Seahawks overpower Cardinals 44-22 with Lawrence scoring two fumble return TDs
The Seattle Seahawks dominated the Arizona Cardinals in a 44-22 victory, highlighted by DeMarcus Lawrence’s historic performance.
Why it matters: This win not only solidifies the Seahawks' position in the playoff race but also showcases their defensive prowess, particularly through forced turnovers and scoring plays.
- Lawrence’s two fumble return touchdowns mark him as the fourth player in NFL history to achieve this feat in a single game, exemplifying a defensive effort that had been lacking prior to this matchup.
What’s new: The Seahawks displayed a remarkable turnaround in their defensive strategy against the Cardinals.
- Prior to this game, Seattle had not forced a fumble all season, yet they managed to pressure quarterback Jacoby Brissett effectively, racking up five sacks and 10 quarterback hits.
By the numbers: The statistics from this game paint a vivid picture of the Seahawks’ dominance.
- Seattle finished with 22 quarterback pressures, the highest recorded by any team through nine games since ESPN began tracking this metric in 2009.
- The Seahawks’ offense was equally impressive, rushing for a season-high 198 yards and allowing rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to surpass 1,000 receiving yards for the season with five catches totaling 93 yards and a touchdown.
Yes, but: Despite the lopsided score, the Cardinals had moments where they could have shifted momentum.
- Both Brissett and fellow quarterback Sam Darnold contributed to turnovers, yet the inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities allowed the Seahawks to maintain control throughout the contest.
What’s next: Moving forward, the Seahawks will need to build on this defensive performance as they prepare for upcoming matchups against potentially tougher opponents.
- Coach Mike Macdonald emphasized the execution of the game plan, which bodes well for future games as the team continues to refine its defensive strategies.
The bottom line: The Seahawks’ commanding victory over the Cardinals demonstrates their potential as a playoff contender, with key players like DeMarcus Lawrence stepping up when it matters most.
- As Lawrence himself noted, “I believe it's a testament of what we built in training camp... We've got a good thing going,” hinting at a strong foundation for continued success as the season progresses.
