Arizona Cardinals (6-7) – Seattle Seahawls (8-5): 18-30
Arizona and Seattle had everything to gain and everything to lose in a divisional duel at the top. And in this little game it was the Washington state franchise which showed the most passion and application to give a turning point to its season. After this victory, the Seahawks are now at a 62% chance of winning the division according to some models.
Seattle built its neo-victory once again in the trenches. Geno Smith and Zach Charbonnet (22 races, 134 yards, 2 touchdowns), orphans of the injured Kenneth Walker, benefited from the work of the offensive line. The defense sealed the game in the first quarter in 3 games. Trey McBride (7 receptions, 70 yards) has still not scored but his performance is remarkable in the slump of his team.
The Seahawks go fishing for ducks
Little lame ducks, really lame. That's all that represented an Arizona team that was once again undisciplined, ill-inspired and injured. Like punter Blake Gillikin who left his teammates in the first half, limping…
Kyler Murray (25/38, 259 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions) celebrated Christmas by transforming into a nice little elf. First by giving a smile to the red supporters with a gift for Michael Wilson and a touchdown on the first series of the match (7-0). Then distributing interceptions to opponents without expecting anything in return over the next two (!) series of games. (7-17).
Arizona still sucks at playing football. Once again, after an interesting response in the fourth quarter, Murray's touchdown for James Conner (18-27). The Cardinals are doing everything you shouldn't do in modern football. A long pass on a 3&2 which does not succeed, a lack of courage to attempt the 4e attempt and a field goal which ends up on the post to complete the miracle. Jonathan Gannon and his staff must question themselves.
Zach Charbonnet… Christmas!
“Next man up!” » for the less English-speaking among us, this speech means that a player is always ready to take over from another. And Zach Charbonnet responded to the speech in the most appropriate way. His 51-yard touchdown while breaking a pair of tackles punctuated a perfect first half for his team. Before that, he had already transformed one of his defense's interceptions into another easy touchdown (24-10).
The Seattle defense once again put out a big-time performance. Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight, the linebackers, should be in the spotlight. It is with them that head coach Mike Macdonald transformed his squad. Respectively, the player acquired during the season and the rookie had a significant impact in the air and on the ground. James Conner was confined to thin yards in the situations that really mattered (90 yards in 18 carries) and Ernest Jones IV was the author of the first interception.
Geno manages for the Seahawks
If he was rather “discreet” Geno Smith produced a copy of almost absolute cleanliness (24/30, 233 yards and 1 touchdown). The quarterback was able to unlock complex situations in 3e attempt and in the red zone to decide the game. His touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba (5 receptions, 82 yards, 1 touchdown) also shows the maturity of the 34-year-old quarterback.
He finished the game by controlling the clock with his teammates. In the second half, Seattle only scored 6 points through the foot of Jason Myers. A drop in pressure can be worrying as the advance was comfortable. Final score 18-30.
If the playoffs are not yet assured, the position of the Seahawks is very favorable after this new victory. Geno Smith and Seattle are in good shape and are looking more and more like the scarecrow, the itchy hair of the NFC.
