GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Marshawn Lynch had a 6-yard touchdown run after sitting out the first quarter and Seattle’s defense dominated Arizona, helping the Seahawks build a 14-6 lead over the Cardinals after three quarter Sunday night.
Lynch did not play in the opening quarter because of an upset stomach, but was back in the lineup to start the second. He took a handoff right and fought through a couple of tackles on his scoring run, reaching the ball over the goal line just before going down.
Russell Wilson hurt the Cardinals with his arm and his legs, throwing for 242 yards and running for 83 more. He also had a touchdown pass in the second quarter, rolling right and throwing on the run to Luke Willson, who outran the defense for an 80-yard touchdown.
Steven Hauschka missed three field goals and the Seahawks had 10 penalties for 92 yards, but their defense controlled the Cardinals for most of the night.
Arizona had 64 yards and one sustained drive in the first half, which resulted in Matt Catanzaro’s 27-yard field goal after a false-start penalty.
The Cardinals put together another drive late in the third quarter, ending with Catanzaro’s 32-yard field goal.
Arizona had 121 total yards after three quarters.
A packed house of towel-waving fans filled University of Phoenix Stadium for one of the biggest games in Arizona history.
The Cardinals, despite a litany of injuries, had already clinched a playoff berth and could clinch the NFC West and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win – possibly all the way to the Super Bowl back here in February.
The Seahawks, arguably the NFL’s hottest team, would inch closer to winning the NFC West with a victory in the desert, though still would likely need to beat St. Louis at home to clinch. The defending Super Bowl champions locked up a playoff spot with a win by Dallas and Philadelphia’s loss.
The Seahawks won the first game between the teams, 19-3 in Seattle on Nov. 23, and were road favorites over the Cardinals in the rematch.
Part of it was because of Arizona’s injuries, particularly at quarterback.
Drew Stanton, who replaced injured Carson Palmer, was under center for that game, but he is out with a right knee injury, leaving the Cardinals in the hands of Ryan Lindley.
Signed from San Diego’s practice squad, Lindley threw 10 passes in relief of Stanton in last week’s 12-6 win over St. Louis and got the starting nod over rookie Logan Thomas against Seattle.
Lindley was out of synch except for a few good throws to set up Catanzaro’s field goal, hitting 9 of 26 passes for 114 yards through three quarters.
The Seahawks have rounded into form at the end of the season, riding four-game winning streak in Sunday’s game behind the NFL’s No. 1 defense.
Seattle allowed 27 total points and an average of 188 yards per game during its streak, with 16 sacks.
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