Seahawks vs. Cardinals 2013 final score: Russell Wilson’s 3 TDs pace Seattle’s 34-22 win
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks put a hurt on the Cardinals in the second half of Thursday night’s game in Arizona. Final score: 34-22, Seattle.
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes, Marshawn Lynch ran in another, and the Seattle Seahawks routed the Arizona Cardinals, 34-22, on the road Thursday night.
With the win, the Seahawks solidify themselves as the cream of the NFC West. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are now firmly in the division basement after losing to the Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers in consecutive weeks.
The game seemed to be relatively close at halftime. The Seahawks led 17-10 at intermission, with the Cardinals reeling off 10 straight points thanks to a pair of big plays defensively. A 4th-and-1 stop near midfield and a strip-sack on Wilson near the goal line led directly to a field goal and a touchdown, respectively. Coming out of the third quarter, the Cards were able to force a punt, then drive for a field goal to make the score 17-13.
In hindsight, the Seahawks' 219-69 advantage in total yards at halftime was more indicative of Seattle's dominance than the score. After the Cardinals pulled within four points, the Seahawks hit the gas pedal. Wilson led a 10-play, 81-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown pass to Kellen Davis. Brandon Browner then intercepted Carson Palmer on the Cards' next possession and returned the ball to the goal line to set up Lynch's touchdown run. With under four minutes to play in the third, the Seahawks had quickly expanded their lead to 31-13.
Both teams traded field goals (the Cardinals scored after Wilson's second lost fumble of the night), and eventually the Cardinals were able to put together a sustained drive to set up a Palmer touchdown pass to Jaron Brown to make the score 34-22 after a failed 2-point conversion with 4:34 to play. Palmer went 8-for-8 to drive the Cardinals 71 yards, but the effort would prove to be too little, too late.
For the game, Seattle finished with 345 total yards to 204 for Arizona. Seattle's front seven was able to sack Palmer seven times, and held running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Andre Ellington to a combined 25 yards on 16 carries.
Fantasy studs and duds
Russell Wilson was the star of the game. He went 18-for-29 passing for 235 yards and three touchdowns, plus he added another 29 yards on the ground. Marshawn Lynch padded his stats in the second half to finish with 91 yards rushing and a touchdown on 21 carries.
Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald were duds once again for fantasy owners. Palmer went just 30-for-45 passing for 258 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown. Fitzgerald had just 17 yards on two receptions.
Injury report
The Seahawks lost fullback Derrick Coleman and safety Jeron Johnson in the first half with hamstring injuries. Neither player was able to return to the game.
The Seahawks later lost Golden Tate with a foot injury. He was marked as questionable when he left during the third quarter, but was eventually able to return.
The Cardinals lost left guard Daryn Colledge late in the third quarter with an apparent back injury. He was also marked questionable for return when left.
Did they cover?
The Seahawks entered Thursday’s game as 5.5-point favorites, according to OddsShark.com, so they were able to cover easily.
What’s next?
Arizona vs. Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 27, 4:25 p.m. ET
Seattle at St. Louis, Monday, Oct. 28, 8:30 p.m. ET
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