The Seattle Seahawks relied on an unrelenting defensive performance on Sunday afternoon to secure a 17-3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. In a physical clash dominated by field position and disciplined tackling, Seattle controlled the flow of the game from the opening kickoff.
Quarterback Drew Lock provided the steady hand Seattle required, passing for 175 yards and the contest's only passing touchdown. That scoring strike gave Seattle all the cushion it needed as their defensive unit stifled Gardner Minshew II throughout the entire matchup.
Arizona struggled to find any consistent offensive rhythm against Seattle's front, settling for a solitary field goal across four quarters of play. The 14-point margin demonstrated Seattle's complete command over a gritty contest during the 2026 NFL Regular Season.
The decisive moment
The defining stretch arrived when Seattle extended its advantage to 14 points, establishing a two-score lead that proved insurmountable. Against a locked-in Seattle defense, Arizona could not piece together the chunk plays needed to mount a comeback. That cushion allowed the hosts to dictate clock management and close out the victory without panic.
By the numbers
- Drew Lock paced Seattle with 175 yards through the air and one touchdown pass.
- Gardner Minshew II accounted for 166 passing yards and zero touchdowns for the Cardinals.
- The squads combined for just 20 total points in a vintage defensive battle.
- Blake Gillikin punted for 269 yards for Arizona, while Michael Dickson registered 228 yards for Seattle.
- Seattle overcame injuries to Rashid Shaheed, Jacardia Wright, and Terrion Arnold.
- Arizona played without the services of Jon Gaines II, Bam Knight, and Jayden Williams.
The heavy reliance on special teams told the true tale of this defensive showdown. Both Blake Gillikin and Michael Dickson repeatedly pinned offenses deep in their own territory, transforming the afternoon into a territorial war of attrition where points were at an absolute premium.
What it means
The result affirms Seattle's ability to win low-scoring battles through structural discipline and sound execution during the 2026 NFL Regular Season. While the offensive output was modest, Drew Lock's steady stewardship avoided costly turnovers. For Arizona, the loss exposes critical questions about sustained drive generation and pass protection that must be addressed swiftly.
What to watch next
Seattle will seek to carry this defensive intensity forward while exploring ways to generate more explosive scoring drives. Meanwhile, Arizona must regroup during weekly preparations to help Gardner Minshew II find answers and restore rhythm to a stalled unit.