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Cardinals – Seahawks (21-31): Kenneth Walker III puts Arizona at the bottom of the hole

November 7, 2022

Arizona Cardinals (3-6) – Seattle Seahawks (6-3): 21-31

Fourth consecutive victory for the Seahawks which consolidates their place as leader of the NFC West and which sinks the Cardinals who record their 4th defeat in 5 games.

The Seahawks attack was well inspired with a solid Geno Smith (26/34, 275 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) and especially a Kenneth Walker III (26 carries, 109 YDS, 2 TDs) who celebrates his rookie trophy of the month of October with 2 touchdowns and more than 100 yards in the race.

As for the Cardinals’ attack, despite a good first offensive series, Kyler Murray (25/35, 175 yards, 2 TDs), not helped by his offensive line, suffered 5 sacks and all in the second period. The attack ran out of inspiration despite the advantage taken at the start of the 2nd half.

With this defeat, Kliff Kingsbury finds himself more than ever under pressure while with this victory, Seattle can continue to believe in the playoffs.

Bold but uninspired attacks

After a field goal from Seattle, Arizona starts strong from their first offensive series. Kyler Murray notably wins more than 20 yards on a run in 3rd & 5 to escape the opposing pressure.

This drive ends with a new touchdown from DeAndre Hopkins. And this touchdown is an event! Indeed, it’s the Cardinals’ first touchdown on their first offensive series in 18 games.

Seattle will then respond with a touchdown where the work of DK Metcalf is noted to stay within the bounds of the field. This series was the result of a lot of work on the ground game, notably embodied by Kenneth Walker III.

Arizona thinks it did the hardest part

While Seattle thought it had recovered the momentum of the game after an interception by Coby Bryant, the game was finally canceled for a foul by Quandre Diggs on an illegal contact. The audacity of the Seahawks is also not rewarded in attack following a 4th failed attempt in the Arizona camp.

But Arizona will also make mistakes, especially at the end of the first half with a fumble from Kyler Murray covered by the Seattle defense while Arizona was in a good position to equalize. This is the 16th forced fumble for the Seahawks this season, which is ahead at the break (10-7).

The 2nd half starts with 3 sacks. 2 for Arizona with Isaiah Simmons and a combination between rookie Cameron Thomas and Zach Allen and 1 for Seattle with Uchenna Nwosu, his 6th this season.

While Arizona’s attack is slipping, it’s the defense that will revive Kliff Kingsbury’s team with a pick six from linebacker Zaven Collins, the 5th defensive touchdown of the season for the Cardinals but the Seahwks do not let go and Geno Smith catches up with a touchdown pass for the other star receiver of the Seahawks, Tyler Lockett.

This is the 3rd game this season where Metcalf and Lockett have at least 1 touchdown each in a game. Seattle regains the lead (17-14) and won’t let go.

Kenneth Walker III finishes the job

While they had won 7 first attempts in the 1st half, the Cardinals’ attack lacked inspiration in this 2nd period with only 2 first attempts won. Kyler Murray is even sacked again by Bruce Irwin. We don’t even see DeAndre Hopkins, only author of a reception in the 2nd half.

On the contrary, it is Seattle which finds the end zone with Kenneth Walker III which improves the work on the ground of Geno Smith and his offensive line, author of 2 races of more than 10 yards allowing to win 2 first attempts.

Zach Ertz (5 REC, 40 YDS, 1 TD) saves the honor for the Cardinals on a pass from Kyler Murray. But, finally, the defense of Arizona will crack and concede a new ground touchdown of Kenneth Walker III, the man of the match and perhaps future offensive rookie of the year.

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November 7, 2022
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