Seahawks lose to Cardinals by inches after great comeback effort

The Seahawks needed the win today. The way the game started, you’d think they had nothing to play for but an early start on New Year’s Eve.

Unbelievably, Drew Stanton started off the game six for six on the Cardinals opening drive. It’s a bit easier to believe that Larry Fitzgerald accounted for four of those catches. Kerwynn Williams (yeah, the third-stringer) did his best Terry Metcalf impersonation against the Seahawks. Worst of all, Drew Stanton did his Russell Wilson impersonation as he got away from Michael Bennett to toss a 25 yard touchdown pass to Jaron Brown. 7-0, Cardinals.

That unfortunate score lasted for all of 10 seconds. Tyler Lockett took the kickoff 99 yards for the Seahawks first kickoff return since 2015. 7-7, Seahawks. It was so pretty, you need to see it again.

The Cardinals next drive stalled, but the ageless Len Dawson kicked a 49 yard field goal. Yeah, I know it’s Phil, but I think he started his career the same time as Lenny. 10-7, Cardinals.

At this point the Seahawks offense was extremely offensive. And not in the good way. Seattle couldn’t run, and Wilson couldn’t connect with his targets. The first quarter ended with the Cardinals averaging 7.5 yards on first down.

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Second quarter continues the Seahawks horror show

The second quarter started just like the first drive for the Cardinals. Arizona drove the field as Seattle got little pressure on Stanton, and allowed running lanes as big as I-5. Kerwin Williams and Larry Fitzgerald were the mainstays on the drive, but Elijhaa Penney took the rock in to extend the Cardinals lead. 17-7, Cardinals. At this point there is virtually no sign of the Seahawks offense.

Russell Wilson had a classic Wilson scramble. Too bad it was called back for holding. Although he was 4 -6 at this point, he’d only really been on target on one pass, as he consistently threw the ball into the turf. No run game and Russell way off target is not a recipe for a win.

Russell Wilson played about as badly as he ever has in this half

Cardinals ball with just under six minutes to go in the first half. The Cardinals stalled again, as the Seahawks defense started to finally shut down the run. It made no difference, as Russell Wilson continued his worst effort of the year. On his worst play (so far) on third and two, Arizona rushed four, and that was enough to keep Wilson from finding a single one of the approximately 33 open receivers.

The Cardinals can’t move the ball. That would be great news, except that it meant the Seahawks got the ball back on offense. How bad was this half? Wilson closed it with this series. He was sacked for a 13 yard loss and fumbled, recovered by Arizona. Luckily there were offsetting penalties, so it was still Seahawks ball and first down. Russell then threw a dead duck to Paul Richardson, incomplete. Wilson was then sacked again, and fumbled again. This time the Seahawks recovered. Mercifully, the half was over. How ugly was it? This ugly:

The second half is all about a new start

Amazingly, the Seahawks had more yards on their first drive of the second half than they did in the entire first half. Well, three times as many yards, as they drove 80 yards down to pull within one touchdown. As bad as Wilson looked in the first half, on this drive he looked like – well, like Russell Wilson. The drive was highlighted by a fourth down conversion, Wilson to Graham. Then a beautiful touchdown strike to a wide open Doug Baldwin. 20-14, Cardinals.

Then just two plays later, it was Shaq Griffin time.

It was a great play, but unfortunately the Seahawks did nothing with the turnover. Jon Ryan, on about his 20th punt of the day, finally hit a bad kick to give the ball to the Cardinals at their own 46.  Actually it was his sixth punt, which is of course far too many.

The Cardinals picked up one first down, which considering their starting field position meant it was Phil Dawson time again. Dawson hit from 53 yards out. 23-14, Cardinals.

Seahawks pick up a first down on a huge run by Mike Davis. His 33 yard scamper/rumble (it’s the only way I can describe this run) featured two blocks by Russell Wilson. Sadly, Thomas Rawls was flagged for taunting after a 12 yard catch. Of course it took Seattle out of field goal range. Mr. Ryan punted for the 237th time.

Fourth quarter started great for the Seahawks

The Cardinals did nothing, though, as Drew Stanton continued to remember he was Drew Stanton. After his seven for seven start, he was just 7-21. The Seahawks drive down, thanks to two fine plays by J.D. McKissic. Then it’s the Wilson to Willson connection – except it wasn’t, as Russell underthrew Luke a bit. Luke – sorry, Crypto – had the ball in his hands, but as he put one hand down on the turf to pop back up and take it the last three yards into the end zone, he dropped the ball.

Field goal time. Yes, I know you were nervous, 12s. Blair Walsh hit from 49 yards, though, as if he’d been doing it all his life. And he has, other than that one game. Seahawks back within a touchdown, 23-17 Cardinals.

The Cardinals can do nothing, other than accept a cheap penalty for roughing the passer on Frank Clark. He barely touched Stanton. But, he did touch him. Have to play smarter than that. Cardinals punt and Tyler Lockett  returns for 27 yards. On the next play, Russell Wilson fakes a hand-off to Mike Davis and follows Luke Willson on a beautiful 31 yard run. The Seahawks cap off their two play 47 second drive with a 29 yard strike to Doug Baldwin. Did I mention it was a beautiful catch?

Baldwin beat Patrick Peterson on the play. The only way you beat that guy is by practicing against the Legion of Boom every day. 24 -23, Seahawks.

For what seemed to be the sixth time in the second half, the Cardinals went three and out. That was largely due to Frank Clark getting in Drew Stanton’s facemask, just not literally. Seahawks take over at 35 with 9:23 to go in the game. Two runs by Mike Davis net zero yards. Seattle plays it safe and dumps a short pass to Amara Darboh. Time for the hardest working man in show business, Jon Ryan.

So close, so very close

On the Cardinals first play, Dion Jordan forces a fumble by Stanton. Sadly, it’s recovered by Arizona. That was one of the few positive plays for the Cardinals in the fourth quarter.  The LOB shuts the door on Arizona on the next two plays. Or would have, if Bobby Wagner hadn’t popped Stanton late. Bobby, you’re the Man of the Year. You can’t do that.  Arizona finally mounted a good drive after the unintentional CPR from Wagner. The Cardinals drove to the Seattle 24 yard line. Of course, the oldest man in the league (if not the world) Phil Dawson hits the 42 yard field goal. That’s his fourth field goal of the game, and the shortest. 26-24, Cardinals.

Seahawks ball with just over 2 minutes to go. Doug Baldwin catches one for 23 yards. Paul Richardson then drops the next. That was cool, because Wilson hit Jimmy Graham for 31 yards. Seahawks ball at the Cardinals 31 yard line at the two minute warning. Mike Davis gains one yard on first down. One incomplete pass, then another Mike Davis run gains nothing. It’s all up to Blair Walsh.

And he misses the 48 yarder, of course. Walsh needs to make that kick, of course. But when you have the best running quarterback in the league – and he already ran for 36 yards in this game – how do you go ultra-conservative? Coming into today, Walsh had made just seven of ten kicks between the 40 and 50.

The Falcons had already won, so this game meant nothing for the playoffs. For pride, it meant mountains. Bruce Arians talked smack and the Cardinals backed him up. The Seahawks miss out on 10 wins. Well, at least one good thing came out of this. No way Darrell Bevell is back for 2018.