The Seattle Seahawks survived a late fightback from the Arizona Cardinals to secure a hard-fought 23-20 victory on Thursday Night Football. It was a game of ups and downs, with big plays, missed chances, and late drama keeping fans glued until the final whistle.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Steps Up When It Matters
For most of the night, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked quiet. He didn’t register a catch until late in the third quarter and even gave away a costly holding penalty that wiped out a Kenneth Walker III touchdown run.
But when the Seahawks needed a spark, the young receiver delivered:
Four catches for 79 yards in the final 16 minutes.
Two critical third-down conversions, including a 36-yard grab.
A 22-yard reception on the last drive, setting up Jason Myers’ game-winning field goal.
Despite Myers missing a 53-yard attempt minutes earlier, Smith-Njigba’s heroics put Seattle back in control.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Finds Redemption
The Cardinals made it a priority to involve Marvin Harrison Jr. early, but it was far from smooth sailing.
Both of Kyler Murray’s interceptions came on throws targeting Harrison.
Miscommunication on routes saw one pass cut short, and another bobbled into the arms of Seattle’s Ernest Jones.
Frustration showed, as Arizona’s most promising drives collapsed.
However, in the fourth quarter, Harrison found rhythm:
Caught a stunning touchdown from Murray.
Added four more receptions in the final period.
The second-half version of Harrison gave fans hope – but questions remain about his slow start.
Sam Darnold Shows Composure in Key Moments
The Seahawks dominated much of the game, but Sam Darnold’s steady leadership proved decisive.
Closed the first half with a seven-play, 90-yard touchdown drive, capped by smart improvisation.
Made a brilliant 32-yard throw on the run to Elijah Arroyo and a 24-yard scramble.
Kept the Seahawks in scoring range throughout the fourth quarter.
Though Myers’ earlier miss left the door open for Arizona, Darnold’s late strike to Smith-Njigba sealed the win. Slowly, Darnold is building a reputation as a clutch performer under pressure.
Kyler Murray’s Late Rally Falls Short
For three quarters, Kyler Murray struggled. He missed open throws, looked frustrated, and couldn’t find rhythm with his receivers. Arizona’s attack had managed just one touchdown in its previous eight quarters, and history looked set to repeat itself.
But in the final six minutes, Murray suddenly caught fire:
Two late touchdown passes brought Arizona back into the contest.
A stunning 16-yard strike to Harrison Jr. had only a 26% chance of being completed, according to Next Gen Stats.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the comeback started too late. Their early wasted chances proved costly.
Seahawks’ Defence Stands Tall
Seattle’s defence deserves credit despite the tense finish.
14 defenders registered at least one pressure on Murray.
Uchenna Nwosu was the only player with more than two pressures.
Despite losing Demarcus Lawrence to injury, the Seahawks kept Murray uncomfortable for most of the night.
The only blemish came when Seattle settled for field goals instead of touchdowns – a decision that nearly backfired. Myers redeemed himself with the winner, but head coach Mike Macdonald will know his team let the Cardinals hang around too long.
Key Stats and Records
Next Gen Stats: Murray’s touchdown to Harrison Jr. had the ninth-lowest completion probability of the season at just 26%.
NFL Research: Veteran Calais Campbell recorded a sack in the first quarter. His first-ever sack against the Seahawks came back in 2009.
Final Takeaway
The Seahawks improve their record with a crucial win, but it was far from straightforward. Seattle’s offence clicked at times but left points on the board, while Arizona showed grit with a late surge.
Seattle fans will be encouraged by Smith-Njigba’s growth and Darnold’s composure.
Cardinals fans will take positives from Harrison Jr.’s second-half revival and Murray’s late energy – but also wonder why it took so long.
In the end, it was Seattle’s resilience that made the difference in a gripping Thursday Night Football showdown.
Sources: NFL.com, Next Gen Stats, NFL Research
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