The Seattle Seahawks had won their last 41 games after leading at halftime by 10 points or more, and the Sunday Night Football matchup between Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson did not disappoint in the dramatics.
Wilson vs. Murray
The story of the evening was the connection between Wilson and Tyler Lockett. After two disappointing performances against the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, Lockett exploded for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 15 catches. Murray went step-for-step and throw-for-throw with Wilson on Sunday night. Both quarterbacks threw for over 300 yards, three touchdowns, and each led their teams in rushing. Wilson threw three interceptions, including one to Budda Baker that was returned 90 yards into Seattle territory until D.K. Metcalf saved the day for Seattle.
After a very poor passing performance against the Dallas Cowboys, Murray proved he can command the offense in and out of the pocket. The second-year quarterback threw 48 passes for 360 yards in an impressive performance in the air. Although he did not have the game Lockett did, DeAndre Hopkins had another impressive evening with 10 catches, 103 yards, and a touchdown catch. Christian Kirk cemented his place as the #2 receiver in Arizona with two touchdown catches of his own.
Arizona’s Defensive Impact
The Cardinals defense came into the game allowing less than 20 points per game. However, Wilson and the Seahawks changed that. Although Baker and Patrick Peterson created turnovers with an interception each, the Seahawks were relentless in their offensive execution on the ground and in the air.
After four full quarters going back and forth, the Cardinals overcame a 13 point deficit. Then, Murray created his magic to send the game to overtime. Ultimately, it was the Arizona defense who came through for the Cardinals.
Two sacks on the Seahawks’ first possession of overtime gave Murray and the Cardinals the ball with a chance to score. Murray, assisted by two big runs from Chase Edmonds, led Arizona down the field and gave Zane Gonzalez a chance to win the game with a 41-yard field goal. Unfortunately, Kliff Kingsbury iced his own kicker, and Gonzalez missed wide left on the second kick after Arizona called a timeout.
With the chance to solidify his MVP candidacy and legacy for winning close, primetime games, Wilson drove the Seahawks to Arizona territory and proceeded to throw his third interception of the night to rookie Isaiah Simmons, who had barely played in the game before that series.
Murray and the Cardinals proceeded to drive back into field goal position. Gonzalez redeemed himself with a game-winning field goal that solidifies Arizona’s place as a playoff contender in the NFC.
Highlights
The face you make when @DeAndreHopkins gets open pic.twitter.com/ukt7dTUyMk
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 26, 2020
Murray connected with Hopkins for their first score of the game, and his face tells the whole story.
.@TDLockett12 is SPECTACULAR. 🌟
📺: #SEAvsAZ on NBC pic.twitter.com/eVK5I42LyW
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 26, 2020
Lockett makes an incredible catch on a beautiful deep ball from Wilson.
Zane called game. pic.twitter.com/RsUtvAXjqX
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 26, 2020
Zane called game.
The Seahawks’ first loss in 2020 comes with a cost. The Cardinals are now only one game behind the Seahawks for the lead in the NFC West. With the Rams playing Chicago on Monday night, the Seahawks are now in the thick of a playoff race. MVP front runner Wilson threw three interceptions after coming into the game with only one on the season. Seattle will look to get back on track next Sunday against the red hot San Francisco 49ers.
Arizona now sits at 5-2 and is the sixth seed in the exciting NFC race for the playoffs. The Cardinals have a bye week and return to action on November 8th at home against the Miami Dolphins. Arizona will likely face off against Tua Tagovailoa, which will be another exciting quarterback matchup to watch.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
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