Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
· National Football LeagueCoby Bryant's pick-6 highlights big day for Seahawks' defense in 16-6 win over Cardinals
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had six catches for 77 yards and the first offensive touchdown against the Cardinals (6-5) in three weeks. But it was the defense that made the difference for the Seahawks (6-5) against their division rivals, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.
“I thought he was dominant,” Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said of Williams. “I knew he played great and then I looked at the stat line and I realized he played out of his mind.”
Williams finished with six tackles and four quarterback hurries for Seattle, which has beaten Arizona six straight times. The teams play again in two weeks.
The Cardinals averaged more than 29 points per game in their previous three, but the Seahawks held them to 298 total yards and 49 yards rushing while sacking Murray five times.
Williams said the team has been coming together since a leadership meeting following their bye week two weeks ago. He said the Seahawks declared the remainder of the season a playoff run and he woke up Sunday feeling positive about the team.
“I think that made it just crunch time for us,” Williams said. “We just understood the urgency of getting the job done.”
Geno Smith threw for 254 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception for Seattle. Murray threw for 285 yards, and tight end Trey McBride had 12 catches for 133 yards.
Seattle led 7-3 midway through the third quarter when Arizona went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Seahawks 40. Murray was flushed right, then threw the ball over defender Devon Witherspoon and his own receiver into the arms of Bryant, who dashed to the end zone for a 13-3 lead.
“I don’t think I’ve ever run that fast,” said Bryant, who finished the score with a dive into the end zone that resembled Marshawn Lynch's “Beast Mode” celebration. “I know I’m going to get fined, so hopefully Marshawn saw it.”
Murray drove the Cardinals to the Seattle 4 early in the fourth quarter, but Arizona settled for a 22-yard field goal by Chad Ryland. Arizona had converted 16 straight touchdowns in goal-to-go situations coming into the game. Ryland missed a field goal with about 40 seconds remaining that would have set up an onside kick try.
“Obviously, it's a hostile environment,” Murray said. “We just didn’t execute, did not execute at a high enough level to win that game.”
Smith-Njigba set up his touchdown when he took a pass on a shallow cross and sprinted downfield for a 46-yard gain to the Arizona 4. He scored two plays later on a 3-yard pass from Smith to the right side of the end zone, with a clear-out by DK Metcalf, for a 7-3 halftime lead.
It was the first touchdown allowed by the Cardinals' defense since the fourth quarter against Miami three weeks ago.
Arizona's James Conner, who entered with 697 yards rushing, was held to 8 yards on seven carries. It was Seattle's best defensive performance of the season under first-year coach Macdonald, who had lost his previous four home games.
“Coach was in his bag this week,” Witherspoon said.
“We were happy for the hot shower, I’m not gonna lie,” Witherspoon said. “Boy, it felt so good.”
Late in the first quarter, Williams appeared to complete a strip-sack of Murray that Tyrice Knight recovered and returned for a touchdown. A review determined Murray's arm was moving forward when Williams hit him, making it an incomplete pass.
Murray hit Michael Wilson for an apparent 7-yard TD midway through the second, but Paris Johnson Jr. was flagged for holding. Later in the drive, an apparent completion to Marvin Harrison Jr. in the left front corner of the end zone was overturned because officials determined that he only got one foot down. Arizona settled for a field goal on that drive.
Seahawks: G Anthony Bradford was helped off the field in the first quarter with an apparent leg injury.
Seahawks: At the New York Jets next Sunday.
How can I watch Cardinals vs. Seahawks?
- TV Channel: Cardinals at Seahawks 2021-22 NFL, week 12 is broadcasted nationally on FOX and NFL Sunday Ticket.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
In Canada, viewers can watch Cardinals vs. Seahawks on DAZN.
Scoring Summary
FG | 2nd Period 9:43 | Chad Ryland 35 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 2nd Period 1:14 | Jaxon Smith-Njigba 3 Yd pass from Geno Smith (Jason Myers Kick) | |
TD | 3rd Period 7:12 | Coby Bryant 69 Yd Interception Return (Jason Myers PAT Failed) | |
FG | 4th Period 10:08 | Chad Ryland 22 Yd Field Goal | |
FG | 4th Period 1:56 | Jason Myers 50 Yd Field Goal |
Statistics
ARI | SEA | |
---|---|---|
15 | 1st Downs | 17 |
15 | Passing 1st downs | 12 |
0 | Rushing 1st downs | 4 |
0 | 1st downs from penalties | 1 |
3-12 | 3rd down efficiency | 7-14 |
0-1 | 4th down efficiency | 0-0 |
56 | Total Plays | 61 |
298 | Total Yards | 285 |
5.3 | Yards per Play | 4.7 |
10 | Total Drives | 10 |
249 | Passing | 220 |
24/37 | Comp/Att | 22/31 |
5.9 | Yards per pass | 6.1 |
1 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
5-36 | Sacks-Yards Lost | 5-34 |
49 | Rushing | 65 |
14 | Rushing Attempts | 25 |
3.5 | Yards per rush | 2.6 |
0-2 | Red Zone (Made-Att) | 1-2 |
5-60 | Penalties | 5-51 |
1 | Turnovers | 1 |
0 | Fumbles lost | 0 |
1 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
0 | Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 1 |
26:47 | Possession | 33:13 |
Game Information
Location: Seattle, WA
Attendance: 68,649 · Capacity:
2024 NFC West Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | 9 | 6 | .600 | 0 | 329 | 347 |
Seattle | 8 | 7 | .533 | 0 | 339 | 340 |
Arizona | 7 | 8 | .467 | 0 | 344 | 342 |
San Francisco | 6 | 9 | .400 | 0 | 331 | 349 |
NFL News
Legendary Eagles LB Bill Bergey dies at 79 after cancer battle
Legendary Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey has died after a three-year cancer battle. He was 79.
With playoff destiny out of their hands, Seahawks try to stay in chase as they face struggling Bears
— Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks need a win to help keep their flickering playoff hopes from getting extinguished.
Steelers' Russell Wilson scores on 1-yard run
After being picked off in the end zone, the Steelers quarterback redeemed himself with a 1-yard touchdown run that cut the Chiefs' lead to 13-7.
Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes throws 2 TD passes early
Xavier Worthy's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the first TD resulted in a longer PAT try, which Harrison Butker missed.
2024 NFL Christmas games: Picks, schedule, predictions, odds
We have top storylines, bold predictions, game-plan keys and fantasy X factors for the Christmas games and Week 17's Thursday night matchup.