The Seattle Seahawks are back on the winning track after taking care of business in Atlanta against the one-win Falcons. Now they return to the Pacific Northwest to face an unfriendly face at home: Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians.
Arians has long been a nemesis to Seattle. From 2013-2017, the Arizona Cardinals were a thorn in the Seahawks’ side, and Arians was their head coach.
During his time with Arizona, Arians’ Cardinals won four out of five total road games in Seattle. Arizona managed to do it in a different way each time, showing off Arians’ coaching versatility. In 2013 the Cardinals ground out a 17-10 upset despite quarterback Carson Palmer throwing four interceptions. In 2015 Arizona torched the Legion of Boom and offensively dominated with a 39-32 win on “Sunday Night Football.”
The following two years, the Cardinals escaped twice on game-winning field goal attempts. In 2016 they marched down the field and made one to win 34-31, whereas in 2017 they held on to a 26-24 victory when Seahawks kicker Blair Walsh missed his kick as time expired.
Although the Seahawks always fared exceptionally well against Arians and the Cardinals when they traveled to Arizona — never losing once in the desert during his tenure — the point is he knows how to win in Seattle.
In fact, no other coach has had more success against the Seahawks in Seattle under Pete Carroll than Arians and his four wins.
Arians’ Buccaneers are hot and cold this year. While their inconsistency will likely cost them a playoff spot in the long run, the fact is when they are at their best they are capable of delivering crushing blows to anyone. The Seahawks should be on high alert against a flawed yet talented Tampa Bay team.
