NFL Week 12: 5 Can’t-Miss Games With Huge Playoff Implications
By Bryce Olin
Arizona Cardinals (9-1) vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
What’s At Stake:
This is a do-or-die game for the Seahawks, a must-win, if you will. There’s no way Seattle can battle back in the division or in the wildcard to make the playoffs if they lose to the Cardinals in Week 12.
I mean, sure, there’s a mathematical way that the Seahawks could make the playoffs, but either Philadelphia, Detroit, Dallas, Green Bay, and San Francisco would have to drop off completely for it to happen. It would take an epic collapse from one or two of those teams to miss the playoffs, if the Seahawks dropped to 6-5.
For Arizona, the shoe is on the other foot. The Cardinals can lockup the NFC West with a win at Seattle. Again, it’s not a mathematical “lock,” but for all intents and purposes, it would be a lock. Arizona isn’t going to lose the division with a 10-1 record and at least a three-game lead with five games to play. That just wouldn’t happen; sorry, Seahawks and 49ers fans.
Breakdown:
Arizona just beat Detroit 14-6 last weekend, and this weekend could be even uglier offensively.
For Arizona, this game is about controlling the ball and letting their defense make plays for them. Obviously, that isn’t Arizona’s game plan. They’re going to take shots down the field and hope to break a few big plays here and there; however, it would be in the Cardinals’ best interest to play the same game they played last week and grind out the victory.
Seattle’s offense isn’t as talented as Detroit’s, but the Seahawks have one man that could be the difference: Marshawn Lynch.
If Lynch goes “Beast Mode” on the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona will have a hard time winning the game. If Arizona stops the run, then you might as well get the serving tray ready because the Sea-Birds are going to be cooked.
True Beast Mode is hard to stop, though. Just ask the New Orleans Saints:
Prediction:
Seattle 20 Arizona 17
The Seahawks have their backs against the wall, and I think they’ll play like it for the first time all season. Plus, they aren’t going to let the Cardinals beat them in consecutive seasons at CenturyLink in Seattle.
Next: NFL Playoffs: Who's in and Who's out?
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