Sloppy Seattle Seahawks Top Arizona Cardinals Thanks to Defense, Rookie WRs
On a day where the Seattle Seahawks committed three turnovers and scored just six points in the second half, they leaned on their youth and defense to secure a much-needed 20-10 divisional win over the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Sunday.
The Seahawks (4-2) got two first-half touchdown grabs from rookie receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo, which proved to be the difference in a second half that featured just six combined points from both teams. Smith-Njigba finished as the game's leading receiver with four grabs for 63 yards, while Bobo finished right behind him with 61 yards on four catches as well.
Second-year running back Kenneth Walker helped steady the offense with 26 rushes for a season-high 105 yards in a second half that saw Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith struggle. It certainly wasn't pretty for him, as another red-zone interception from Smith and a lost fumble on a bobbled snap on back-to-back possessions in the second half gave the Cardinals (1-6) a chance to stay in it.
But Arizona quarterback Joshua Dobbs was unable to help the offense capitalize on these takeaways. He finished 19 of 33 for 146 yards and was sacked four times. He added seven carries for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Lumen Field.
© Steven Bisig, USA TODAY
The difference in a potential loss for Seattle would've been the three turnovers - which also included a fumble on an early punt return from DeeJay Dallas - but the Cardinals only scored three points off these takeaways. The Seattle defense made up for the offense's lack of consistency by shutting out Arizona in the second half. After the Cardinals took a 10-7 lead on a 25-yard touchdown run from Dobbs in the second quarter, Arizona would go scoreless the rest of the way while giving up 13 unanswered.
Seattle's defense - despite its own mistakes, which included some untimely penalties - came up big when it mattered most. Down 17-10 with 5:04 left in the game, the Cardinals went for it on fourth down at the Seattle 49-yard line, but were stopped well short. The Seahawks got the ball back and were able to run out some clock before a field goal from Jason Myers near the two-minute warning gave Seattle a comfortable 20-10 lead.
The Seahawks then sacked Dobbs twice on Arizona's final possession to seal the win.
Seattle will now look to Week 8's home meeting with the Cleveland Browns (4-2) on Sunday.
