The Cardinals were 6-4 and in first place in the NFC West as they entered their bye week after a 31-6 win over the Jets in Week 10, but they have come crashing back to Earth the last three weeks.
Sunday’s 30-18 loss to the Seahawks marked their third straight defeat and they now find themselves two games behind a Seattle team that swept the season series between the clubs. Sunday’s loss was set in motion by back-to-back Kyler Murray interceptions in the first quarter because the Seahawks turned both of them into touchdowns that gave them a lead they would not relinquish.
It was the first time that Murray has thrown interceptions on consecutive throws and he said the blame for the loss falls on his shoulders.
“I feel like I let the team down today,” Murray said, via the team’s website. “Self-explanatory. You can’t do that.”
Murray hasn’t been the culprit for all that’s gone wrong over the last three weeks, but it’s hard to argue with his view about the turning point of the game. Murray said he’s “not looking at it like I have to press and become Superman” to end the losing streak and the entire team will need to be better to stop the bleeding.
The Cardinals have a chance to right the ship at home against a 3-10 Patriots team next Sunday and they’ll have to do that to give themselves any realistic chance to find their way back into the playoff picture before all is said and done this season.
Seattle made a big statement in the NFC West with a big win in Arizona today.
The Seahawks’ 30-18 win over the Cardinals kept Seattle atop the division, and served as one of the best all-around games this Seattle team has played.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet had a huge game, with 134 yards rushing and 59 yards receiving. And Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith played efficient football, completing 24 of 30 passes for 233 yards, with a touchdown, no interceptions and no sacks. Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was Smith’s most reliable receiver on the day, catching all five of the passes thrown to him for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray made some big plays but also threw two interceptions while playing from behind for most of the game. The Seahawks jumped out to a 17-7 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
With the win, the Seahawks improve their record to 8-5 and look like they’re well on their way to the playoffs. The Cardinals fall to 6-7 and missed a big opportunity today to get back in the NFC West race.
Kyler Murray’s two interceptions led to two short Seattle touchdown drives, and the Seahawks lead the Cardinals 24-10 at halftime.
The Seahawks dominated the first half, outgaining the Cardinals 272 to 156.
Murray threw back-to-back picks for the first time in his career, with Ernest Jones’ interception leading to a one-play, 19-yard touchdown drive and Coby Bryant’s interception resulting in a five-play, 46-yard touchdown drive for the Seahawks.
Murray is 10-of-16 for 117 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Michael Wilson caught a 41-yard score on the Cardinals’ first possession. James Conner has eight carries for 33 yards.
Geno Smith is 15-of-18 for 151 yards, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba has four catches for 70 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown reception.
Zach Charbonnet has touchdown runs of 1 and 51 yards, totaling 87 yards on 10 carries in the first half.
The Cardinals lost punter Blake Gillikin, who is questionable to return with an ankle injury. Kicker Chad Ryland had a 36-yard punt that was fair caught.
Kyler Murray had never thrown back-to-back interceptions in his career. Until Sunday.
The Cardinals quarterback was picked by Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones on a pass intended for Marvin Harrison Jr. Jones’ 12-yard return to the Arizona 19 set up the Seahawks for Geno Smith’s touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the next play.
The Cardinals had a run on first down on their next possession before Murray was picked by free safety Coby Bryant on a pass intended for Zay Jones. Bryant’s 9-yard return to the Arizona 46 set up Zach Charbonnet’s 1-yard touchdown run.
Murray has thrown five interceptions the past seven quarters after throwing only three picks in the first 10 weeks.
He threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson on the Cardinals’ first possession for an early 7-0 lead.
The Cardinals now trail 17-10, and Murray is 6-of-11 for 95 yards.
Running back Kenneth Walker won’t be part of the Seahawks’ effort to move closer to an NFC West title on Sunday.
Walker was listed as questionable to play with ankle and calf injuries on the team’s final injury report of the week, but his condition did not improve as hoped. The Seahawks announced that Walker has been ruled out well ahead of kickoff against the Cardinals in Arizona.
Zach Charbonnet will now be the lead back for Seattle. Kenny McIntosh is on the 53-man roster as the third-string back and the Seahawks also elevated George Holani from the practice squad.
The Seahawks go into Sunday’s game with a one-game lead on the Cardinals in the division and a win would give them a season sweep of Arizona.
