Seahawks-Cardinals final score: Seahawks win 20-17 as time expires, but lose Earl Thomas

The Seattle Seahawks (2-2) once against beat the Arizona Cardinals (0-4) in Glendale, and it was like pulling teeth. Seattle’s running game burst to life with 171 yards, including 101 by Mike Davis, but the passing game was largely tepid once again, and the defense struggled to hold off rookie QB Josh Rosen in the 4th quarter. However, a Phil Dawson missed field goal gave the Seahawks a chance to win the game with under two minutes to go, and Russell Wilson and Mike Davis delivered. Sebastian Janikowski, who had missed twice in the 1st half, won the game with a 52-yarder at the buzzer.

Unfortunately, this was yet another appearance in Glendale in which the Seahawks suffered serious injuries. Will Dissly appeared to have suffered a serious knee injury in the opening quarter, while Earl Thomas was hurt on Arizona’s tying touchdown in the 4th quarter. Both men were carted off, and in Thomas’ case, if the injury is serious, it might be the last time we see Earl in a Seahawks uniform, just as what happened to Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor last season.

1st Half

The Seahawks began the game on offense, and it was a bright start for Mike Davis, who had 23 yards on his first two carries. A false start by D.J. Fluker and a failed 3rd and 6 in which Doug Baldwin only ran a five-yard route led to a punt. Arizona only managed one first-down before punting, as Jarran Reed picked up an easy sack on Josh Rosen.

Davis, who started for the injured Chris Carson, continued to tear up Arizona’s defense, running for a 20 yard touchdown with Wilson blocking downfield. The drive of course was unfortunately marred by what looks to have been a serious knee injury to TE Will Dissly. 7-0 Seahawks.

Literally one play later, the Seahawks got the ball back. David Johnson was stripped of the ball by Tre Flowers and Bradley McDougald was there to recover. Seattle unfortunately was victimized by another Brandon Marshall drop, but they did remain in field goal range. Sebastian Janikowski missed from 38, though. This was costly as the Cardinals were able to march down the field. Josh Rosen threw a touchdown into double coverage to Chad Williams, but it was reversed because Williams was out of bounds. Rosen still converted 3rd and 11 to the ageless Larry Fitzgerald to set the Cards up in the red zone. Justin Coleman made two pass break-ups in the end zone to prevent a tying touchdown, so Arizona settled for 3. 7-3 Seahawks.

Seattle went three-and-out on the next possession, with Baldwin again short of the sticks on a blitz. The defense came up big and answered with their own three-and-out of the Cardinals offense, and Tyler Lockett returned the punt to the Cardinals 48. Rashaad Penny picked up 14 yards on a toss to get the offense working again. David Moore made his first career NFL catch, fumbled it, recovered it and ran for a first-down... just as he’d planned. Seattle proceeded to go very backwards and into a 52-yard field goal. He missed it.

Josh Rosen found JJ Nelson open for a deep pass inside Seattle’s 10, but he dropped it. Another bad break for the rookie. David Johnson ripped a huge run of 21 yards after this gaffe (and a Quinton Jefferson hands to the face penalty). Faced with a 3rd down, Rosen beat the blitz and found Larry Fitzgerald for a short gain and a conversion to the Seattle 19. A pass interference on Justin Coleman led to 1st and goal at the 1, and David Johnson punched it in. 10-7 Cardinals.

The two-minute drill almost ended in a fluky deflection for an interception, but it was called incomplete on the field and the ruling on the field stood. Seattle did well to turn 2nd and 21 to 4th and 1. They went for it and Wilson got sacked by Chandler Jones. Arizona luckily missed a field goal to end the half.

2nd Half

Seattle’s defense got off to a strong start with a three-and-out, denying Josh Rosen the first-down on a scramble. The Seahawks offense finally got itself into gear again, primarily through the running game, including a rare Russell Wilson keeper on the zone-read. On 4th and 1 inside Arizona’s 30, Rashaad Penny gained 16 yards on the keeper. This almost meant nothing when Wilson fell on a toss play and lost 9 yards, as Penny recovered the ball. A 14-play, 57-yard drive culminated in a tying field goal by Sebastian Janikowski. 10-10.

A three-and-out was forced yet again by the Seahawks, and a nice return by Tyler Lockett also had 15 additional yards tacked on due to a penalty on Arizona, so the Seahawks would start at the Cardinals 47. Wilson took advantage by beating the blitz and finding David Moore for a catch-and-run of 30 yards. Two plays later, Nick Vannett was interfered with in the end zone, setting up the Seahawks at the 1. Davis plowed his way in for a touchdown, which was called back for an illegal formation. Holding on Patrick Peterson gifted the Seahawks some yards back and a fresh set of downs. Davis was able to run behind big D.J. Fluker and pushed his way across for his second touchdown. 17-10 Seahawks.

Arizona’s offensive struggles continued, as they only got one first-down before punting again. Seattle wasted another timeout and failed on 3rd and 1, putting them at 0-8 on third-down conversions. Ricky Seals-Jones gained 31 yards on a double move on Shaquill Griffin to get the Cardinals into Seattle territory. A screen pass put David Johnson down at the 19. Two plays later, Chad Williams tied the game on a touchdown grab in the end zone. Earl Thomas was injured on the play and carted off with an air cast on his leg. 17-17 with 8:53 to go.

Seattle responded on offense with a three-and-out. Rosen converted on third-down to David Johnson, then delivered a strike to Ricky Seals-Jones to inch Arizona closer to go-ahead field goal range. Another David Johnson conversion, this time on a run, drained the clock some more and the Cardinals were at the Seattle 30. Faced with 3rd and 6 after the two-minute warning, Arizona chose the safe play and ran it, prompting Seattle to call timeout. Phil Dawson from 45 yards... wide right!

Mike Davis gained 13 yards to get the Seahawks near midfield. Tyler Lockett gained 9 yards with 1:15 to go. Rashaad Penny picked up a first-down to the Cardinals 39. A quick throw to Doug Baldwin got the Seahawks to Arizona’s 34. A spike with 4 seconds left gave Janikowski a chance to win from 52 yards out. He got it! 20-17 Seahawks Final.

Seahawks injury report

TE Will Dissly took a hard hit from Antoine Bethea in the opening quarter and injured his right knee. He was carted off and did not return.

S Earl Thomas was injured on Arizona’s tying TD and did not return. He was carted off.

Next week’s opponent

The Seahawks return home to take on the Los Angeles Rams (4-0) on Sunday, October 7th at 1:25 PM PT on FOX.