Glendale, Ariz. — Drew Lock stepped into the starting lineup with the pressure of replacing an injured quarterback.
He responded with one of the best performances of his recent career.
Lock threw three touchdown passes, all to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the Seattle Seahawks pulled away from the Arizona Cardinals for a convincing 31-7 victory Sunday at State Farm Stadium.
The defending Super Bowl champions improved to 2-0 and extended their dominance over their NFC West rival, winning their 10th consecutive game against Arizona dating to 2022.
For the Cardinals, the afternoon was a struggle from start to finish.
Arizona managed only 150 total yards, while its home losing streak reached eight games, stretching back 360 days.
Lock Wastes Little Time
Lock’s first start since the final week of the 2024 season couldn’t have begun much better.
On Seattle’s second offensive play, the Cardinals’ secondary lost Smith-Njigba in coverage.
Lock immediately recognized the mistake.
He delivered a perfectly placed pass to Smith-Njigba, who caught it in stride and raced 82 yards for a touchdown.
The Seahawks had their early 7-0 lead.
Smith-Njigba would continue causing problems for Arizona’s defense throughout the afternoon.
The fourth-year receiver finished with nine catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns, producing one of the most impressive statistical performances of his career.
Cardinals Fight Back
Arizona eventually found an answer.
Jacoby Brissett led the Cardinals on a scoring drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to All-Pro tight end Trey McBride on the opening play of the second quarter.
The touchdown tied the game at 7-7.
Seattle had an opportunity to regain the lead before halftime, driving all the way to the Arizona 1-yard line.
The Cardinals’ defense refused to give in.
The Seahawks were stopped on fourth down, keeping the game tied heading into halftime.
But whatever momentum Arizona had built disappeared quickly after the break.
Seattle Takes Control
The turning point came on the opening kickoff of the second half.
Rashid Shaheed fumbled the return, but Seattle teammate Chazz Surratt recovered the loose ball and raced 35 yards to the Arizona 37.
Seattle immediately had excellent field position.
The Seahawks didn’t waste it.
Lock found Smith-Njigba on a crossing route for a 7-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, putting Seattle back in front 14-7.
Arizona then made another costly mistake.
Brissett’s pass was intercepted by Seattle safety Julian Love, who made an impressive sliding catch just before the ball reached the turf.
The interception gave the Seahawks possession at the Arizona 44.
Jason Myers followed with a 33-yard field goal, extending Seattle’s advantage to 17-7.
The Seahawks were beginning to pull away.
Smith-Njigba Finishes the Job
Seattle’s defense continued to suffocate Arizona while Lock remained in command.
Early in the fourth quarter, Lock connected with Smith-Njigba for a 12-yard touchdown, giving the receiver his third touchdown of the afternoon and pushing the Seahawks’ lead to 24-7.
The Cardinals never recovered.
What had been a competitive game at halftime turned into a one-sided affair as Seattle scored the final 24 points.
Lock finished with 235 passing yards and three touchdowns, making a strong case for himself while Darnold recovers from the glute injury he suffered in Seattle’s season opener against New England.
Lock had also played effectively after entering that game, completing 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown.
Cardinals Struggle on Offense
Brissett couldn’t generate the same offensive success Arizona displayed in its season opener.
The Cardinals opened the season with an impressive 26-14 road victory over the Chargers, but Seattle’s defense presented a much tougher challenge.
Brissett finished with just 95 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love led Arizona with only 29 rushing yards.
McBride remained heavily involved in the passing game, catching eight passes for 41 yards, but the Cardinals couldn’t consistently move the football.
Seattle’s defense held Arizona to just 150 total yards.
Seahawks Defense Closes the Door
Once Seattle regained the lead, its defense took over.
The Love interception gave the Seahawks another short field, and Arizona struggled to sustain possessions the rest of the afternoon.
Seattle’s defense repeatedly forced the Cardinals into difficult situations, allowing the Seahawks’ offense to control field position and the clock.
By the fourth quarter, the outcome was no longer in doubt.
The Seahawks had turned a 7-7 halftime tie into a 31-7 victory.
Injuries
Seattle defensive lineman Brandon Pili was evaluated for a concussion, while running back Jadarian Price left in the second half with a chest injury.
Arizona cornerback Max Melton left in the third quarter with a toe injury, and cornerback Will Johnson exited in the fourth quarter with a neck injury.
What’s Next:
The Seahawks will travel to Washington next Sunday looking to remain unbeaten.
The Cardinals face another NFC West challenge when they travel to San Francisco.
For Seattle, Sunday’s victory showed the defending champions can remain dangerous even when their starting quarterback is unavailable.
