Tyrann Mathieu thinks Seattle Seahawks still are team to beat in NFC, but Cardinals to be 'legitimate contenders''

Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu has had a few media roundups this offseason, most recently dealing with some work he did with PETA on a video of staying in a hot car. He was a guest on The Rich Eisen Show, and talked about that and some of what is coming in 2015.

Mathieu was asked about the Cardinals' chances and also who was the team to beat in the NFC West .

Mathieu showed respect to the Seattle Seahawks, saying they are still the team to beat.

"I've never been a fan of disrespecting the people who have earned it, so for me it would have to be Seattle,"he told Eisen. "Those guys went to the Super Bowl two times in a row and they have everything we want."

He said the Cardinals "will definitely have to go through Seattle this year."

At the same time, he like the Cardinals chances. He said, "I think we're going to be legitimate contenders this year."

He added the team would need to stay healthy, but he echoes the sentiment of all Cardinals fans. There are big expectations for the team.

Mathieu just isn't going to punch the Cardinals' ticket quite yet. He understands it is Seattle's division still until someone takes it away from them. And considering the Cardinals have only beaten the Seahawks twice in six tries since the start of 2012, it is the right way to look at it.