Seahawks prepare to host Arizona Cardinals in regular-season finale

RENTON, Wash. — After clinching an NFC wild-card berth with A win over Kansas City on Sunday night, the Seahawks will host the Arizona Cardinals in their final home game of the regular season.

Arizona will try slowing down running back Chris Carson and the Seahawks, who lead the NFL in rushing attempts and yards.

Seattle’s first-round draft pick, running back Rashaad Penny, was also back at practice on Wednesday and could play Sunday against the Cardinals.

“We have not been very successful against the Cardinals here, and it’s important to us to make sure that we are,” said head coach Pete Carroll. “We’ve got to put together a nice game.”

The Seahawks can wrap up the No. 5 seed and a matchup with Dallas in Arlington, Texas, by beating Arizona on Sunday.

Carroll sends this message to his players about focusing on the regular-season finale without looking too far ahead.

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"If we start doing that and trying to figure out which game is more important than another one, I don’t think you can count on getting back on track,” said Carroll.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner and the Seahawks have a lot of respect for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who could be playing in the final game of his career at CenturyLink Field on Sunday.

"Hopefully it's not his last game,” said Wagner. “Hopefully he comes back and keeps making catches. His routes are still crisp, [and] he still runs fast. But at the end of the day, it's all about you and your family."

"He's (Fitzgerald) been a phenomenal competitor,” said Carroll. “He's really tough and physical. He's extraordinarily talented. He's classy. He's got great character about the way he plays."

As Wagner and the Seahawks defense try taking down quarterback Josh Rosen and the Arizona Cardinals again, Wagner says he might consider helping out the rookie this time around.

"This go-around I'll probably help him up,” said Wagner with a smile. “I'm a little nicer now. It's the holiday season."

Cox Media Group