Seahawks Clinch Dramatic Win Over Cardinals with Last-Second 52-Yard Field Goal
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Seattle Seahawks pulled off a thrilling 23-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals Thursday night at State Farm Stadium, sealing the game with a 52-yard walk-off field goal by Jason Myers after a wild, late rally from the Cardinals led by quarterback Kyler Murray.
The Seahawks entered the fourth quarter holding a comfortable 17-6 lead, but the Cardinals surged late to tie the game at 20-20 with just 33 seconds remaining, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold responded under pressure, finding wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a crucial 22-yard gain that positioned the Seahawks within striking distance. Myers then calmly drilled the 52-yard field goal as time expired, preserving Seattle’s unbeaten streak against Arizona with their sixth consecutive win dating back to 2023.
“I had no doubt we were going to go down there and score,” Smith-Njigba said. “We just needed one play, a couple plays and Jason’s going to go down there and seal the deal.”
Back-and-Forth Battle
The game started with both teams trading scores, Seattle taking the early momentum with a touchdown in the first quarter. However, Arizona fought back, relying on quarterback Kyler Murray, who orchestrated two late touchdown drives despite facing relentless pressure from the Seahawks’ defense.
Arizona’s comeback appeared complete in the fourth quarter when Murray connected on multiple clutch passes to tie the game at 20 points. Yet, the Seahawks’ defense held firm in the final moments, forcing a Cardinals kickoff that set up Darnold’s game-winning drive.
Key Performers
Alongside Darnold and Smith-Njigba’s contributions on offense, the Seahawks’ defense made critical plays, including an interception by linebacker Ernest Jones that helped halt one of Arizona’s drives.
For the Cardinals, Murray showed resilience and leadership, but the team’s running game struggled without injured running back James Conner, who was sidelined with a season-ending foot injury suffered in a prior game.
Impact on NFC West Standings
This win boosts Seattle’s record to 3-1, while the Cardinals fall to 2-2. The NFC West remains tightly contested, with the San Francisco 49ers maintaining a perfect 3-0 record atop the division. Both teams will be looking to regroup and build momentum as the season progresses.
The Seahawks will aim to continue their dominance over Arizona as they prepare for upcoming divisional clashes, while the Cardinals seek to recover from their late collapse and injury setbacks.
Looking Ahead
Seattle’s next game will test whether they can sustain their composure in close contests, led by the steady arm of Darnold and clutch kicking from Myers. Arizona will need to find ways to bolster their offense beyond Murray’s passing and address injuries if they hope to stay competitive in the tough NFC West.