that Seattle should do. They can run it down their throats or dominate through the air.
So the key should be to control the pace of the game. Win the possession battle, by a lot. There's no reason not to. Run the ball early and often, but don't forget about the passing game.
Spread the ball around in the air too. Arizona doesn't have anyone really in the secondary that should scare a team. Use that to your advantage and don't focus on any one person.
All this should help Seattle take control of the pace. Speed it up when you want to and slow things down when you feel it's necessary. Make the Cardinals play the game how you want and the Seahawks will walk out with a victory.
1. Protect Russell Wilson
The Seahawks aren't the best at protecting their quarterback either. Russell Wilson's been hit plenty in past years. At the moment, they've given up the 11th most sacks in the NFL with eight.
Arizona, on the other hand, does have some threats in the pass-rushing game. That includes ultra-talented Chandler Jones (who has three sacks) and future Hall of Famer Terrell Suggs (who has two sacks).
You can't let those guys get to the quarterback. That's how you'll find yourself in trouble.
Arizona doesn't have any interceptions on the year. If a quarterback is given time, he won't get into trouble. When the hits start coming anything can happen though. Especially with two heavy-hitters like Jones and Suggs. That could lead to a fumble or a forced throw. Or even just a sack ending a drive.
Of course, worst case scenario is an injury to Wilson. That could do a lot more than put the game in jeopardy.
The Seahawks are going into this games as favorites, and rightfully so. However, Arizona's home and a divisional rival. Anything can happen. If they start getting to Wilson things could turn in their favor very quickly.
Suddenly, it's Seattle that needs to worry about the pace and find a new game plan because the defense is harassing their quarterback. If the Seahawks want to win this game, they need to control the narrative. That starts with keeping your superstar quarterback protected.
