The eyes will be on the quarterbacks and how they perform, with the Seattle Seahawks going with rookie Russell Wilson and the Arizona Cardinals letting John Skelton guide the offense in Week 1 of the NFL season on Sunday.
But the real key to victory for either team could be found in how the defenses perform against these quarterbacks.
Neither offense seems geared to explode, but both defenses have big-play capability. The Seahawdefensive coordinator. The Cardinals defense has posted seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 10 interceptions and 27 sacks in the last eight games against the Seahawks. Arizona collected eight sacks in two meetings between the division rivals last season.
Seattle's defense is one of the more underrated in the league. With big, physical cornerbacks in Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner plus hard-hitting safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, the secondary is strong. The Cardinals could have a hard time establishing the run against a solid Seahawks defensive front, especially with question marks on the offensive line and Beanie Wells banged up.
Look for Skelton to target Larry Fitzgerald a lot.
Get more Cardinals coverage at Revenge of the Birds.