After the Cardinals quickly drove down the field for a touchdown on their opening drive, giving them more points than they had in their entire Week 12 loss in Seattle, the Seahawks defense knew it needed to respond.
And after the Seahawks scored a field goal on their opening drive to make it 7-3, the defense got back to doing what it has pretty regularly done since the bye week, which is make life incredibly difficult for opposing offenses.
After Jarran Reed split a double-team to draw a holding call and put Arizona in an obvious passing situation, linebacker Ernest Jones IV dropped into coverage on the ensuing play and picked off Kyler a pass intended for Marvin Harrison Jr. The Seahawks quickly capitalized, with Geno Smith hitting Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 19-yard touchdown on the next play, then two plays into Arizona's next possession, safety Coby Bryant intercepted Murray. The offense again took advantage, eventually finding the end zone on a Zach Charbonnet 1-yard touchdown run, and in the span of just a few plays, the Seahawks went from trailing by four points to leading 17-7.
There was still a lot of football to play after those two turnovers, but they put the Seahawks in control, and Seattle's lead was never smaller than seven points the rest of the game on the way to a 30-18 victory.
"I'm going to sound like a broken record, and this is the cliche of a lifetime, but it's true—the turnover margin is huge, and to do it in positive territory for our offense," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "What a great play by Jaxon and Geno on the sudden-change touchdown. We needed it. We had a slow start on defense and we made it right on defense to be able to affect the ball and put our offense in position to go get a couple scores."
As Macdonald noted, the turnovers were big not just because they got the ball away from the Cardinals, but also because in both cases, the offense turned short fields into touchdowns.
"That was huge," said Smith." We talk about that all the time. Mike talks about how we want to play as a team, and complementary football is the main thing. I thought just the way that we came out on offense right after they scored, got points, wanted to score a touchdown there, but ended up getting three. Then we go right back, defense goes out and gets a turnover. Then we go get seven, they get another turnover and we make it a two-score game. Those are the things that you need in order to gain momentum and to really close these games out down the stretch here."
Said Smith-Njigba, "That was huge for us. We want to turn those picks into touchdowns, and it was good execution."
Jones, who also had eight tackles in the game, putting him over the 100-tackle mark for a third straight year, said his first interception of the season was a pretty straightforward one.
"Dropped in my hook, and as soon as I turned around and looked for the ball, it was there," Jones said. "It kind of caught me off guard, but I'm glad I caught it this time instead of dropping it like I did in the Rams game."
He added he was a bit surprised the ball came to him the way it did, noting, "It was kind of right to me."
But while Jones downplayed his role in making the turnover happen, Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon explained that Jones actually made a pretty impressive play to be in the right spot.
"I honestly thought the first (interception), 13 made a really good play," Gannon said. "That's where the ball should have went, and he kind of read his eyes and rocked back out of it. He was playing the strong side and came back to the weak. That was good play, so give credit to them."
The second interception in the game, and Bryant's third this season, was an important play not just because of the interception, but because he prevented a potential big play by the Cardinals due to a coverage bust.
"He saved our tail on that one,' Macdonald said. "We had a coverage bust actually on that one, so having a post safety that can erase some things is huge. You need those guys, so he's playing at a high level right now and we're communicating really well and really happy for Coby because he's worked extremely hard to prepare himself and really master what we're asking him to do. He's doing a great job."
Bryant also had an interception in Seattle's Week 12 win over the Cardinals, returning it 69 yards for a touchdown on his way to NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, and since taking over a starting job in Week 7, Bryant has three interceptions, five passes defensed, and a forced fumble in seven starts.
Of his interception, Bryant explained, "I was just in the middle of the field, seen the over (route) and I just took my shot. He just happened to throw it, so you've got to take advantage of your opportunities."
And with those two turnovers, as well as the offense's ability to capitalize on them, the Seahawks seized control of the game, while also taking another important step towards their goal of winning an NFC West title.
"We're playing how we're supposed to," Bryant said. "We've just got to keep going, we've got a big one next week, and just keep playing our style of football."
The Seahawks pulled off another road victory to extend their win streak to four games after beating the Arizona Cardinals for the second time this season. Check out some of the best scenes from the team's postgame celebration.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and guard Laken Tomlinson (70) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and guard Laken Tomlinson (70) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde and tackle Charles Cross (67) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) and defensive coordinator Aden Durde celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
