ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ defense dominant in tie vs. Seahawks

Oct 24, 2016, 9:45 AM | Updated: 4:10 pm

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) forces Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russel...

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) forces Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) to fumble during the second half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks recovered the ball and had to punt. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — For the first 60 minutes, the Arizona Cardinals’ defense outright dominated the Seattle Seahawks’ offense.

The Seahawks’ first first down came in the second quarter; they visited Arizona’s side of the field just once, and it came after a blocked punt that was recovered at the Cardinals’ 22. The ensuing scoring drive went zero yards.

In fact, just three times all night did the Seahawks cross midfield, with two of them coming in overtime. Whether they were attempting to attack via the ground or through the air, the Cardinals had an answer.

In what resulted in a 6-6 tie, the Cardinals surrendered just 257 net yards, as the Seahawks converted just 3-of-14 third downs and averaged a paltry 4.5 yards per offensive play. Yet, safety Tyrann Mathieu was adamant that this was not the best the defense has to offer.

“Because we didn’t score a touchdown; we didn’t catch an interception,” he said. “We didn’t really change the football game at all. the score is tied up. So, we played well but we didn’t play well enough.”

“Get the takeaway,” linebacker Markus Golden said of what more the defense could have done. “We could’ve got more takeaways, could’ve stopped them from getting six points. That could’ve won’t the game right there. So we could’ve done better, stopping them from getting six points and we would’ve had the win.”

Standards are high, to say the least.

“I have to watch the film before I can say that,” defensive lineman Calais Campbell said when asked to rank this performance among others. “We have had some good games over the years, but this one has to be up there.”

Whatever the Seahawks wanted to do Sunday night, the Cardinals had a counter. Seattle gained just 52 yards on 19 rushing attempts, while QB Russell Wilson completed 24-of-37 passes for 225 yards, or a pedestrian 6.10 yards per attempt. The QB, limited in mobility by a leg injury, was avoiding a relentless pass rush most of the night, and deserves credit for being sacked just once.

Of course, six offensive holding calls — five of which were accepted — may have helped keep Wilson upright, at least some of the time.

“Yeah, they probably could have called three more,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said. “The guys up front, we were getting there and the four-man rush, didn’t have to pressure much.”

Linebacker Chandler Jones, who recorded the lone sack (and forced a fumble on the play), was also credited with three QB hits, while linebacker Markus Golden knocked Wilson down once. Campbell also got a shot on Wilson, and often times when the Cardinals weren’t quite getting to the passer, their presence caused him to scramble and throw off target.

“Well, we’ve never had two edge rushers like Chandler and Markus,” Mathieu said. “Let’s call it what it is: their offensive line is not that good. So, we felt like we could get pressure on them, which we did a bunch of times tonight.”

The pass rush was providing the pressure, and the secondary was locking down the receivers. For most of the night the Seahawks had nowhere to go, and when they did complete a pass there wasn’t much room to run with the ball.

“We definitely, all week, we knew we had to tackle well,” safety Tony Jefferson said. “Open space, we were going to have opportunities to make open-field tackles, and I think we did a good job of that tonight.”

The Seahawks’ first nine drives ended with punts.

“I thought we did play well as a defense,” cornerback Patrick Peterson said. “We tackled well; we didn’t have any busted coverages. I believe we’re now turning the corner as a secondary. We have so many new faces plugged in here at the beginning of the season. Now guys understand how to play with one another. Guys understand the scheme now. So it’s definitely a pleasure and a blast to see us go out there and have fun for 60 minutes and to play with relentless effort and give our team the best opportunity to win.”

The Cardinals had a chance, but just could not come through. Defensively they have now gone nine consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown, and have the look of one of the NFL’s elite groups, but despite all that happened on that side of the ball, there is still a feeling of wanting more.

Based on what transpired Sunday night, they might be on the verge of getting it. Linebacker Kevin Minter thinks the team is “making a mean step forward” on the defensive side of the ball, with a group of players who are hunting.

“We’re starting to look like the defense we’re supposed to look like, we’re supposed to look like from the beginning,” he said. “We’re going to get better and I feel like the cards are going to fall into place for us.”

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