Eye On the Hawks - Seahawks at Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks team photographer Rod Mar continues his Eye On the Hawks series you to the desert in Arizona for the game with the Cardinals.
The Seahawks' trip to Arizona began on a rainy day in Seattle. Earl Thomas, sporting new shoes he received as a gift from teammate Kam Chancellor, makes his way to the bus for the ride to the airport.
Rain never stops the 12's, and these intrepid fans braved the rain to see their team off to the desert.
Receiver Ricardo Lockette cut a sharp figure as he walked across the tarmac at SeaTac airport on his way to board the team's Delta charter.
Oh, what flying three hours south does for the climate. Quarterback Russell Wilson walks across a very dry tarmac upon arrival at in Phoenix, where the temperature was near 60 degrees.
The clock in the stadium still hasn't begun ticking down from 90 minutes, but quarterback Russell Wilson was already on the field making his early throws before the game.
On Sunday, lnebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr. is surrounded by his players including (from left) Bobby Wagner, Mike Morgan, Allen Bradford and Malcolm Smith as they share a laugh on the field during early warmups.
In the Seahawks locker room, tight end Cooper Helfet was deep in thought and listening to his pregame music.
!2's were everywhere at University of Phoenix Stadium, making themselves seen and heard.
Quarterback Russell Wilson makes the walk from locker room to field, accompanied by a live television camera.
Richard Sherman leads the return specialists ouf of the tunnel for pregame warmups.
Kam Chancellor and Bruce Irvin get fired up on the field before kickoff.
Fullback Will Tukuafu has his game face on as kickoff nears.
Safety Earl Thomas, so instrumental in team's philosophy of "Love Our Brothers", hugs teammate Kevin Williams in the moments before kickoff.
Gloves, helmet, bracelet. Ready.
Quarterback Russell Wilson kept Arizona's defensive pressure at bay, repeatedly escaping blitzes and moving the chains. Wilson accounted for 427 yards of offense in the victory.
Seattle's defense was dominant once again, with K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner and Richard Sherman teaming up to make a tackle on Arizona's Stepfan Taylor.
The big screen at University of Phoenix Stadium sets the scene with the Cardinals backed up deep in their own territory in the first half.
Tight end Luke Willson takes a peek at the big screen to see how close Arizona's pursuers are to him as he races to an 80-yard touchdown for Seattle's first touchdown.
Luke Willson celebrates his 80-yard touchdown with teammates Russell Wilson and Cooper Helfet.
Richard Sherman was on a clear path to block a punt by Arizona's Drew Butler in the first half, but a last-minute block in the back slowed down Sherman's progress and while the punt was not blocked a penalty flag on the play was also picked up.
Head coach Pete Carroll congratulates Russell Wilson after Wilson's 80-yard touchdown pass to Luke Willson in the second quarter.
Defensive end O'Brien Schofield came through untouched to sack Arizona's Ryan Lindley for a loss. The Seahawks recorded four sacks on the day.
Seahawks fans were in the holiday spirit and their team responded by gift-wrapping a 35-6 victory over the Cardinals.
Receiver Doug Baldwin puts a stiff-arm to the face of Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson near the end of a 49-yard reception. Baldwin's seven catches led all receivers.
Richard Sherman raced down the sideline to celebrate with Baldwin after the long catch.
Seattle's K.J. Wright and Earl Thomas combine to put the squeeze on Arizona tight end John Carlson.
Seattle's Luke Willson hauls in a 20-yard touchdown reception, his second of the game, on a seam route in the fourth quarter, his second touchdown of the game.
Seahawks fans rejoiced after Willson's touchdown gave Seattle a 21-6 lead, much to the chagrin of the Cardinals fan at left.
This is how history starts. A simple handoff to the left side, and just the hint of a hole for Marshawn Lynch to run through.
Key blocks by the offensive line, a seal block by Ricardo Lockette on the safety, and Marshawn Lynch bursts into daylight.
With open running room to the right, Lynch races ahead, challenged by Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Lynch decides to engage Peterson, and uses his left hand to push the defender away as he cuts back.
Please get out of my way, I need to run to the end zone.
That's Patrick Peterson at the left edge of the frame, shoved out by Marshawn Lynch and helped by receiver Ricardo Lockette as he races upfield.
With open field ahead, Lynch heads for the end zone pursued by a trio of Arizona defenders.
A quick lean to the left to keep the defenders off balance and it's off to the end zone for Marshawn Lynch as he finishes off an amazing 79-yard touchdown run.
Marshawn Lynch celebrates in the end zone joined by guard Justin Britt, and also Earl Thomas who sprinted 40-yards off the Seahawks sideline to congratulate his teammate.
The Seahawks were not finished, however, as Richard Sherman intercepted a Ryan Lindley pass to put an exclamation point on the victory.
Richard Sherman celebrates on the sidelines and salutes the Seahawks fans behind the team's bench after his interception with teammates DeShawn Shead, Tharold Simon and Jeron Johnson.
After the game, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson met with Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald at midfield.
Rowdy 12's packed the area behind the Sunday Night Football set after the game and made their presence known on national television once again.
In the happy Seahawks locker room, head coach Pete Carroll congratulated his team. In the background, safety Kam Chancellor lets out a yell.
A very happy Richard Sherman headed to the stands where he greeted happy Seahawks fans on his way to the locker room.
