Seahawks’ Thrilling Win Over Cardinals: Sam Darnold’s Brilliant Performance.In a thrilling Thursday night match at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. In Arizona, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Arizona. Cardinals 23-20. The hero of this victory was new quarterback Sam Darnold, who captured everyone’s attention with his composed and strategic playing style. In this article, we will discuss the key moments of this match, Darnold’s performance, and the Seahawks’ strategy in detail
Match Overview
The Seahawks gave the Cardinals a tough fight thanks to their strong defense and Darnold’s accurate throwing. After the score was tied in the fourth quarter, Darnold made a brilliant final-minute save, setting up a game-winning 52-yard field goal for Jason Myers. This victory marked a significant step for the Seahawks, who moved to 3-1 in the 2025
Pivotal Moment
In the final 23 seconds of the game, the Seahawks were facing second-and-10 on their own 40-yard line. Darnold threw a perfect 22-yard pass to receiver Jackson Smith-Njigba down the left sideline, setting up a field goal for Myers. Smith-Njigba praised the throw, saying, “Sam placed the ball in the perfect spot, making it easy to catch.”
Earlier, Darnold had thrown another perfect 36-yard pass to Smith-Njigba, but Myers missed a 53-yard field goal. Despite this, the Seahawks took advantage of Arizona’s poor kickoff and started their drive from their own 40-yard line to secure the victory.
Sam Darnold: The Seahawks’ New Hero
Sam Darnold, signed to a three-year, $100.5 million deal in March after trading Geno Smith, has performed brilliantly this season despite the pressure to deliver immediate results. On Thursday night, he completed 18 of 26 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown, proving his worth. He now has five touchdowns and two interceptions, demonstrating his consistency and leadership.
Coach Mike McDonald praised Darnold, saying, “Sam is completely immersed in the game right now. He’s on a mission and doing a great job leading our team.”
Darnold’s Mobility
Darnold’s most impressive aspect has been his ability to escape pressure and make big plays running. In the second quarter, he threw 32 yards to tight end Elijah Arroyo and then ran 24 yards to set up Jack Charbonnet’s touchdown run. Darnold said, “I’m glad I made that throw because I had an open field in front of me.”
Jackson Smith-Njigba: A Rising Star
Jackson Smith-Njigba ranks second in the NFL with 323 receiving yards this season, the best start to any season in Seahawks history. On Thursday night, he added 79 yards on four catches in the fourth quarter. His teammate, Julian Love, said, “Jackson is one of the best receivers in the league. People should respect his name.”
Seahawks’ Strategy and Challenges
The Seahawks led 14-3 at halftime, but three mistakes, Kobe Bryant’s interception, Julian Love’s missed pick, and Kenneth Walker III’s penalty limited their lead. Despite this, the team responded to Arizona’s comeback in the fourth quarter and secured the victory in the final moments.
McDonald praised the mentality of Jason Myers, who made the game-winning field goal despite a previous miss. Darnold said of Myers, “His mentality is like golf—after a bad shot, he comes back and hits the next one.”
Darnold’s Past and Future
Darnold’s Pro Bowl season with the Minnesota Vikings ended at State Farm Stadium, where he was sacked nine times against the Rams. Following the loss, Minnesota did not place the franchise tag on him, after which he joined the Seahawks. Darnold described the match as “just another game,” but now looks forward to preparing for next week and the Ryder Cup.
The Seahawks’ victory not only solidified their 3-1 start but also established the pairing of Darnold and Smith-Njigba as one of the NFL’s most lethal duos. Their strategy, composure under pressure, and final-minute performance showed the Seahawks are a strong contender in the 2025 season. Expect even more exciting performances from Darnold and his team in the upcoming games
