Seahawks vs. Cardinals score, takeaways: Geno Smith leads second-half rally to keep Seattle atop NFC West

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. 

Why the Seahawks won

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. 

Why the Cardinals lost

The Cardinals offense is an inconsistent unit, and the issues aren't on Kyler Murray. Kliff Kingsbury calls plays for an offense that started the second half with 12 plays for 5 yards. The Cardinals took the lead on a defensive touchdown, as that unit did all it could to keep Arizona in the game. 

Thanks to the offense going three and out twice and having 5 yards in the first 16 minutes of the second half, the Seahawks were able to generate long drives and gain 151 yards and 14 points on the next two possessions to take a 24-14 lead in the fourth quarter. That seemed to be it for Arizona. 

Who knows how long Kingsbury will last, but what Arizona is doing isn't working. 

Turning point

Zaven Collins had an interception return for a touchdown to give Arizona a 17-14 lead, but his penalty on third down put the Cardinals defense in a hole on the next series. Tyler Lockett had an impressive third down catch on a third-and-12 from the Seahawks' own 35-yard line with 5:38 left, but Seattle would have gotten a first down anyway.

Collins drilled Lockett on the play that was deemed unnecessary roughness, tacking another 15 yards for Arizona. The Seahawks got 27 yards on the play, going to the Cardinals 38-yard line. They scored seven plays later to take the lead for good. 

Play of the game

Tyler Lockett's touchdown catch had some controversy to it, as he appeared to shove Budda Baker with his right hand to gain a bit of separation before his 9-yard grab that put Seattle ahead 17-14.

This touchdown was a big one for Seattle, as this was a response after Geno Smith threw a pick-six to Zaven Collins to give Arizona the lead. Seattle responded with a 13-play, 75-yard drive, capped with Lockett's touchdown to take the lead for good.

The quote

"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. 

Up next

The Cardinals (3-6) will face the Los Angeles Rams in their second of third consecutive NFC West games next Sunday while the Seahawks (6-3) travel to Munich to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first international game in Germany. Seattle is the road team for that game. 

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The Seahawks win and go to 6-3 on the year, full command of the NFC West. If the Rams lose, Seattle will be 1.5 games up o the 49ers. The Cardinals fall to 3-6 with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance. They got the Rams next week. 

November 7, 2022, 12:16 AM
Nov. 06, 2022, 7:16 pm EST
 
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Geno Smith is 10-of-12 for 123 yards with 2 TD since the pick six. Had 2 carries for 30 yards as well. 

Such a different quarterback. 

November 6, 2022, 11:58 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:58 pm EST
 
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Big TD catch for Zach Ertz. 45th career TD and the Cardinals are not out of it. Cardinals have three timeouts and the 2 minute warning left. The Cardinals need to stop the run here.

November 6, 2022, 11:54 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:54 pm EST
 
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Walker with the great 3rd down run. Finishes it off with the touchdown. Seahawks up 24-14. What a beast. 

November 6, 2022, 11:36 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:36 pm EST
 
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Geno Smith has 30 yards rushing in his last two plays. Huge run on 3rd-and-7 to extend the Cardinals drive as Seattle is now in the red zone. 

November 6, 2022, 11:34 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:34 pm EST
 
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Fully expecting the Seahawks to give teh ball to Kenny Walker often in the 4th. This is Walker's time to wear down a defense. 

November 6, 2022, 11:31 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:31 pm EST
 
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The Seahawks are getting plenty of contributions from Shelby Harris and Noah Fant today. Two players they got in the Russell Wilson deal. Fant has 4 catches for 45 yards and Harris got that third down sack to get Seattle the ball back. 

November 6, 2022, 11:28 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:28 pm EST
 
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5 catches on 5 targets for 42 yards for Ronalde Moore. The Cardinals also missed him in the early portion of the seaosn. Offense more fluent with him in the slot. Gonna be 17-14 Seattle entering Q4. 

November 6, 2022, 11:22 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:22 pm EST
 
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Tyler Lockett may have gotten away with OPI with that shove on Budda Baker -- but that's a TD catch by Lockett. Him and Metcalf with TD catches today as Seattle retakes the lead. 

November 6, 2022, 11:15 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:15 pm EST
 
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Really bad penalty by Zaven Collins. Tyler Lockett is so tough. Catches that pass across the middle, gets drilled, and gets up right away. Great ball by Smith on that 3rd -and-12 too. 

November 6, 2022, 11:10 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:10 pm EST
 
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That's the worst time for Geno Smith to throw an INT.

Zaven Collins with the TD to give Arizona the lead. The 5th defensive TD for the Cardinals this year, which leads the #NFL.

