The 2025 NFL season delivered two thrilling encounters between division rivals Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals, showcasing the stark contrast in team performance and individual brilliance. This comprehensive Seahawks vs Cardinals player stats breakdown reveals how Seattle’s dominant defensive pressure and balanced offensive attack overwhelmed Arizona in both matchups, solidifying their position as a playoff-caliber defense with championship aspirations.
Overview of the 2025 Matchups
The Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals analysis reveals a tale of two games where Seattle established complete dominance over their division rivals. Both contests highlighted the Cardinals offensive line struggles and Arizona Cardinals offensive struggles, while Seattle’s defensive dominance became the defining narrative of this rivalry renewal.
Game One: Seahawks 23 – Cardinals 20
The opening Seahawks Cardinals 2025 match recap featured a nail-biting finish where Seattle’s defense made crucial fourth-quarter stops. Despite the close scoreline, the Seahawks vs Cardinals box score revealed Seattle controlled the tempo through superior Seahawks time of possession (34:27 to Arizona’s 25:33) and critical defensive impact plays that shifted momentum when it mattered most.
Game Two: Seahawks 44 – Cardinals 22
The second matchup was a statement victory showcasing the Seahawks complete team performance. This NFL matchup performance breakdown demonstrated how Seattle’s relentless pass rush generated seven sacks and multiple turnovers, turning what could have been competitive into a dominant showcase of defensive football excellence.
Quarterback Performance Analysis
Sam Darnold’s Calm Efficiency for Seattle
The Seahawks quarterback delivered masterful performances in both games, proving why Seattle’s offensive consistency became a cornerstone of their success.
Game One Performance
Sam Darnold passing stats from the opening contest showed remarkable efficiency: 21-of-31 passing for 245 yards with 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions. His passer rating of 102.4 reflected smart decision-making under Cardinals quarterback pressure, completing crucial third-down conversions that kept drives alive.
| Statistic | Game One Performance |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 21/31 |
| Passing Yards | 245 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 102.4 |
Game Two Performance
Darnold elevated his play even further in the second meeting, completing 25-of-33 passes for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns. His ability to exploit Arizona’s secondary weaknesses while maintaining a 113.8 passer rating demonstrated why Seattle possesses a balanced offense capable of attacking through the air when needed.
Arizona’s Quarterback Struggles Under Pressure
The Cardinals’ signal-callers faced relentless harassment from Seattle’s defensive line pressure throughout both contests.
Kyler Murray’s Game One Stats
Kyler Murray performance vs Seahawks in the opening game showed flashes of brilliance mixed with concerning struggles. Murray completed 18-of-32 passes for 189 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 costly interceptions. The Seahawks sacks and turnovers (4 sacks total) disrupted his rhythm consistently, forcing hurried throws and poor decisions.
Jacoby Brissett’s Game Two Stats
Jacoby Brissett Cardinals stats painted an even grimmer picture in the second matchup. Facing constant pressure, Brissett managed just 15-of-28 passing for 142 yards with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. Seattle’s pass rush recorded 7 sacks, completely dismantling Arizona’s offensive game plan and exposing fundamental Cardinals consistency issues.
Rushing Game Performance
Seattle’s Running Back Duo: Walker & Charbonnet
The Seahawks rushing attack proved instrumental in controlling game tempo and wearing down Arizona’s defense.
Game One Rushing Summary
Kenneth Walker III rushing yards totaled 87 yards on 18 carries, averaging a solid 4.8 yards per attempt. His physical running style set the tone early, while Zach Charbonnet added 52 yards on 11 carries with a crucial 8-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that extended Seattle’s lead.
Game Two Rushing Summary
The second game showcased an explosive ground attack: Walker amassed 124 rushing yards on 22 carries with 2 touchdowns, while Zach Charbonnet touchdown run highlights included a spectacular 23-yard scoring burst. Combined, they totaled 189 rushing yards, exemplifying the Seahawks balanced offense philosophy.
Arizona’s Rushing Struggles
The Arizona Cardinals rushing stats revealed a concerning inability to establish any ground game. In Game One, their leading rusher managed just 43 yards on 14 carries. Game Two was even worse 38 total team rushing yards as Seattle’s defensive front completely shut down any running lanes. This one-dimensional approach made the Cardinals passing efficiency suffer tremendously.
Receiving Game Insights
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Shines for Seattle
The emerging star became a favorite target and key component of Seattle’s aerial success.
