I know it’s only Week Four, but this is the biggest game of the season so far for the Seattle Seahawks. They’ve already lost one game to an NFC West opponent and can’t afford to lose another. The Arizona Cardinals also come into the game with a 2-1 record, emphasizing the importance of this already huge matchup,  and where else would it take place other than Thursday Night Football?

The Seahawks go into this matchup having won seven of their last eight games against the Cardinals, but this is their first time facing them with Sam Darnold as their quarterback.

Seattle will also be getting a boost in their secondary with Devon Witherspoon and Julian Love returning to the lineup. Witherspoon had missed the last two games, and Love missed the game against the Saints. On the injury front for the Cardinals, they will be without running back James Conner, who will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ankle injury last week in a loss against the 49ers. Second-year back Trey Benson will take over the reins in the Cardinals’ backfield.

The Seahawks have played good football over the last two weeks, and they’ll need that to continue coming off a short week, traveling into Arizona.

Here are my three keys for a Seahawks victory:

1. Establish an Early Lead

Of course, you never want to be playing catch-up in the NFL, so generating an early lead is important in every game. But for the Seahawks, playing with a lead against the Cardinals is extremely important. Kyler Murray struggled to throw the ball effectively against the 49ers last week, finishing the game with just 159 passing yards while completing only 22 of 35 attempts.

Forcing Murray into obvious passing situations will be huge if the Seahawks want to have success on Thursday. But that depends on them getting a lead, which leads me to my next point.

2. Get the Running Game Going

Klint Kubiak’s offense is at its most effective when the Seahawks are running the ball well. As the saying goes, “the run sets up the pass” — and vice versa.

Even though they put up 44 points against the Saints, the Seahawks didn’t run the ball well. If you just look at the box score, you’d see Kenneth Walker’s two touchdowns and think the Seahawks did run the ball well. But Walker finished the game with only 38 yards on 16 carries ,that’s just 2.4 yards per carry. That isn’t a recipe for success on most nights.

Zach Charbonnet is healthy and expected to play tomorrow night after missing last Sunday’s game. Seattle will have their one-two punch of Walker and Charbonnet in the backfield, which will be huge in establishing the run.

3. Stop Trey McBride

Historically, the Seahawks have struggled to cover tight ends. I can’t even begin to explain how many tight ends have had huge games against Seattle, and they haven’t all been Pro Bowl-caliber players either.

In Week One, George Kittle was on track to have another big day before injuring his hamstring. Trey McBride had two huge games against the Seahawks last year, including one with 12 catches for 133 yards. He’s Kyler Murray’s most reliable target, and rightfully so. Since taking over the starting tight end role, McBride has done nothing but consistently produce.

The Seahawks have to do whatever it takes to stop number 85 from getting going. Otherwise, it could be a long day for the Seattle defense.It should be a fun game under the Thursday Night lights. I can’t wait. Kickoff is at 5:15.