2016 NFL Christmas Game Schedule & Predictions: Seattle Seahawks Expected to Glide Through Arizona Cardinals in Week 16

By Carlo Monzon
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks lock arms during the National Anthem prior to a NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. TODAY Sports Kirby Lee-USA

After their impressive win against the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks are now getting closer to securing a playoff spot as they head into their last two games of the season. On Christmas Eve, they'll be facing off against the Arizona Cardinals, the team they tied with at Week 7.

With a current record of 9-4-1, the Seahawks are feeling pretty optimistic about their playoff chances. But, for now, they have shifted their focus on their rivals, the Cardinals. During their first meeting in the regular season, the match ended in a tie.

This coming weekend, Seattle will surely be looking to settle the score with the Cardinals by going for the win.

Over the past couple of games, the Seahawks have shown what their offense and defense can do. They will probably bring the same type of performance when they take on the Cardinals, who are now looking at a losing record for the first time in four years.

As for the Arizona franchise, the team will have a slightly different roster than the one it had with during the Week 7 match against the Seahawks. Aside from injuries, there were also other players who were released from the roster, including former Seahawks cornerback Tharold Simon who was waived earlier this week, according to 247 Sports.

Still though, Cardinals coach Bruch Arians is still confident that the new lineup will be able to take on Seattle.

"We don't have the same team we played them here with, but I like the way we played this past week offensively," he said according to Metro News. "Special teams, other than the missed extra point, we're good. We had a couple of good kickoff returns. Defensively, we've got to show up."

Arians is right to say that the Cardinals still need to do some work in improving their defense. This is one major aspect that the Seahawks could capitalize on in order to win the upcoming game.

The match between the Seahawks and Cardinals will be held on Dec. 24 at CenturyLink Field with the kickoff at 1:25 PST. Those looking to watch the game through their television sets can catch it through Fox while the NFL will also hold an online streaming through the Game Pass website.