Hawks Keep Flying

Hard to deny Geno Smith and the Seahawks, even when the adversity is up against them. Smith finished 10 of 12 for 123 yards as he led Seattle to a 31-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, playing near-flawless football after throwing his biggest mistake of the season in the second half. 

Smith threw a pick-six to give the Cardinals a 14-10 lead with 9:18 left in the third quarter. From there, Seattle responded and took over the game, thanks to the leadership of Smith. The Seahawks quarterback went 6 for 7 for 54 yards and a touchdown on the ensuing drive, a 9-yard pass to Tyler Lockett that gave Seattle a 17-14 lead — one the Seahawks wouldn’t relinquish. 

From there, Kenneth Walker III stole the show. The rookie running back had 17 carries for 77 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the second half to lead Seattle’s high-powered ground attack to 158 yards. Seattle converted its final seven third downs in outscoring Arizona 17-7 the rest of the way. 

Kyler Murray led the Cardinals back into the game with 6-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz with 3:32 left to cut Arizona’s deficit to 24-21. Arizona’s defense couldn’t hold, as Smith found Noah Fant for a 51-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive. Walker took over from there, carrying the ball on the next four plays for 29 yards and the touchdown to seal the win. 

Smith went 26 of 34 for 275 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while Walker finished with 26 carries for 109 yards and two scores. Murray went 25 of 35 for 175 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, while having eight carries for 60 yards. 

Geno Smith could have panicked after throwing the pick-six to Zaven Collins, arguably his worst throw of the season in what has been a tremendous first half. Instead, Smith rallied the Seahawks offense as Seattle scored touchdowns on its next three possessions to take control of a football game that made a statement in the NFC West. 

Smith made the throws he needed to, going 10 of 12 for 123 yards and a touchdown since the pick-six. The Seahawks allowed Smith to make the throws he needed to make, as Kenneth Walker took over with 17 carries for 77 yards and two scores. 

The Seahawks had 31 plays for 231 yards and 21 points since the pick-six by Smith. Just an incredible rally. “Our guys just went for it. We finished the game. “We ran the ball. We took care of the football. We didn’t let them have it.” — Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was proud of his team’s performance in the second half of Sunday’s win, enjoying the mentality of his team and how they took control of the game after Smith’s pick-six.