FINAL: Seattle Seahawks Hold on in 21-20 Win vs. Arizona Cardinals
It's gameday as the Seattle Seahawks are set to face off with the Arizona Cardinals in what could be their final game of the season.
As things currently stand in the NFC playoff picture, the Seahawks are on the outside looking in at the No. 8 seed. Not only does Seattle need a win in its regular season finale to secure a ticket to the postseason, but the team needs help from the Chicago Bears, who face the Green Bay Packers.
With a Bears upset over the Packers and a win or tie for the Seahawks, Seattle will find itself in the postseason for the 11th time in just 14 seasons under coach Pete Carroll. Yet, as the Philadelphia Eagles recently found out, beating the 4-12 Cardinals is easier said than done.
Jan 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
After trailing 21-6 at halftime, the Cardinals managed to pull off the upset over the once high-flying Eagles. The Cardinals scored 14 unanswered in the third quarter to get back to even with the Eagles before riding a 14-point fourth quarter to victory as now fully-healthy starting quarterback Kyler Murray helped lead a game-winning drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run for James Conner.
The Seahawks are fresh off the disappointment of their 30-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a game where they were gashed on the ground. Pittsburgh dealt body blows through its physical run game, totaling 202 yards rushing and three touchdowns as they attacked the Seahawks' poor run defense. After two straight wins where the Seahawks pulled off fourth-quarter comebacks, the Steelers proved to be too much for Seattle to make it three straight wins.
With a chance at making the playoffs still alive, the Seahawks will look to do their part by defeating their NFC West rival, the Cardinals.
WHAT: Seattle Seahawks (8-8, 3-5 Road) at Arizona Cardinals (4-12, 2-5 Home)
WHERE: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ (65,000)
WHEN: Sunday, Jan 7, 2024, 1:25 p.m. PT
TELEVISION: FOX | FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: KIRO-FM Newsradio 97.3 | Seattle Sports 710 AM
TICKETS: SI Tickets
BETTING: SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Seahawks -2.5
TOTAL: 47.5
MONEYLINE: Seahawks -150, Cardinals +125
First Quarter
The Seahawks' defense forced a stop after just eight plays as Kyler Murray's pass to Trey McBride on third-and-15 fell incomplete.
Change of Possession
The Seahawks take an early lead with a 33-yard field goal from Jason Meyers that capped off a promising 11-play drive that stalled at the Cardinals' 15-yard line where Smith couldn't connect with DK Metcalf on third down.
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 3, Cardinals 0
Change of Possession
The Seahawks' defense followed it up by making quick work of the Cardinals' offense as they forced another punt, this time after a three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Seahawks are also forced to punt, this time after six plays. Smith completed just two of his five passes on the drive before the punt.
Change of Possession
Second Quarter
The Cardinals were able to answer the Seattle field goal with one of their own as a 33-yard scramble from Kyler Murray helped set up the successful 23-yard attempt from Matt Prater.
FIELD GOAL CARDINALS
Seahawks 3, Cardinals 3
Change of Possession
The Seahawks have retaken the lead after a quick seven-play drive where Geno Smith completed both of his passes for 56 yards, which included his 19-yard strike to Will Dissly.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 10, Cardinals 3
Change of Possession
The Cardinals put together another long drive as they went 59 yards in 10 plays before settling for another field goal as Murray's third-down pass to Rondale Moore was held short of the sticks.
FIELD GOAL CARDINALS
Seahawks 10, Cardinals 6
Change of Possession
The Seahawks are able to add to their lead with a late field goal right before half following a 21-yard scramble Geno Smith set up the the 29-yard attempt from Jason Meyers.
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 13, Cardinals 6
Third Quarter
The Seahawks found one first down before being forced to punt on the new set of downs.
Change of Possession
The Cardinals scored in just four plays as Murray found two straight big plays through the air before James Conner capped off the drive with a 29-yard rushing touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN CARDINALS
Seahawks 13, Cardinals 13
Change of Possession
The Seahawks were forced to punt again this time after just six plays.
Change of Possession
The Seahawks defense responded by forcing a punt of their own after just a six-play drive from the Cardinals.
Fourth Quarter
Change of Possession
The Seahawks went three-and-out as Smith couldn't find Lockett on third-down.
Change of Possession
The Cardinals took the lead as Kyler Murray found Trey McBride for a six-yard passing touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN CARDINALS
Cardinals 20, Seahawks 13
Change of Possession
The Seahawks go three-and-out as an original 15-yard reception for DK Metcalf was overturned into an incomplete.
Change of Possession
The Seahawks defense got the hold they desperately needed as Prater's 43-yard field goal was pushed wide right.
Change of Possession
The Seahawks offense strikes quickly as Smith led them down the field in just four plays before finding Tyler Lockett for a 34-yard touchdown pass. Instead of playing for the tie, the Seahawks went for two as Smith found Lockett again, this time for the two-point conversion.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 21, Cardinals 20
Change of Possession
After a nine-play drive that saw Cardinals reach the Seattle 33-yard line. Prater's 51-yard field goal attempt was pushed wide right again.
FINAL: Seahawks 21, Cardinals 20
