GLENDALE, Ariz.—With the Seahawks trying to bleed out the clock and possibly add to their lead, they faced third-and-three late in the fourth quarter. Rather than call a pass play, the Seahawks did what they had done so often in the game and put the ball in the hands of Zach Charbonnet, who plunged forward for an 11-yard gain. It was one final emphatic run on a day in which the Seahawks finally found their running game, using it to set the tone for a big NFC West victory.
After burning more clock, the Seahawks eventually kicked a field goal to put the finishing touch on a 30-18 win over the Cardinals.
The win, Seattle's fourth in a row since their bye week, improved the Seahawks' record to 8-5 and keeps them in first place in the division with four games left to play.
Here are five rapid reactions to Sunday's win over the Cardinals:
- The Seahawks finally got the run game going, with Zach Charbonnet leading the way with a big day.
The Seahawks rushed for only 84 yards in last week's win over the Jets, hardly a big day on the ground, but even in that modest production, they saw progress, as offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb pointed out earlier this week, saying it was "probably our best week as far working the football inside the B gaps and getting physical on some of those double teams."
The Seahawks hoped to build off of that progress, but came into Sunday's game minus leading rusher Kenneth Walker III. Even with their top back sidelined, though, the Seahawks were able to run the ball as well as they have all season.
With Charbonnet leading the way, the Seahawks pounded out a season-best 176 rushing yards, including 121 in the first half alone. That first half total on its own was more than the Seahawks ran for in 10 of their 12 games this season, and was more than they had rushed for in a game since rushing for 133 in Week 4 against Detroit.
Making his third start this season, Charbonnet had the best game of his career, rushing for 134 yards on 22 carries, including a 51-yard touchdown run and a 1-yard touchdown run, and he also added 59 receiving yards on seven catches. His rushing total was the best by a Seahawks back since Walker had 167 yards against the Chargers in Week 7 of the 2022 season.
Kenny McIntosh also ran well in his limited opportunities, gaining 38 yards on seven carries.
- A pair of first-quarter interceptions made all the difference.
After not scoring a touchdown in their first game against the Seahawks, the Cardinals were able to find the end zone quickly this time, going 70 yards on six plays on their opening drive.
But after allowing that early score, the Seahawks defense came up with two game-changing plays on consecutive possessions. First, Ernest Jones IV came up with an interception, his first as a Seahawk, and returned it to the Arizona 19, giving the offense a short field it converted to a touchdown on the next play, with Geno Smith hitting Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown.
On Arizona's next possession, it was Coby Bryant intercepting a pass, his third pick this season and second against the Cardinals, giving the Seahawks good field possession that the offense would once again turn into seven points.
With those two turnovers and the touchdowns that resulted from them, the Seahawks took control of the game and led by at least seven points the rest of the way.
- Another week, another strong performance from Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
It has become the norm for the second-year receiver at this point, but Smith-Njigba put together yet another standout performance to help lead the way for Seattle's offense. Smith-Njigba led the Seahawks with 82 receiving yards on five catches, including a 19-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He also made one of the plays of the game, snagging a low pass inches off the ground to gain 24-yards on third-and-10, keeping alive the drive that ended with Charbonnet's 51-yard touchdown run.
Smith-Njigba saw his production pick up when DK Metcalf was sidelined by a knee injury, and he hasn't really let up since Metcalf returned. In his last six games, the second-year receiver now has 38 catches for 592 yards and four scores.
- Take a bow, offensive line.
Seattle's offensive line has faced plenty of scrutiny this season, some of it deserved, some of it not, but that unit deserves a lot of praise for how it played in Sunday's win.
The Seahawks not only rushed for a season-best 176 yards, the line also gave Geno Smith great protection on what was an efficient day for Seattle's quarterback, who went 24 for 30 for 233 yards, one touchdown and a 110.1 passer rating. Smith was not sacked in the game, a first this season, and the Cardinals recorded just two quarterback hits in the game.
- Apparently Michael Dickson's back was OK.
There was uncertainty heading into Sunday's game if punter Michael Dickson would be available to play in the game. Dickson, who was unable to punt late in last week's win over the Jets due to back spasms, was listed as questionable on the injury report and the Seahawks added a punter, Ty Zentner, to the practice squad and elevated him for the game just to be safe.
In the end, Dickson was not only able to play, but to have a very strong performance, averaging 53.0 yards on five punts, with four of them pinning the Cardinals inside the 20, including a 48-yard punt that went out of bounds at the 2-yard line.
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) and Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51), Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks free safety Coby Bryant (8) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) and Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) at the Week 14 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