Game One
Jaxon Smith-Njigba receiving yards reached 94 yards on 7 receptions, including a spectacular 38-yard touchdown catch where he beat double coverage. His route-running precision created separation consistently.
Game Two
Smith-Njigba dominated with 8 catches for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns, establishing himself as Seattle’s primary receiving threat. His chemistry with Darnold grew evident through perfectly-timed routes and clutch third-down conversions.
Trey McBride Leads the Way for Arizona
Despite the team struggles, McBride emerged as Arizona’s most reliable offensive weapon.
Game Two Stats
Trey McBride receiving stats showcased 9 receptions for 98 yards, serving as Brissett’s security blanket. His ability to find soft spots in Seattle’s zone coverage provided rare bright spots in Arizona’s offensive struggles.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Shows His Potential
The rookie sensation flashed his immense talent despite limited opportunities. Marvin Harrison Jr rookie performance included 5 catches for 73 yards in Game One and 6 receptions for 81 yards in Game Two. Though the Seahawks receiving leaders outperformed him statistically, Harrison’s explosive potential remained evident.
Defensive Dominance: The True Game-Changer
DeMarcus Lawrence’s Historic Performance
Lawrence delivered a career-defining moment in Game Two with a defensive touchdown that shifted momentum permanently.
His fumble recovery returned 32 yards for a touchdown exemplified the Seahawks defensive touchdowns that demoralized Arizona. DeMarcus Lawrence fumble return TD came at a critical juncture, turning a close game into a commanding advantage.
Seattle’s Pass Rush: Relentless & Aggressive
The Seahawks pass rush stats were simply dominant: 11 total sacks across both games (4 in Game One, 7 in Game Two). Multiple defenders contributed, with the defensive line rotating fresh bodies to maintain constant Cardinals quarterback pressure. The Seahawks forced turnovers totaled 8 across both contests (5 interceptions, 3 fumbles recovered).
Arizona’s Defensive Highlights
Despite the losses, Arizona’s Cardinals red-zone defense showed resilience in Game One, limiting Seattle to field goals on three red-zone possessions. However, their inability to generate consistent pressure allowed Seattle to dictate offensive tempo.
Special Teams: The Unsung Heroes
Jason Myers’ Clutch Performance
The veteran kicker proved invaluable in tight situations. Jason Myers game-winning field goal in Game One a 47-yard kick with 2:14 remaining demonstrated ice-cold composure. His perfect 6-for-6 field goal performance across both games and flawless extra point conversions exemplified the Seahawks special teams performance excellence.
Momentum Swings & Key Takeaways
Seattle’s Defense Set the Tone
The Seahawks defensive performance established immediate physical dominance, with early sacks and hits forcing Arizona’s quarterbacks into uncomfortable quick releases.
Arizona’s Quarterback Pressure Led to Mistakes
Constant harassment resulted in poor decision-making, with Arizona’s quarterbacks throwing 5 combined interceptions when facing pressure.
Seattle’s Running Game Provided Balance
The 313 combined rushing yards across both games kept Arizona’s defense honest and controlled game flow, exemplifying Seahawks vs Cardinals game strategy.
Key Playmakers Stepped Up When Needed
Whether Smith-Njigba’s clutch receptions, Lawrence’s defensive touchdown, or Myers’ pressure kicks, Seattle had heroes emerge in crucial moments true Seahawks clutch plays.
Turnovers Determined Outcomes
The turnover differential (+8 across both games) told the complete story of Seattle’s dominance in this Seahawks Cardinals rivalry games.
Final Thoughts
This Seahawks vs Cardinals statistical comparison reveals Seattle’s evolution into a complete championship contender with elite defensive play, offensive balance, and special teams reliability. The Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals analysis demonstrates how comprehensive team performance trumps individual talent when execution falters. These Seahawks vs Cardinals key takeaways provide valuable insights into what separates playoff contenders from rebuilding teams in today’s NFL player performance review landscape.
FAQs
What was the final score in both Seahawks vs Cardinals games?
Seattle won Game One 23-20 and dominated Game Two 44-22.
How many sacks did Seattle record across both games?
The Seahawks recorded 11 total sacks (4 in Game One, 7 in Game Two).
Who was Seattle’s leading receiver?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba led with 221 combined receiving yards and 3 touchdowns across both games.
What were the main Cardinals offensive struggles?
Arizona faced constant quarterback pressure, rushing game ineffectiveness, and critical turnovers.
How did turnovers impact the games?
Seattle forced 8 turnovers while committing just 1, creating the decisive advantage.
