RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas was asked recently what he would be doing if he weren’t a professional football player.

"I’d be playing football," he said, without a pause. "I’ve been riding this wave since I was a little kid. So I’m going to keep riding it as long as possible."

Players often talk about how much they love the game, but with Thomas, it borders on maniacal. He believes he was born to play free safety, and the football field is where he's most at peace.

"I don’t really have good social skills," Thomas said. "I’m just a football player that loves the game. And when I’m out there, that’s when I can really socialize."

Added defensive lineman Michael Bennett: "He’s genuinely happy when he’s out there."

Thomas will be in the spotlight Sunday evening when the Seahawks host the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field. Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer is averaging an NFL-best 9.18 yards per attempt, and the Cardinals have produced 37 pass plays of 20 yards or more, third most in the league.

The Seahawks are primarily a single-high-safety team, and the deep middle part of the field is Thomas’ territory. That’s also where Palmer has had a ton of success. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Palmer has completed 73.2 of his attempts and averaged 13.5 YPA when throwing between the numbers 10 yards or more downfield.

For Thomas, the key will be not getting too greedy. Coach Pete Carroll and the defensive coaches teach him to cover two routes above all others: the seams and the post.

"I think they emphasize that every chance they get because they understand who they’ve got back there," Thomas said. "They just want to beat home in my brain that you’ve got to own seams and posts. And then all the other stuff, my instincts just naturally take over."

Assistant head coach/defense Rocky Seto added: "That’s a big emphasis. That’s what we ask him to take care of -- seams and posts. And any underneath routes or runs that get out, to make those tackles. He’s a critical player to eliminating explosive plays. If a little slant route or a little dive play gets out, he has to get the guy down."

After the Seahawks beat Chicago earlier this season, Thomas admitted that it was a boring game for him. The reason? Chicago didn’t take shots downfield. And it’s critical to the Seahawks’ scheme that Thomas doesn’t jump underneath routes and allow passes to get behind him.

"Sometimes I think that can handicap me," Thomas said. "But I still go with what the scheme is calling me to do."

Seto said: "Range is important, and also the ability to tackle is huge. The ability to stay disciplined in your work and being content. ‘I covered. I didn’t give up a seam. I didn’t give up a post. I made all my tackles.’ Knowing that that’s a great game. It takes a lot of discipline to stay in that mode."

Overall, the Seahawks have allowed 25 pass plays of 20 yards or more, tied for ninth fewest. But since Kam Chancellor returned in Week 3, they’ve allowed only 14 in six games.

There are signs the Seahawks aren’t too far off from their defenses of the previous two years. Since Chancellor returned, they rank second in yards per attempt (5.97) and yards per dropback (5.06), according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Palmer’s main target in the middle of the field has been wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Per ESPN Stats & Information, his 503 yards in between the numbers ranks second among NFL receivers.

Given that the Cardinals are averaging 29.13 points per game, second to only New England, Sunday night will provide a great measuring stick for where the Seahawks defense is.

"I think if you look at the big picture of how we move together, that’s the biggest thing that stands out to me," Thomas said. "We have to move as one. It’s one big body out there. It’s not just you’re playing corner, I’m playing safety. We’re actually tied on a string. And whatever concept we’re getting, we’re able to adapt through communication."