1st career INT for Collins. 14-10 AZ. 

November 6, 2022, 11:02 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 6:02 pm EST
 
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The Cardinals pass rush must have seen something at halftime. Isaiah Simmons with his 2nd sack in 2 weeks and Markus Golden gets to Geno Smith. The Seahawks didn't contain on the edge and got beat easily. Defensive struggle continues in this one. 

November 6, 2022, 10:54 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 5:54 pm EST
 
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Three and out for the Cardinals to start the second half. Six yards. No creativity. Not good. 

November 6, 2022, 10:48 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 5:48 pm EST
 
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Robby Anderson has 1 catch for -4 yards with the Cardinals -- and a crucial 3rd down drop.

Next play, Kyler Murray runs for a 1st down on 4th-and-4 -- and fumbles after Ryan Neal forces the ball loose.

Can't make this stuff up with Arizona. 

November 6, 2022, 10:27 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 5:27 pm EST
 
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Kyler Murray has an impressive 18-yard run and the Cardinals follow with a screen. Kliff Kingsbury makes a  lot of head-scratching decisions, specifically on two-minute drives. Robby Anderson should have caught that third down pass too. Wide open. 

November 6, 2022, 10:26 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 5:26 pm EST
 
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This isn't good. The Cardinals don't need their QB picking fights with his best playmaker now. 

November 6, 2022, 10:14 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 5:14 pm EST
 
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Glad the broadcast showed how good the Seahawks draft class is. Most snaps amongst any draft class in the NFL and have the reigning offensive and defensive rookies of the month. Wonder why they're 5-3? Big reason. 

November 6, 2022, 10:11 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 5:11 pm EST
 
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Wasn't crazy about that 4th down play by Pete Carroll and Shane Waldron. Shovel pass to the tight end for a loss of 4 doesn't do it. The decision to go for it was fine. The play call was not. 

November 6, 2022, 10:06 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 5:06 pm EST
 
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What a catch by D.K. Metcalf in the back of the end zone.

That's his 4th TD catch of the year. Geno Smith had little wiggle room for error and delivered a strike to D.K.

Smith 14 TD, 3 INT this year.

Seahawks up 10-7. 

November 6, 2022, 9:49 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 4:49 pm EST
 
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Love how the Seahawks commit to their run game, even with how good their pass game has been. Give Pete Carroll a lot of credit for making Kenneth Walker his bell cow back after Rashaad Penny went down for the year. Walker is so tough to bring down. 

November 6, 2022, 9:47 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 4:47 pm EST
 
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Geno Smith is so much better than he's ben at any stage in his NFL career. His poise in the pocket and delivering a perfect strike to Noah Fant shows all you need to know. His decision making his so quick. 

November 6, 2022, 9:40 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 4:40 pm EST
 
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2nd high snap of the game for Billy Price. Man do the Cardinals miss Rodney Hudson, who has missed the last four games with a knee injury. Cardinals are fortunate Jame Conner wa sable to pick that ball up. 

November 6, 2022, 9:35 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 4:35 pm EST
 
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What a difference DeAndre Hopkins makes in that Cardinals offense. For the first time in 14 games, Arizona starts the game with a TD. 

Hopkins with the 22-yard TD catch from Murray. 2 catches, 28 yards on the drive. Leads NFL in receptions and receiving yards since returning in Week 7 (entering the game). 

November 6, 2022, 9:25 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 4:25 pm EST
 
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I expect a lot of running opportunities for Kyler Murray today. Seahawks defense can overpursue at times, particularly on third down. They have to contain Murray in the pocket. 

November 6, 2022, 9:20 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 4:20 pm EST
 
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Solid first drive for the Seahawks. Didn't end in a TD, but Jalen Thompson had excellent coverage on Dee Eskridge to prevent yards after the catch (ball was incomplete anyway). Jason Myers hits the 49-yard FG to put the Seahawks up 3-0. 8 play, 34-yard drive. 

November 6, 2022, 9:14 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 4:14 pm EST
 
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Geno Smith has completed his first three passes. Leads the NFL in completion percentage this year. 

November 6, 2022, 9:12 PM
Nov. 06, 2022, 4:12 pm EST
 
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@Seahawks via Twitter
November 6, 2022, 9:03 PM
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@AZCardinals via Twitter
November 6, 2022, 9:02 PM
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@AZCardinals via Twitter
November 6, 2022, 8:59 PM
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Kyler Murray is going to have to break this hex against NFC West teams. Murray is 5-13 in his career against the NFC West. He's gone 2-9 against the NFC West in his last 11 starts (incl. postseason) and he's lost 5 straight games against the NFC West

November 6, 2022, 8:56 PM
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