Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson in an Instant Classic Overtime Game

It took over 65 minutes for this game to have a winner, but every minute was amazing to watch. This game generated over 1,000 total yards of offense between the teams. Both quarterbacks not only passed for over 350 yards but they also picked up over 65 yards on the ground. Unfortunately, one quarterback just took care of the ball better. The magic of Russell Wilson just wasn’t there for him on SNF and the Seahawks lost in overtime 37-34 to the Cardinals and Murray. 

If you just watched the first half of this game, you would have assumed going to sleep that the Seahawks were going to win and it would be an easy day at the office for Russell Wilson.  Russ was cooking and already had two touchdowns passing and over 40 yards rushing. Tyler Lockett was going off with almost 100 yards and two touchdowns. Even with Carson going out early in the game, they still had a rushing touchdown by Carlos Hyde. This Seahawks offense was rolling and other than a brain fart on the part of Wilson, they would have been up by three scores at the half. Luckily the defense stopped them after the pick and the return, and DK Metcalf showed again how he is not human. He hawked down Budda Baker and stopped a potential 90 plus yard pick-six to set up the defense for the stop. 

Even with all that going the Cardinals still seemed composed and like they were still in the game. They did get D-Hop involved early on with a 37-yard touchdown catch that just was a beautiful play. As well they ended the half getting a quick field goal to cut the lead some. 

The second half is when things got truly interesting. After punts from each team, the defenses stepped up and grabbed picks on each of the quarterbacks. Then went on to score back to back touchdowns to make the game close. With the Seahawks up by three with about two minutes left, most people would have assumed that they should be able to run out the clock and finish the game. Yet, they got stopped and left a minute on the clock for Murray and that offense to try for the win. 

Murray moved them down the field with big plays from Chase Edmonds in the passing game, and set up a game-tying field goal attempt. Zane Gonzalez hit it from 44 yards out and brought the game into overtime. In overtime, the Seahawks received the ball and Russ tried for another one of his signature game-winning drives. Unluckily for him, the Cardinals defense finally showed up and forced the Seahawks to punt and gave Kyler the chance to win. In less than three minutes, Murray moved his team into field goal range and they decided to go for the win. Gonzalez nailed the field goal but due to the play clock almost hitting zero, Kingsbury called timeout and iced his kicker. On the next attempt, he missed it wide left. 

Again, Russell Wilson had a chance to make the game-winning drive but got stifled by a defense he was carving up for most of the night. After getting the ball moving, Wilson passes to Metcalf and he takes it up the sideline for 48 yards and a score. At least they thought it was a score until the flags came out and it’s offensive holding on Seattle. In the next play, Wilson passes short middle and gets picked off by the rookie LB Isaiah Simmons. After a few run plays to solidify the spot, the Cardinals send Gonzalez back out there for the game-winning field goal. This time he nailed it and the Cardinals won in overtime. 

The biggest takeaway from this game was that the Cardinals are serious players this year and the Seahawks will live and die by Russell Wilson. Murray is showing more improvements this year with new weapon Deandre Hopkins and a full year with Kenyan Drake at RB. As well that defense is showing it can step up when need be. The Seahawks defense is on a historically bad pace and averaging over 475 yards allowed per game. If Russ doesn’t put up at least 30 plus points, this team will lose more often than not. 

Writer

-By: Darren Braxton