The Arizona Cardinals stunned Seattle Seahawks with a 27-13 upset victory on Sunday to knock Seattle out of the No. 1 spot in the NFC. The Seahawks entered the game needing two wins in their final two games to lock up home-field advantage in the NFC, but came up with a clunker against the last-place team in the NFC West at home.
The Seahawks, who can still clinch the division with a win at home against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17, mustered just 224 yards against a Cardinals defense that entered the game last in the NFL in yards per game allowed. Seattle also lost its top two running backs as Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise suffered injuries in the first half, hindering the offense as Russell Wilson went 16 of 31 for 169 yards with a touchdown in the loss.
The Cardinals also had a major injury of their own, as quarterback Kyler Murray hurt his hamstring on a scramble in the third quarter. Brett Hundley entered the game for Murray and led Arizona to the game-sealing touchdown late in the fourth quarter thanks to a 14-yard run on third down and also a 12-yard run in the red zone. Hundley had 35 yards rushing and went 4 for 9 for 49 yards in relief of Murray, who finished 11 of 18 for 118 yards and a touchdown, along with six carries for 40 yards.
Arizona got a career game from Kenyan Drake for the second consecutive week, as he finished with 24 carries for a career-high 166 yards and two scores. Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones had four sacks in the game and leads the NFL with 19 sacks on the season.
Here more on the Cardinals' win in Seattle.
Arizona's running attack was explosive in this one, led by the stellar play of Kenyan Drake. A week after rushing for 136 yards and four touchdowns, Drake racked up 166 yards and two scores as Arizona put up 253 yards on the ground. Drake was the catalyst behind the rushing attack, but the Cardinals got 75 yards from Murray and Hundley. Drake is the reason why David Johnson and Chase Edmonds have been nonexistent in the run game over the past month, as he established himself as the clear cut No. 1 back in the offense. Drake has 303 yards and six touchdowns over the last two games, averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
The Seahawks offense could only muster 224 yards against a Cardinals defense that entered the game last in the NFL in yards allowed (413.1), and finished just 1 of 13 on third down against a unit that was 30th in opponents' third down conversions allowed (47.83%). D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett combined for just one catch for 12 yards against an Arizona secondary that allowed 290.4 yards per game, last in the NFL. With Carson and Prosise out, the Seahawks needed their playmakers to help Wilson ... but no one was able to make a play all afternoon. The Seahawks had eight consecutive possessions where they failed to score a point, with five straight punts followed by a fumble and two punts. They had no touchdowns after their opening possession. It was a horrific performance against one of the worst defenses in the league.
Drake's 80-yard touchdown run on the Cardinals' first offensive play after the Seahawks' lone touchdown of the game set the tone for Arizona's day. Out of the shotgun, Murray handed the ball off to Drake as Mychal Kendricks overpursued, believing the quarterback was going to keep the ball. Drake got the ball on the zone read and was off to the races for the score, tying the game at 7-7 with 8:45 left in the first quarter.
KENYAN DRAKE.
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2019
80 YARDS untouched to the end zone! @KDx32 #RedSea
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The Cardinals' longest run of the year was 37 yards before Drake's touchdown. Arizona scored 20 unanswered points to take control of the game.
Kyler Murray delivered arguably the best play of his impressive rookie season. The Cardinals quarterback appeared to take off and gain a few yards with his legs on a second-and-7 in a 7-7 game late in the second quarter. Murray eluded two defenders in the pocket and ran to his left, appearing to get a few yards on the ground.
Kyler making magic happen.
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2019
And @LarryFitzgerald takes it all the way! @K1 #RedSea
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Instead, Murray flipped the ball to Larry Fitzgerald on his tip toes at the line of scrimmage, and the Cardinals wide receiver took the pass 21 yards for the score to give Arizona the 14-7 lead over Seattle. Murray has been electric for the Cardinals all season, but that play was why he went No. 1, and why he's like the front runner for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
"So many things that didn't go right for us today. That's just what it is ... We got to figure some stuff out." -- Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll after the loss
Carson and Prosise are both out for next week's showdown against the 49ers and starting left tackle Duane Brown needs knee surgery. Carson may be out for the season with a hip injury, and Prosise is dome for the year with a broken arm. This comes two weeks after Rashaad Penny tore his ACL, leaving Seattle down to Travis Homer as the presumed new starting running back.
With the playoffs two weeks away, Seattle is banged up at the worst possible time.
The Cardinals wrap up their season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams, who are also eliminated from the playoffs. The Seahawks host the 49ers on "Sunday Night Football," where they will play for the NFC West title.
That will do it in this one. Huge upset for the Cardinals and a stunning performance by the defense. Seattle needs to beat san Fran to win the NFC West. Jeff Kerr from CBS Sports signing off. Be sure to stay tuned for takeaways.
4 sacks for Chandler Jones today. 19 on the year.
Hundley wit the money drive and a 12 yard run. Cardinals score on a Drake TD. His 6th in last 2 games.
They're going to upset Seattle.
Cardinals looking to put this away. At the Seattle 15
What a run on 3rd-and-2 by Brett Hundley. That's a veteran QB making a play.
I don't think Williams could get more open there. That pass puts the Cardinals at midfield. Hundley holding his own.
Cardinals need points. Don't give Wilson another chance to tie it (he will)
Myers drills the 51 yarder and its 20-13. Can the Cardinals hold on with just over 10 minutes left?
No Seattle receivers are making plays for Wilson today.
McDougald takes away that first down catch and the Cards will punt. If there is any opportunity for Wlson to take over. Here it is.
DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have combined for zero catches today. Incredible.
I don't think Kirk got both feet in. Hell of a catch tho.
It don't matter who his QB is, Larry Fitzgerald makes big catch after big catch. 12 yards on 3rd and 8 and the first down. Cards extend drive.
Brett Hundley just tried to get Kenyan Drake killed. He's walking off slowly. What a dumb throw across the field.
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