(Getty)
Final Score
Seahawks 0-14-0-21 — 35
Cardinals 0-3-0-0 — 6
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Arizona Cardinals to move to 11-4 and take over 1st place in the NFC West. The Arizona Cardinals dropped to 11-4 and to a Wild Card spot.
Russell Wilson was masterful in doing everything in his power to pick apart the heralded Cardinals defense. Wilson finished the night 20-for-31 with 339 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 88 yards and a touchdown. Marshawn Lynch’s 79-yard touchdown run was only something that #BeastMode could pull off. The Seahawks had 596 total yards of offense to Arizona’s 222.
There is a problem in the desert. Ryan Lindley, no matter how much head coach Bruce Arians will try, is not going to help the Cardinals to the promised land. Lindley finished 18-for-44 for 216 yards and an interception.
The Seahawks close their season by hosting the St. Louis Rams next weekend. If they win, and Dallas loses, the Seahawks would be the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. The Cardinals will host the San Francisco 49ers in what will, most likely, be Jim Harbaugh’s farewell.
Beast Mode Sealed the Deal
Marshawn Lynch: 79-yard TD run … longest TD run of his career
#BeastMode
Wilson to Wilson Through the Air Gave Seahawks 15-point Lead
2 TD catches (so far) tonight for @LWillson_82. #SEAvsAZ http://t.co/IkdJ8Wwft4
Luke Wilson hauled in his 2nd TD reception of the game that gave the Seahawks a 21-6 lead with 11:59 remaining in the 4th quarter.
Haushcka’s 3 Missed FGs Kept the Cardinals Within Striking Distance
Pete Carroll’s face was directed to Hauschka — the NFL’s 2nd most accurate kicker of all-time behind current Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey — missed field goals from 52 yards, 50 yards and 47 yards.
Carroll just shot Hauschka a look from the “What’s Your Deal, Bro?” collection.
Lynch Overcame “Upset Stomach” to Score TD Late in the 2nd Quarter
Robert Turbin starts for Seahawks after Marshawn Lynch has upset stomach. Beast Mode’s fantasy owners may be feeling nauseous, too.
Lynch’s upset stomach at the beginning of the game was really nothing to be worried about considering he eventually played and started chomping down on Skittles on the sideline…
Oh, and he also scored a touchdown.
Lynch’s 6-yard TD run — his league leading 15th of the season — gave the Seahawks a 14-3 lead with 3:41 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Wilson to Wilson Gave the Seahawks Their 1st Lead of the Game
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS!!!
Wilson to Willson for 80 yards.
Ties career long for @DangeRussWilson.
Career long for @LWillson_82.
Russell Wilson connected on a play action roll out pass to the right where he found tight end Luke Wilson behind the Cardinals safeties and connected on a long TD pass that gave the Seahawks a 7-3 lead.
Hauschka Missed Long FG That Would’ve Gave Seahawks the Game’s 1st Lead
Both defenses put in strong performances in the 1st quarter.
END OF 1ST QUARTER
@Seahawks 0, @AZCardinals 0. #SEAvsAZ http://t.co/D9VWmrHbKd
On the final play of the quarter, Russell Wilson scrambled out of the pocket and scampered for 55 yards — the longest run of his career.
Seattle, however, could not take advantage as Steve Hauschka missed a 52-yard field goal that kept the game scoreless in the 2nd quarter.
1st Place in the NFC West Is on the Line Tonight
The first time the Arizona Cardinals faced the Seattle Seahawks this season, the Seahawks won 19-3 in Seattle. There is now just one game separating the 11-3 Cardinals and the 10-4 Seahawks, and this game has enormous playoff implications for the NFC. If the Seahawks win, they will take over the NFC West lead and the NFC’s top overall seed. If the Cardinals win, they’ll clinch the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Seahawks are going to have to continue to play without their top two offensive linemen. Left Tackle Russell Okung and center Max Unger will not play. Okung is out with a bruised lung and Unger with knee and ankle injuries, the same injuries that have kept him out since Week 11 against the Chiefs. Seattle will look to go back to the well and what gave them success against the Cardinals in their first meeting — their running game. Marshawn Lynch is tied with Jamaal Charles for most touchdowns this season (14).
The Cardinals after losing Drew Stanton are now down to Ryan Lindley and Logan Thomas. Neither seem to be the answer, which will make winning an ugly field goal, defensive battle a lot tougher. Lindley owns a career 51.4 completion percentage, and has yet to throw a touchdown pass in his three seasons as a pro — he has thrown seven interceptions.
Both teams are in the midst of ending their season with consecutive divisional games. The Seahawks will host the St. Louis Rams next Sunday and the Cardinals will visit San Francisco to take on the 49ers.
