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Cardinals look for win heading into playoffs

Dec 23, 2008 - 4:34 PM Seattle (4-11) at Arizona (8-7), 4:15 pm EST

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The Arizona Cardinals haven't exactly been playing like a division winner after clinching the NFC West title, but at least they won't have to dodge any snowballs in the next two weeks.

Back in the desert after getting snowed under in New England, the Cardinals host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in their final tuneup for the playoffs.

It also will be the last game for Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who is retiring after 10 seasons in Seattle, although the 60-year-old Holmgren has indicated that he could return to the NFL.

Next week, Arizona (8-7) hosts its first playoff game since 1947, when the franchise was located in Chicago.

However, since celebrating its first division crown in 33 years, the Cardinals have been outscored by a combined margin of 82-21 in losses to Minnesota and New England.

Last week, Arizona was out of its element, suffering a 47-7 loss in blizzard-like conditions in Foxborough.

In consecutive games, the Cardinals have trailed 28-0 and 31-0 at the intermission. They became the first team since the 1961 Oakland Raiders to face halftime deficits of 28-0 or worse in two straight contests.

Arizona would like to beat Seattle, if for no other reason than to take some momentum into the playoffs.

If the Cardinals don't raise their level of play, coach Ken Whisenhunt knows his team will be one-and-done.

"I can't explain it," he said. "I don't understand it. It's disappointing and it's not acceptable. This time of year, you're supposed to be playing better football than that. We've

got to find that team that can play with anybody in the league."

Arizona is 5-0 within the division, including a 26-20 victory in Seattle on November 16.

Kurt Warner passed for 395 yards, the sixth of his seventh 300-yard games this season. Arizona receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald combined for 23 receptions and 337 yards.

The Seahawks sent Holmgren out as a winner in his final home game last week, posting a 13-3 victory over the New York Jets in another contest played in a snowstorm. In the process, Seattle put a major damper on the Jets' playoff hopes.

Holmgren has guided the Seahawks to an 86-73 record, including an appearance in Super Bowl XL in 2006. He has an overall mark of 161-110, highlighted by a victory in Super Bowl XXXI in 1997, when he was in Green Bay.