State Farm Stadium | Arizona Cardinals
State Farm Stadium | Arizona Cardinals
Michael Wilson, a second-year wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, compares the anticipation of Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks to his college rivalry games. "Not every Sunday you feel like you're 100 percent and in big games, going to sleep on that Saturday night or Friday, I know I have to wake up 100 percent feeling locked in with our mode of play on display," Wilson said. He acknowledges that rivalry games are easier to get motivated for due to their high stakes.
The upcoming match is crucial for both teams as it could determine their playoff destinies. A win for the Cardinals would put them at the top of the NFC West with a tiebreaker advantage, while a loss would widen the Seahawks' division lead.
Linebacker Kyzir White emphasizes the importance of this game, stating, "People might try to downplay it or for some people to say it's just a regular game. That might work for them," White said. "But I know the stakes are high. Everybody knows the stakes are high."
The Cardinals aim to rebound after recent losses to both the Seahawks and Vikings. Offensively, Wilson notes missed opportunities since their Week 11 bye but remains optimistic about improvements: "As bad we played offensively, we know that (the Seahawks) barely beat us, and I think with execution and with playing them recently, a lot of things are still fresh," he said.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald describes Sunday's game as "a road playoff game." Many players agree with this sentiment. White added, "It'll be our last time seeing them this year. It'll definitely mean a lot more."
For Wilson, this season has passed quickly but remains significant: "All games are big, but I think there's definitely, intrinsically, a little bit more emphasis on winning divisional, especially with the magnitude of what this game means for playoff implications," he stated.
In preparation for Sunday’s match at State Farm Stadium, which will have its roof open unless weather conditions change, safety Jalen Thompson has been listed as questionable due to illness.
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