Seahawks Snatch Victory from Cardinals in Dramatic Finish, New Kickoff Rules Play a Key Role
Seattle, WA – A last-minute field goal by Jason Myers secured a 23-20 victory for the Seattle Seahawks over the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night, a game dramatically impacted by the NFL’s new kickoff rules. The controversial change, designed to increase kickoff returns, ultimately proved decisive, gifting Seattle prime field position after a short Cardinals kick in the game’s waning seconds.
After a furious fourth-quarter rally saw the Cardinals erase a 14-point deficit and tie the game, Arizona’s hopes were dashed by a kickoff that failed to reach the end zone - a critical error under the new regulations. The kick, treated as out of bounds, allowed the Seahawks to begin their game-winning drive from their own 40-yard line.
Quarterback Sam Darnold quickly moved the chains, connecting wiht Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a significant gain to the arizona 38. A subsequent run play set up Myers for a 52-yard attempt, which he calmly converted, sending the Seahawks to 3-1 on the season.
The game’s outcome hinged on a series of momentum swings. Seattle’s defence,a consistent strength this season despite a Week 1 loss to the 49ers,stifled the Cardinals’ offense for the majority of the contest.Early struggles from Cardinals quarterback Kyler