The road to 2-0 starts now.
The road to 2-0 starts now.
But it’s a lot more difficult than fans might have thought a couple of weeks ago.
That’s because while the Seahawks earned a thrilling win and looked like the team they are — the defending Super Bowl champions — Arizona looked better than most people expected.
The Cardinals forged a 26-14 road win over a solid Los Angeles Chargers team.
A win that caught the attention of co-hosts Byron Murphy II and Derick Hall on "The Darkside."
“I think, honestly, they have a really good team. They have a really good team. They played well. They did a lot of things really well on both sides of the ball. I feel like we have our work cut out for us. You’ve got to respect this game. In any moment, any given Sunday, you can roll out the ball and put your best foot forward,” Hall said, adding, “We respect every team we play.”
Indeed, it’s a divisional matchup, which, if the NFC West is as close as people think it will be this year, could make a tiebreaker for records in divisional play key when it matters most in January.
“That’s our mindset. We don’t think nobody can roll out the ball and do whatever they want on us. If you beat us, you definitely earned the hell out of it,” Hall added.
Looking specifically at the matchup, while the Cardinals have not beaten the Seahawks since 2021, this is an entirely different team, and the Hawks are well aware that, in this case, different may very well mean better.
“It’s another game. It’s how I look at it. It’s another opportunity,” Murphy II said.
“I’m looking forward to it. I feel like they’re a better team this year. They’ve got a new offensive coordinator, new head coach as well, got rid of Kyler Murray, got Brissett at the quarterback position. New running back Jeremiyah Love, so I’m looking forward to that, looking forward to that battle right there. He’s a great back, a special kind of back, so I’m looking forward to going out there to shut that down, try putting that to rest,” Byron said.
That is a unique part of this. Love was the Cardinals’ first-round pick at No. 3 overall, and he goes against Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price, his college teammate at Notre Dame.
Two first-round picks from the same collegiate power are now immediate opponents in the NFL.
“That will be special. We even talked about it, how we want to maybe swap jerseys or something if we can. ’Cause it’ll be a very special moment. I know a lot of Notre Dame fans and Notre Dame people will look forward to that moment, so we’ll definitely get a picture,” Price said.
Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. in Arizona, the first road game for the Seahawks. While it is a road game, we know 12s travel, especially to Glendale — or they’re 12s who relocated there.
The Hawks know to expect that love.
“Man, the 12s travel crazy. I really don’t ever feel like we have a road game,” Hall said.
“I feel like it’s going to be a great game, a good battle,” Murphy II said.
The Hawks are favored by 3.5 points as they go for their 10th straight win over Arizona.
