Seahawks Edge Cardinals in Thrilling Thursday Night Divisional Clash
In a tense NFC West showdown, the Seattle Seahawks managed to hold off the Arizona Cardinals 23-20 on Thursday night, improving their record to an impressive 3-1 while dropping their rivals to 2-2. What began as a defensive struggle transformed into a fourth-quarter nail-biter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final seconds. For much of the game, both offenses struggled to find rhythm against determined defensive units, with the Seahawks building a comfortable 14-3 halftime lead thanks to a 16-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to tight end A.J. Barner and a goal-line plunge from Zach Charbonnet. The Seahawks appeared to be in control, with Darnold efficiently managing the game and Kenneth Walker III grinding out tough yards on the ground.
The fourth quarter, however, brought this divisional contest to life. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who had struggled with consistency all night, finally found his groove when it mattered most. In a moment of trust between quarterback and rookie receiver, Murray connected with first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. for a spectacular touchdown over Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, bringing the Cardinals within striking distance. When Seattle’s Jason Myers missed a 53-yard field goal attempt that would have sealed the victory, the door remained open for Arizona. Murray seized the opportunity, orchestrating a masterful 12-play, 57-yard drive that culminated in Emari Demercado catching a wide-open touchdown pass to tie the game at 20-20 with just 28 seconds remaining.
What happened next showcased how small moments can dramatically alter the outcome of NFL games. Arizona kicker Chad Ryland committed a critical error on the ensuing kickoff, failing to place the ball in the designated landing zone between the goal line and 20-yard line. This special teams blunder gifted the Seahawks excellent field position at their own 40-yard line with precious seconds still on the clock. Darnold immediately capitalized, finding Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a crucial 22-yard gain that positioned Seattle in field goal range. Myers, given redemption after his earlier miss, calmly converted the 52-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, sending the Seahawks sideline into celebration.
The statistical breakdown reveals a game that was more competitive than the early flow suggested. Darnold delivered an efficient performance for Seattle, completing 18 of 26 passes for 242 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Smith-Njigba proved to be a difference-maker, recording 79 yards on just four receptions, including critical catches in clutch moments. The Seahawks’ ground game was anchored by Kenneth Walker III, who accumulated 81 yards on 19 carries, complemented by Charbonnet’s 39 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts. This balanced offensive attack ultimately gave Seattle just enough firepower to overcome their division rivals.
For Arizona, the evening represented a tale of missed opportunities and late-game heroics that fell just short. Murray finished with respectable numbers—27 completions on 41 attempts for two touchdowns—but his two interceptions proved costly, even though one was fortuitously returned to the Cardinals after Seattle’s Cobe Bryant collided with a teammate during the return. Harrison Jr. overcame early struggles to lead the Cardinals with 66 receiving yards on six catches, while Trey Benson, thrust into the primary running back role following James Conner’s season-ending foot injury, managed 35 yards on eight carries and added five receptions. The Cardinals showed resilience in battling back from a double-digit deficit, but ultimately couldn’t overcome their early offensive struggles.
This early-season divisional matchup carries significant implications for the NFC West landscape. The Seahawks, now sitting atop the division at 3-1, have established themselves as serious contenders under the steady leadership of Darnold and a defense that has shown the ability to make critical stops when needed. The Cardinals, meanwhile, demonstrated both their potential and their growing pains with the Murray-Harrison connection showing flashes of brilliance that Cardinals fans hope will develop into consistent production as the season progresses. As both teams look ahead, this tightly contested Thursday night battle may prove to be a pivotal moment in their respective seasons—a game where the smallest details, from missed field goals to errant kickoffs, ultimately determined the outcome in a division where every victory is precious.
