By Harshit | September 27, 2025 | Glendale, Arizona | 10:45 AM EDT
The Seattle Seahawks escaped State Farm Stadium with a dramatic 23-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football, as Jason Myers converted a 52-yard field goal at the buzzer to deny Arizona’s late comeback.
Seattle Survives Late Scare
Seattle appeared to be in full control, holding a 20-6 lead midway through the fourth quarter after quarterback Sam Darnold engineered a pair of scoring drives capped by a touchdown pass and a rushing score from Zach Charbonnet.
But the Cardinals, who had been plagued by turnovers earlier in the night, roared back with two late touchdowns to tie the game at 20-20. The equalizer came with just under a minute to play, silencing the traveling contingent of Seahawks fans and igniting hopes of an overtime thriller.
Those hopes were short-lived. Darnold took possession with 28 seconds remaining and calmly marched his team into field goal range, hitting DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on back-to-back completions. With two seconds on the clock, Myers delivered the decisive kick, sending the Seahawks to 3-1 on the season.
Darnold’s Leadership Shines
Darnold, acquired by Seattle in the offseason after a career-best campaign with the Minnesota Vikings, finished the game with 242 passing yards, one touchdown, and no turnovers. His poise in the closing moments marked his seventh game-winning drive since the start of the 2024 season — tying Patrick Mahomes for the most in that span.
Head coach Mike Macdonald praised his quarterback’s performance after the win.
“He’s playing out of his mind right now,” Macdonald said. “You see him and he’s just such a cool customer. He’s a guy on a mission. He’s so determined for us to be a great team and a great offense. He’s doing a great job leading us.”
Darnold downplayed any narrative of personal redemption tied to the venue. In January, he had suffered a one-sided playoff defeat with Minnesota at the same stadium, as the Vikings’ Wild Card game was relocated due to California wildfires.
“To be honest, not really. It’s just another game,” Darnold said. “Obviously, it’s in the same stadium, but it’s Week 4 and we did a good job today. There’s a lot of stuff that we can clean up but I’m going to enjoy this three-day break and watch some Ryder Cup.”
Cardinals Falter Despite Rally
For Arizona, the night encapsulated the highs and lows of a developing team. Quarterback Kyler Murray threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns but was undone by two costly first-half interceptions, both targeting second-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
The first turnover came when Harrison stopped short on his route, allowing Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen to undercut the pass. The second was a deflection off Harrison’s hands, landing in the arms of linebacker Ernest Jones.
Harrison, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft, redeemed himself in the fourth quarter by hauling in a 16-yard touchdown reception that sparked Arizona’s comeback. He finished with six receptions for 72 yards, though the early miscues underscored the inconsistency that has dogged his young NFL career.
Murray shouldered responsibility for the struggles while highlighting Harrison’s resilience. “That’s on me. I’ve got to give him better chances to make plays,” Murray said. “But the way he responded down the stretch shows you why we believe in him. He’s going to be a star in this league.”
Defensive Swings Define the Game
Seattle’s defense played a pivotal role, forcing three turnovers and pressuring Murray throughout the contest. Ernest Jones’ interception was complemented by a strip-sack from Boye Mafe that halted a promising Cardinals drive in the third quarter.
Still, the Seahawks nearly squandered their efforts by conceding 14 points in the final six minutes. Arizona’s quick-strike scores highlighted Seattle’s lingering vulnerability to momentum shifts, an issue that will concern the coaching staff despite the win.
Season Outlook
At 3-1, the Seahawks remain firmly in the early NFC playoff picture, buoyed by Darnold’s seamless transition into the offense and a defense capable of generating timely takeaways. With upcoming games against the 49ers and Rams, Seattle will face tougher challenges in the division race.
The Cardinals, now 2-2, are showing flashes of competitiveness under head coach Jonathan Gannon but continue to struggle with consistency. Murray’s ability to reduce turnovers and Harrison Jr.’s development will be critical to the team’s progression in the weeks ahead.
A Statement Victory
For Seattle, Thursday’s victory was less about style and more about resilience. Surviving a furious late rally and relying on a composed quarterback and a clutch kicker, the Seahawks earned a divisional win that could prove significant later in the season.
As the players left the field in Glendale, the scoreboard told the story: Seattle 23, Arizona 20 — a night when composure, not panic, defined the difference.
