Seattle Seahawks Rally Past Arizona Cardinals in Thrilling Finish

Glendale, Arizona – The Seattle Seahawks pulled off a dramatic 23-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football, with quarterback Sam Darnold leading a late-game surge that resulted in a game-winning field goal.

Darnold, returning to State Farm Stadium for the first time since a tough NFC Wild Card loss as a member of the Minnesota Vikings last season, was under pressure once again. This matchup, however, ended on a high note for the Seahawks as they improved to a 3-1 record. “Sam’s playing out of his mind right now,” commented head coach Mike Macdonald. “You see him and he’s just like such a cool customer. He’s a guy on a mission.”

The game’s turning point came with just 28 seconds left. After a kickoff gaffe by the Cardinals, Darnold took over on his own 40-yard line. Showing poise, he completed a crucial 22-yard pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, setting up Jason Myers for the game-winning field goal. This rally marked Darnold’s seventh game-winning drive since 2024, which ties him with Patrick Mahomes for the most in the NFL during that timeframe.

Despite not having a flashy stat line, Darnold played efficiently, finishing with 18 completions on 26 attempts for 242 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown pass to AJ Barner in the first half. He maintained a strong quarterback rating of 111.4 and did not commit any turnovers.

Throughout the game, the Seahawks appeared in control, leading 20-6 at one point. However, a late surge from the Cardinals, led by quarterback Kyler Murray, brought the game to a tie. Darnold, unfazed by the changing tides, executed his final moments with precision. “To be honest, not really. It’s just another game,” Darnold said, reflecting on his previous struggles in the same stadium.

As the game concluded, the Seahawks celebrated their victory, having found resilience despite a hiccup in the fourth quarter. Darnold’s performance is a promising sign for Seattle as they hopeful for a strong season ahead.

Looking ahead, the Seahawks will aim to build on this win and focus on upcoming matchups, while the Cardinals will need to regroup and assess their performance moving forward.