The Arizona Cardinals entered their matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday feeling rejuvenated, relatively injury-free, and showcasing their best football in recent seasons. However, the team faced an unexpected setback with a disappointing 16-6 defeat on the road against their division rivals.
“It was a frustrating day on the offensive side, particularly given our recent performance, to come out and falter like this and get physically overpowered,” said quarterback Kyler Murray. The loss ended the Cardinals’ four-game winning streak, with Murray completing 24 of 37 passes for 285 yards. Unfortunately, he made a costly error that resulted in a 69-yard interception return by Seattle’s Coby Bryant. The rushing attack struggled significantly, tallying a mere 49 yards, with leading rusher James Conner managing just 8 yards on seven carries.
“It felt like the game’s flow wasn’t in our favor today,” receiver Michael Wilson remarked. “Some days unfold like this. We simply didn’t execute enough to turn the tide when the game wasn’t going our way.” Despite the loss, Arizona remains competitive in the playoff race, tied with the Seahawks atop the NFC West with six games left in the season. Nonetheless, this loss serves as a humbling experience after a month of promising performances.
“This game will teach us a great deal,” expressed head coach Gannon. Arizona’s defense continued its encouraging midseason improvement, allowing the team a fighting chance against Seattle. The front seven, while lacking star players, managed a respectable pass rush, recording five sacks by different players.
Second-year cornerback Garrett Williams came up big with an interception of Geno Smith early in the fourth quarter, providing a spark as the Cardinals aimed to mount a comeback. Williams, drafted in the third round from Syracuse in 2023, is emerging as a reliable starting cornerback that the franchise has needed for years. “I thought they fought hard, forced several punts, and kept the points off the scoreboard,” Gannon commented. “Garrett’s interception was huge in keeping us in the game. We made some errors, including myself.”
On the other hand, Arizona’s rushing performance raised concerns. Conner, who had a season-low rushing total, did manage to contribute 41 yards through the air. Rookie Trey Benson had just four carries for 18 yards, while Emari Demercado’s highlight was a 14-yard run. Establishing Conner as a significant offensive threat is crucial, as the Cardinals hold a 5-1 record when he totals over 100 yards from scrimmage. Gannon noted that falling behind early restricted the Cardinals’ offensive playbook, particularly in the second half.
“There were opportunities, but once you’re trailing, it complicates the offense significantly,” Gannon remarked. “We need to improve our early game performance to ensure we’re not forced to play from behind.”
Fourth-year edge rusher Zaven Collins may not be the marquee player fans anticipated when he was selected 16th overall in the 2021 draft, but he has been a quietly effective force in the team’s front seven, achieving his fourth sack of the season against Seattle and consistently pressuring Smith.
Though Murray is having an impressive season overall, his MVP aspirations took a hit with the lackluster performance against the Seahawks. He exhibited moments of competence but the critical interception that resulted in a touchdown for the opponent proved detrimental. This season, Murray has largely avoided such mistakes, a key factor in keeping the team within playoff contention. “We can’t afford to give up seven points, especially with the way our defense is playing,” Murray stated. “If I don’t throw that interception, we remain competitive through all four quarters.”
In terms of player health, the Cardinals emerged from the game in reasonably good shape. Gannon indicated that starting safety Jalen Thompson (ankle) is expected to return to practice midweek after missing the past two games.
Noteworthy performances included tight end Trey McBride, who had a breakout day with a career-high 12 receptions for 133 yards.
As the Cardinals prepare for a challenging contest against the Vikings (9-2) next Sunday, they look to bounce back and regain their momentum.