Grading the Seahawks’ 27-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals
Published 1:30 am Sunday, December 30, 2018
Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 27-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at CenturyLink Field:
OFFENSE
It’s hard to believe this is the same unit that was so spectacular a week earlier against AFC No. 1 seed Kansas City. It all began with the pass protection, which clearly missed the presence of starting guards D.J. Fluker and J.R. Sweezy, as Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked six times, matching a season high. The running game racked up 182 yards, but its effectiveness was limited beyond Chris Carson’s 61-yard burst. Wilson made the big play when it was needed most, connecting with Tyler Lockett for a 37-yard completion to set up the game-winning field goal. But when Doug Baldwin is dropping passes you know it’s a bad day at the office for the Seahawks’ offense.
Grade: D+
DEFENSE
While allowing 24 points to the worst offense in the NFL doesn’t look good, almost none of that is the responsibility of the defense, which was put in tough spots all day because of mistakes by the offense and special teams. Seattle allowed just 198 yards, which was the second fewest this season, and the defensive line duo of Frank Clark and Jarran Reed wreaked havoc as the Seahawks matched a season high with six sacks of their own. Clark’s strip sack midway through the fourth quarter with the score tied 21-21 was a huge moment.
Grade: A-
SPECIAL TEAMS
Yes, Sebastian Janikowski made a 33-yard field goal as time expired to win it. But otherwise Seattle’s special teams nearly lost the game for the Seahawks. Seattle had two punts blocked, including one for a touchdown, and also allowed a 45-yard punt return. Those three moments, which set the Cardinals up on short fields, directly resulted in 18 of Arizona’s 24 points and allowed the Cardinals to stay in the game despite accomplishing next to nothing on offense.
Grade: D-
COACHING
The Seahawks, already locked into a wild card playoff spot, decided to play for the win instead of resting anyone, and although it resulted in a victory it didn’t exactly instill confidence. Seattle never did figure out how to handle Arizona’s third-down blitz, which caused five of the Cardinals’ sacks. There was a good moment in the first quarter when, after Wilson was intercepted by David Amerson jumping a slant route, the Seahawks adjusted and got a wide open 29-yard touchdown pass to Lockett on a hitch-and-go.
Grade: C-
OVERALL
The victory gave Seattle a 10-win season and assured the Seahawks the No. 5 seed in the NFC. However, given it was a last-second win at home against the team that will have the first overall pick in April’s NFL draft, it wasn’t the ideal way to head into the postseason. Seattle will face a much stiffer test at Dallas next weekend, and the Seahawks will have to play much better if they want their playoff stay to be anything more than a cameo.
Grade: C-
– Nick Patterson, Herald writer
