Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray wasn’t at his best on Sunday during the NFC West showdown between the Cardinals and Seahawks.
Zach Charbonnet was. The second-year Seahawks running back racked up 193 yards and two touchdowns from scrimmage in the best game of his career. Murray, meanwhile, threw two interceptions that Seattle converted into touchdowns in a 30-18 Seahawks win.
The win extended Seattle’s lead in a tight NFC West race with an 8-5 record. The Cardinals fell to 6-7 and missed a chance to tie the Seahawks at the top of the division.
At home, the Cardinals fell behind 17-7 in the first quarter from which they were unable to recover. Interceptions by Murray on Arizona’s second and third drives allowed the Seahawks to build their early lead.
Murray’s first interception came when the Cardinals had a 7-3 lead. A holding penalty on Arizona’s second play of the drive pushed the Cardinals to second-and-19. Murray threw a pass in a crowded Seahawks zone that cornerback Ernest Jones intercepted and returned to the Arizona 19-yard line.
One play later, Geno Smith found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 19-yard touchdown to give Seattle a 10-7 lead.
Murray’s second interception came on Arizona’s next play from scrimmage. Like his first, the Seahawks placed themselves in Cardinals territory. Murray then threw a deep pass down the left sideline, intended for Zay Jones. Instead, safety Coby Bryant picked it up.
The Seahawks cashed in five plays later with a one-yard Charbonnet touchdown run, his first of the day.
Charbonnet added his second score on a 51-yard run in the second quarter that extended Seattle’s lead to 24-10.
The Cardinals made sure the Seahawks didn’t run away with the game. But the 14-point deficit ultimately proved too much to overcome a Seattle that completed Arizona’s season sweep.
The Cardinals had a chance to cut their deficit to one possession midway through the fourth quarter. But Chad Ryland’s 40-yard field goal attempt hit the left side, sinking Arizona’s best hope for a comeback.
Charbonnet finished with 134 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards on seven catches. The 100-yard rushing effort was the first of his career as he took over the lead role for an injured Kenneth Walker (calf).
Murray completed 25 of 38 passes for 259 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions that ultimately put the Cardinals in too big of a hole. The Cardinals now need a strong finish and some breaks to get into the playoffs.
