Seahawks and Cardinals fought for 75 minutes in a game that was impossible to win

Both the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals had numerous chances to win their Sunday Night Football game. Instead, it ended in a 6-6 tie.

The Cardinals’ 24-yard field goal attempt with just over three minutes left in overtime hit the uprights and gave the Seahawks one last possession to get the win. Russell Wilson led the Seahawks down the field, and with 28 seconds left, the normally reliable Steve Hauschka missed a 28-yarder.

Those were hardly the only missed opportunities in a game that was strange all around.

The Cardinals’ time of possession was nearly double Seattle’s in regulation, and on paper, this was a game they should have easily won. Seattle’s offense was stagnant, and Arizona running back David Johnson outperformed them all by himself before overtime. Johnson finished the day with 113 yards on the ground and added 58 receiving yards.

By the time the game was over, the Cardinals’ time of possession was 46:21, which is an NFL record.

Arizona had 23 first downs to Seattle’s 11. The Cardinals outgained the Seahawks, 443 yards to just 257, and Seattle only managed to convert three of 14 third downs. Still, the Cardinals couldn’t get into the end zone.

The Seahawks were heavily penalized in the game, too, including two holding calls on the last possession in regulation that stymied an opportunity to get some points on the board to secure a win. Overall, the Seahawks had 10 penalties for 90 yards.

Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro had an opportunity to put three more on the board for Arizona in the second quarter, but the attempt was blocked by Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner.

There were 15 punts in regulation. That was three times more than the number of first downs the Seahawks had before the game went to overtime.

A blocked punt in the fourth quarter was easily the most exciting moment in a game that was mostly devoid of them.

A few plays later, Seattle tied it up 3-3 and the game was later sent to overtime.

It looked like Arizona might be able to score a touchdown on the first possession in overtime and mercifully end this game, but a drop by wide receiver Michael Floyd on third down forced the Cardinals to settle for a field goal attempt, which Catanzaro nailed.

Seattle answered with a field goal of its own, tying the game at 6-6. The Cardinals got another chance to win it, and got well into field goal range with a 40-yard Palmer pass to J.J. Nelson. Richard Sherman fell down in coverage, allowing Nelson to make the big play, and Seahawks safety Kelcie McCray kept Nelson out of the end zone with a shoestring tackle.

Arizona very nearly got into the end zone on a Johnson run, but though he came close enough to kick the pylon, the ball didn’t cross the plane. The Cardinals opted to attempt a field goal for the win, and Catanzaro’s attempt bounced off of the goalpost. Sunday Night Football had become an exercise in absurdity.

Seattle then missed its field goal, giving the Seahawks and Cardinals the first tie without a touchdown in the NFL since 1972.

Despite dramatically outperforming the Seahawks for 75 minutes and having very few points to show for it, the Cardinals were forced to settle for a 6-6 tie with Seattle.