Studs and duds from Seahawks victory over Cardinals Week 18

The Seattle Seahawks ended the season on a positive note with a victory over the Cardinals 38-30. Arizona had a very good defense coming into the game yet Seattle had 431 total yards in Week 18 and averaged a whopping 7.6 yards per play.

Defensively, Seattle held Arizona to 305 total yards. While the Cardinals scored 30 points, 12 of them (not counting the extra points) were either scored directly by the defense (fumble recovery on Seattle’s first drive of the game) or set up one yard away (interception of Wilson in the third quarter that was returned to the Seattle one).

The Seahawks finished the season 7-10 and won four of their last six. Maybe this implies 2022 will be much better? Let’s hope.

Seattle Seahawks: Studs and duds from Week 18

Stud: Rashaad Penny

Just when I thought Penny could get no better, he does. And throw out all those bad arguments that Penny was only running well against bad defenses. The Cardinals are good yet Penny still ran for 190 yards, including a brilliant 62-yard touchdown run to put Seattle up 38-27 with 4:34 left and basically ended any drama to the outcome. Penny has gone from first round bust to must-sign this offseason and finished with 749 yards rushing this year.

Dud: Gerald Everett

Everett is a free agent this offseason and it would be nice to have him return but this should be said during contract negotiations. Seattle: “How do you think your client did this year?” Everett’s agent: “Great! He’s a great athlete and was third on the team in receptions!” Seattle: “Yeah, if he had only had 6 touchdown catches instead of just 4.” My point is, Everett has dropped two sure touchdown passes this year and did it again against the Cardinals.

Stud: Jordyn Brooks

Brooks had 20 tackles and 14 of them were solo ones. That’s incredible. Brooks also had 2 tackles for loss. He finished second in the NFL in tackles for the season with 184 and should be a Pro Bowler next season and possibly take the leadership mantel if Bobby Wagner leaves.

Dud: Quandre Diggs’ injury

Diggs has been the Seahawks most consistently good defensive player this year. His injury stinks for two huge reasons. It happened in the last game of the season putting Diggs’ 2022 season in doubt. And the injury complicates whether Seattle should re-sign him with the thinking he may not be available for most of next year.

Stud: Poona Ford

Ford finally showed that he can supply interior pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Against Arizona, Ford had 1.5 sacks and 2 quarterback hits to go along with 1 tackle for loss. Ford might be due a bit over $9 million in 2022 but he is worth it.