The Seattle Seahawks hold a 17-10 lead over the Arizona Cardinals at halftime Thursday night, with much credit due to Russell Wilson. The second-year signal caller has been a slow starter at times this season, but he was crisp from the outset in Arizona. On the Seahawks' opening offensive possession, he had an 11-yard run and went 3-for-3 passing to give Seattle an early 7-0 lead, capping the drive with a 31-yard pass to Sidney Rice.
Seahawks vs. Cardinals halftime score: Russell Wilson keys 17-10 lead for Seattle
The Seattle Seahawks got out to a dominant start keyed by Russell Wilson, but the Cardinals made big defensive plays late to stay behind only 17-10 at halftime.
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The drive lasted all of five plays. The Seahawks made their second scoring drive last a little longer. Again, Wilson was on point, completing four passes on an 11-play drive including the clincher, a short pass over the middle that tight end Zach Miller was able to turn into a 15-yard touchdown. Wilson has had help from the running game. Marshawn Lynch has 10 carries for 46 yards and Ronny Turbin pitched in seven yards on his lone carry.
The Cardinals were promptly able to shift momentum, however, forcing a turnover on downs with a 4th-and-1 stop when the Seahawks were just past midfield early in the second quarter. Arizona would settle for a long Jay Feely field goal.
The Cardinals defense was opportunistic yet again after the Seahawks took back possession. Wilson made his biggest mistake of the night pinned back near the goalline. Instead of getting rid of the ball in the face of the oncoming pass rush, Wilson took a strip-sack from Matt Shaugnessy and the Cardinals recovered the fumble on the 3-yard line. On the next play, Rashard Mendenhall ran the ball into the end zone to make the score 14-10.
Just before halftime, Wilson made up for his mistake to lead the Seahawks down the field for a field goal. The drive included an incredible effort by Wilson and Rice to pick up 16 yards on 3rd-and-8. Rice made a diving catch that was initially ruled incomplete, but reversed when review showed that Rice was able to slide his arm underneath the football and retain control on the ground. The drive stalled out with a pair of penalties at the 20-yard line, and Steven Hauschka booted a 51-yard field goal to cap scoring for the half.
The Cardinals have just 69 totals yard of offense compared to 219 for the Seahawks, but they have made the defensive plays necessary to keep the game close. For the half, Wilson is 12-for-18 passing for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Carson Palmer is 8-for-12 for 70 yards and an interception.
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