Look, division rivalries are usually a coin flip. You expect the home team to have an edge, or the better quarterback to eventually take over. But the Seahawks vs the Cardinals hasn't been a coin flip for a long time. It’s been a one-sided beatdown that borders on the surreal.
If you're an Arizona fan, looking at the recent history between these two teams is like watching a horror movie where the protagonist keeps running up the stairs instead of out the front door. Seattle has won nine straight games against the Cardinals as of early 2026. Nine. In a league defined by "any given Sunday," that kind of streak is basically impossible.
The 2025 season was supposed to be different for Arizona. Kyler Murray was healthy, Marvin Harrison Jr. was the shiny new toy at receiver, and the vibes in Glendale were actually decent for once. Instead, Seattle swept them again. They didn't just win; they embarrassed them, specifically in that Week 10 matchup at Lumen Field where the Seahawks hung 44 points on a defense that looked like it was stuck in quicksand.
The Night Everything Broke for Arizona
Let’s talk about that November 9th game. It was a 44-22 demolition. Most people saw the final score and figured Sam Darnold—who, let’s be honest, has had a career resurgence in Seattle that nobody saw coming—just carved them up. But the real story was DeMarcus Lawrence.
The veteran pass rusher scored two defensive touchdowns in the first half. Two!
Imagine being Jonathan Gannon. You spend all week preaching ball security, and your offense gives up two scoop-and-scores to the same guy before the halftime snacks are even served. It wasn't just bad luck. The Seahawks' defense under Mike Macdonald has become a legitimate nightmare for mobile quarterbacks. They didn't just chase Kyler Murray; they hemmed him in, forced him into awkward throws, and let the pass rushers feast.
Why the Cardinals Keep Falling Short
Honestly, the disconnect between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. was the most frustrating part of the 2025 series. You've got one of the most talented young receivers in the world, yet in their Week 4 meeting, Harrison was held to just one catch for eight yards in the first half.
The Seahawks have figured out a blueprint:
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- Bracket the primary target: They essentially told Murray, "We aren't letting the rookie beat us."
- Force the check-down: Arizona’s run game struggled after James Conner went down with that season-ending foot injury.
- Control the clock: In the second meeting, Seattle’s run game took over. Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III combined for nearly 200 yards on the ground.
Seattle basically plays keep-away. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, the Arizona defense is gassed. When you're facing a Mike Macdonald defense while tired, you've already lost.
The Sam Darnold Factor
Can we talk about Sam Darnold for a second? The guy was a punchline for years. Now, he’s leading a Seahawks team that finished the 2025 regular season with 14 wins and a No. 1 seed. He’s not playing like a "bridge" quarterback; he’s playing like a guy who finally found a system that treats him like a professional.
In the first Seahawks vs the Cardinals game of 2025, a Thursday Night thriller, Darnold led a walk-off drive that ended with a Jason Myers 52-yard field goal. It was cold-blooded. Darnold isn't trying to be a hero anymore. He’s just hitting Jaxon Smith-Njigba on crossers and letting his playmakers do the work. It’s simple, and it’s devastatingly effective.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
A lot of national media pundits like to say Arizona is "just a few players away."
That's a lie.
The gap between these two teams isn't about talent; it's about identity. Seattle knows exactly who they are. They are a physical, defensive-minded group that will run the ball down your throat and wait for you to blink. Arizona, meanwhile, feels like a team still searching for its soul. They have the flashy plays, but they lack the "bore you to death" consistency that wins NFC West titles.
Historically, the Cardinals used to be the "Seahawk Killers," especially when they'd go up to Seattle and win ugly games in the rain. Those days are gone. As of January 17, 2026, the Cardinals haven't swept the season series against Seattle since 2009. Think about that. Most of the players on the current roster were in elementary school the last time Arizona really owned this matchup.
The Path Forward for Arizona
If the Cardinals want to stop the bleeding in 2026, they have to stop the "Kyler-ball" heroics. It sounds counterintuitive because his mobility is his best trait. But against Seattle, it becomes a liability. The Seahawks' defensive ends stay disciplined. They don't over-pursue. They wait for Kyler to scramble into a sack.
Arizona needs to invest in the interior of that offensive line. If they can't protect the middle, it doesn't matter how fast Kyler is. They also need to find a way to make Trey Benson a legitimate threat. Without a run game, Seattle’s secondary—led by guys like Devon Witherspoon and Coby Bryant—can just sit back and wait for the inevitable interception.
Final Insights for the Next Matchup
Watching Seahawks vs the Cardinals has become a lesson in modern NFL coaching. Mike Macdonald has turned Seattle into a powerhouse by focusing on the details that Jonathan Gannon's squad seems to miss.
If you’re betting on this game or just watching as a fan, look at the turnover margin. In their last three meetings, Seattle is +5 in turnovers. You can't beat a top-tier team while giving them extra possessions.
Keep an eye on the injury reports heading into the next season. The health of the Seahawks' secondary is usually the only thing that gives Arizona a glimmer of hope. But even then, Seattle has shown they have the depth to plug-and-play and still come out on top. Arizona has to prove they can win a fistfight in the trenches before anyone should take them seriously in this rivalry again.
Check the local Seattle sports radio hits or Arizona's post-game pressers from late 2025. The tone is completely different. One side is confident, almost bored with winning. The other is searching for answers that might not exist with the current roster construction. Until Arizona fixes their defensive front, expect the "Bird-on-Bird" violence to continue in Seattle's favor.