GLENDALE, AZ-The Arizona Cardinals (now 3-3-1) hosted the Seattle Seahawks (now 4-1-1) in what will become one of the most befuddling match-ups ever, at least for this season. Fans from both teams left University of Phoenix Stadium after the game feeling about as anxious and perplexed as they did before the game began. With the Cardinals and the Seahawks tied 6-6 at the end of OT on Sunday night, the game just ended, they turned out the lights, and the fans went home.
Football experts could never have predicted this kind of outcome, not in a million years. Which is the best team in the NFC West division? Even days after the unwarranted roller coaster ride of unexplainable miscues, questionable calls, and squandered opportunities, the question still remains.
Arizona Cardinals Week Seven Takeaways
“It’s always an emotional rollercoaster,” said Coach Bruce Arians, after the game. “It’s the highs and lows, because it’s two good football teams battling it out.”
In reference to his team, Coach Arians also said, “Come to work tomorrow, you didn’t lose. You played one hell of a football game.”
A Little About the Game
When a team is held to zero points in the first half and then only six points overall in a game, the opposing defense (the Cardinals defense) did their job. And what a job they did!
There were no sacks recorded for the Cardinals, no interceptions, but the team remained resolute against the Seahawks running game. Seahawks running back Christine Michael was held to only 52 yards out of 16 attempts, and no touchdowns. Against the pass, though Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson finished 24-of-37 for 225 yards, he couldn’t find a way to move the chains on third down opportunities and the Seahawks relied on their punting team throughout most of the game.
The Cardinals offense squandered three chances at least to put this game away. Part of the blame (most of the blames) goes to the kicking team, but the Seahawks defensive stance was very credible in keeping quarterback Carson Palmer from making connections in the end zone. Credit the Seahawks defense also for finding a way to contain running back David Johnson. Johnson is the offense for the Cardinals and finished the day with 113 yards on the ground, 58 receiving yards, and no touchdowns.
The Greatest Takeaway
The greatest takeaway of the game was watching Seahawks coach Pete Carroll so elated after kicker Chandler Catanzaro missed by banging a 25-yard field goal attempt off the left upright. With 3:19 remaining on the OT clock, the Seahawks took over on offense and Wilson drove his team down the field with new life and apparent ease.
It was a golden opportunity for the Seahawks to steal this victory from the Cardinals. Setting up a 28-yard field goal attempt with 11 seconds left, coach Carroll and his Seahawks were confident they had this one in the bag. The tension was thick in the building and it hung in the air like gravy. Seahawks kicker Steve Hauschka came onto the field, took the snap, and…missed wide left.
For the Record
Only three times since the NFL/AFL merger in 1966 has a game ended in a 6-6 tie. All three games were played against the Cardinals. Sunday night’s match-up was the lowest scoring overtime tie game in NFL history.
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals will be without wide receiver Jaron Brown (torn ACL) when they are on the road next Sunday to face the Carolina Panthers. It’s a huge loss to the Cardinals as Brown will be out for the remainder of the season. There is also no word yet whether wide receiver John Brown will be available on Sunday. Game time for Sunday’s Match-up is 10am MST on FOX.
