Now, Cardinals are NFC West’s bad boys

SEATTLE — When Arizona came to Seattle and beat the Seahawks last season, it felt like a changing of the guard.

The way the Cardinals did it again on Sunday, it doesn’t look like it will be changing back any time soon.

Arizona’s 27-3 victory Sunday in an NFL game at Qwest Field was as clear a signal as you could ever see that the Seahawks’ dominance of the NFC West is over.

“We feel like that, personally. You don’t say it outright, but we feel like that,” Arizona nose tackle Bryan Robinson said. “You have to take it away from us. We earned it. I know it’s a new year, but you have to take it away from us.”

“I think for the next couple of years, I think Arizona — hopefully for longer than a couple of years — I think Arizona will be a team to be reckoned with,” Robinson said.

There will be no argument from these quarters.

For four seasons, from 2004 through 2007, Seattle ruled the NFC West, and the Seahawks beat the Cardinals here five straight times dating back to 2003.

Meanwhile, Arizona hadn’t made the playoffs since 1998, and the Cardinals hadn’t won a division title since 1975, when they were based in St. Louis.

So, last season, after Arizona beat Seattle 26-20 at Qwest Field, several Cardinals said it was one of their biggest road victories in a long, long time.

They went on to win the division and the NFC championship, and very nearly the Super Bowl.

Sunday, the Cardinals bolstered their standing as the new neighborhood bully.

“To come up here and win up here two years in a row, that’s saying something,” Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner said. “(Seattle) has been so good and so good at home, and this place is so tough to win in. Then, to win like we did today was definitely a building block for us.”

Warner helped set the tone early, completing all nine of his pass attempts on Arizona’s opening drive. The Cardinals went 80 yards in 15 plays and used 10 minutes and 42 seconds en route to Warner’s 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Then Arizona recovered the ball on the ensuing kickoff and scored again three plays later. Twelve minutes into the game, the Cardinals led 14-0 and the Seattle offense had yet to set foot on the field.

In other words, Arizona came into Qwest Field, punched the Seahawks flush in the nose and dared them to fight back.

They didn’t.

“Fourteen quick points, and that was all she wrote,” Arizona defensive end Calais Campbell said.

The game was over, and so is Seattle’s run as division bad boys. The Seahawks dropped to 2-4 while Arizona improved to 3-2, tied with San Francisco for first place in the division.

“Plain and simple, we feel confident playing against the Seahawks,” Robinson said. “That’s no knock on them, but when you play a team twice in your division you know what they’re going to do, you understand their technique, and you put a little bit more into your division games.”

“We’re just a confident team,” he said.

Seahawks apologists will point out that, like last year, Seattle has been ravaged by injuries, and several Cardinals were gracious enough to mention that after the game.

“I don’t know if we got their best shot today, but I’ll take a win any way I can get it,” said Fitzgerald, who had 13 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. “Seattle’s been the leader in this division for a long time. We were finally able to get over the hump last year, but these guys still play with the heart of a champion. We’re fortunate to come in here and get a win.”

No, the Seahawks were fortunate to get out of Sunday’s game with anybody still standing.

Warner torched them for 276 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Arizona defense held Seattle to a team-record low 14 rushing yards and a pitiful 128 yards of total offense.

No amount of healthy Seahawks would have made a difference in the outcome.

Last year was not a one-time thing. There is a new order in the NFC West, and it starts with the teams in red, Arizona and San Francisco.

“Right now, you know that when you play the Cardinals it’s not an easy win,” Robinson said. “Bring your lunch pail. Bring it, because it’s going to be a long day.

“It’s not where you see Arizona on your schedule and you already chalk it up as a win,” he said. “Those days are gone. Those are gone.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.