Written by Mike Parker | 18 October 2009

Today's huge inter-division matchup at Qwest Field between the Seahawks and Cardinals is of tremendous importance to both teams. With the 49ers suddenly falling back down to earth during an ugly 45-10 blowout at Candlestick last week, this division is quite clearly up for grabs. More importantly, this is an absolute must-win on a mental level for the Seahawks, as they would get to a 3-3 record heading into a bye week.

To get that victory, the Seahawks must pull off the following:

• Pressure Kurt Warner. It's no secret the aging Arizona QB hates playing up here. The 12th Man should consistently remind him of this every time his offense takes the field. Warner has excellent chemistry with top weapon Larry Fitzegerald, and it will be nothing short of critical to keep that connection in check. (Aaron Curry, are you listening?)
  
• Pass, Pass, Pass. Arizona inexplicably has the league's worst pass defense, allowing roughly 202 yards through the air per game. Matt Hasselbeck has plenty of weapons to exploit this. And yet, the Cardinals are tough on the run, ranking first in the league on that side of the ball. This lopsided situation on defense is something Greg Knapp should take full advantage of.
• Protect Matt Hasselbeck. The banged-up offensive line needs to continue its surprisingly solid play that it showed during last week's win against Jacksonville. Taking on DT Darnell Dockett will be a huge test for them, as will paying attention to what SS Adrian Wilson does just prior to the snap. Matt doesn't want that guy in his face again, and for good reason.
• Contain Arizona's Receivers. Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and even Steven Breaston are all dynamic players who lit up the Hawks' defense like a Christmas tree last year. Time to show them that this year, it won't be so easy.

There are a ton of other mitigating factors that come into play here, such as the run defense giving Beanie Wells a proper rookie introduction to Seattle football at Qwest Field. But overall, we've already seen this year that Arizona can put points on the board and move the ball quickly downfield. But if Matt Schaub and the Texans could put 21 unanswered points up against them in their own stadium (and only lose because of a terribly bad goal-line performance that would've led to the game-tying touchdown), the Seahawks should have confidence that they are the better, more well-rounded team on the field today.

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