A quarterback exchange on the sideline set the tone for a Seattle team enjoying itself. As the injured starter offered encouraging pats to his replacements, the group shared a moment of levity. This lighthearted atmosphere has become a staple of recent Seahawks outings, even extending to a backup linebacker making a crucial play on a kickoff.
However, a more serious inquiry persists regarding the team's offense: how does Jaxon Smith-Njigba consistently create separation for significant yardage? The Arizona Cardinals received a stark answer to that question.
Smith-Njigba secured a personal best of three touchdown receptions from Drew Lock, finishing with nine catches for 155 yards. Following a post route that left Arizona safety Budda Baker behind for a score that pushed Seattle to a 24-7 lead with 12:40 remaining, Smith-Njigba leaped over a Cardinals sign board behind the end zone. He then approached a fan wearing a Marshawn Lynch jersey and handed over the football.
Coupled with the pivotal special teams play by a backup linebacker, the Seahawks transformed a 7-7 stalemate early in the third quarter into a 31-7 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium. The venue again appeared nearly half filled with visiting fans.
The Seahawks (2-0) established a franchise record by securing a 12th consecutive victory, including three wins leading up to the Super Bowl in February.
Historically, since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, clubs starting a season at 2-0 reach the postseason approximately 67% of the time.
This marked the tenth consecutive time Seattle has defeated Arizona. It represents the first instance of the team defeating a division rival ten straight times since the 2005-09 period, when Mike Holmgren's first Seattle Super Bowl team began its series of victories over the St. Louis Rams.
The sole negative aspect surrounding the Seahawks' success in the Valley of the Sun involved an injury to rookie first-round draft choice Jadarian Price.
The new lead running back was receiving more consistent carries than he did in Seattle's opener on Sept. 9 against New England. He carried on consecutive plays on the second drive of the game. That did not happen until deep in the first half, and only twice in 50 offensive plays, against the Patriots.
On Sunday, Price ran 13 times for 52 yards, with a 25-yard romp to set up the go-ahead touchdown early in the third quarter. However, Price exited the game early in the fourth quarter. He walked without his shoulder pads off the field into a tunnel at the opposite end of the stadium from Seattle's locker room. This was presumably for X-rays in the stadium's room for it.
The team reported that Price sustained a chest injury.
Emanuel Wilson took Price's place. Wilson, signed this offseason from Green Bay, accumulated 92 yards on 21 carries.
Smith-Njigba recorded 155 yards on nine catches with three touchdowns. It was his 15th career game with at least 100 yards receiving. Fourteen of those 15 have come since the start of last season.
Lock completed 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards, the three TD throws and three passes dropped two by Rashid Shaheed and one by Smith-Njigba. Lock again did what he said this past week is his key with the defense these Seahawks have: He committed zero turnovers, just as in the opener he played the final 3 1/2 quarters of, after Darnold strained his glute.
The Seattle Seahawks secured their second consecutive victory by leveraging a defensive performance that effectively neutralized the opposing offense, resulting in a game where the quarterback was held without an interception.
The only turnover recorded by the Seahawks during the contest was a first-half fumble by the starting quarterback. This marked the first time Seattle had lost possession in five games, a streak dating back to a match against the Carolina Panthers on December 28. During that same period of perfect ball security, the team advanced through the postseason to capture the Super Bowl title in February.
Early Momentum and Scoring Sequences
The Seahawks demonstrated immediate offensive speed, executing a key play on their second possession of the game. The wide receiver utilized a head-and-shoulder fake reminiscent of a former teammate’s technique to deceive the Arizona cornerback. The defender, a high-caliber player for the Cardinals, was drawn out of the play approximately five yards before the receiver broke free past the safety, a former star from Washington State and Bellevue High School. This sequence allowed the quarterback to throw an 82-yard touchdown pass, resulting in a score for the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Despite this early advantage, Seattle did not add to their lead until the third quarter. The Cardinals managed to tie the game on the first snap of the second quarter from a fourth-and-goal situation at the two-yard line. The Arizona quarterback identified his tight end, the team’s primary offensive threat, isolated against a smaller Seahawks cornerback. The tight end executed a simple out route across the goal line, preventing the defender from dislodging him from behind, resulting in a touchdown that equalized the score.
The Cardinals pressed for the lead later in the half when the Seahawks quarterback fumbled while running left in a pile near the Arizona 45-yard line. The Cardinals recovered the ball but were thwarted on their subsequent drive by a Seahawks linebacker who dropped the Cardinals’ rookie third-round draft pick for a three-yard loss. This defensive stand, following a strategic adjustment, kept the game level at halftime.
Defensive Pivots and Lineup Changes
A crucial defensive play occurred after the halftime break. The Seahawks’ return specialist fumbled the kickoff as he attempted to advance the ball. The loose ball landed near an Arizona player, threatening a turnover near the Seattle 30-yard line. However, the backup linebacker recognized the opportunity, ran to the spot, and used his body to shield the Cardinals player. He secured the ball and advanced it 35 yards into Arizona territory, providing Seattle with a favorable starting field position.
This defensive contribution, combined with a 25-yard run by the quarterback, set up the Seahawks’ second touchdown. The quarterback completed a seven-yard pass to the wide receiver on third down, extending Seattle’s lead to 14-7.
The game also featured lineup changes at the offensive line. Christian Haynes, a 2024 draft selection, made his first career start due to knee and hip injuries that sidelined the four-year starting right guard. With 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter, rookie Beau Stephens entered the game, marking his NFL debut. Stephens and Haynes alternated, each playing roughly two series on and two off for the remainder of the contest.
On Stephens’ first series, the quarterback and the running back combined to secure three first downs. The new offensive coordinator emphasized the running game, calling rushing plays on nine of Seattle’s first 15 possessions. Later, on a third-and-long from midfield, the quarterback escaped pressure partly caused by the rookie’s positioning. Although he made a strong throw, the intended receiver dropped the pass inside the Arizona 30-yard line, costing Seattle a first down and potential points. Nevertheless, the Seahawks’ top-ranked defense continued to control field position, keeping the game in their favor.
Julian Love stepped in front of Trey McBride’s pass over the middle, forcing the Seahawks into another quick three-and-out. A subsequent punt launched from Arizona’s end zone landed in Rashid Shaheed’s hands, giving Seattle a favorable starting point. A late hit on Shaheed well beyond the sideline brought a 15-yard personal foul, pushing the Seahawks’ opening drive to Arizona’s 31-yard line.
That sequence illustrates how tightly contested contests often shift in favor of the team that capitalizes on small advantages.
A fourth-down misstep proved costly, however. Jahan Dotson andTyler Lockett each secured key catches to move the chains, setting up first-and-goal at the 6-yard line. Seattle opted for a power-running approach, calling seven consecutive runs. With the ball on the 1-yard line for fourth-down, offensive coordinator Shane Steichen deployed seven linemen, placing backup tackle Josh Jones at the line’s edge. Center Olu Oluwatimi lined up in fullback position behind starting quarterback Geno Smith, ahead of short-yardage specialist Emanuel Wilson, who joined the squad after stints with Green Bay.
The call unfolded as expected: a dive up the middle by Wilson. He attempted to redirect off Oluwatimi’s initial block, but the center got knocked backward in the trench. Arizona defenders, including safety Andrew Wingard, swarmed Wilson, sending him down for a 1-yard loss. The result: turnover on downs, halting Seattle’s momentum just inside the red zone.