Instant reaction from Seahawks’ 6-6 tie with Cardinals
Oct 23, 2016, 10:34 PM | Updated: 10:41 pm
(AP)
This was certainly in the top 10 of most memorable games in Seahawks history, not that it was one of the best, nor was it one of the worst. But you can’t possibly forget a game that ended in a tie, particularly one featuring no touchdowns.
I feel bad for both kickers. Chandler Catanzaro bonked a short one off the left upright that would’ve given the Cardinals a 9-6 win, and Stephen Hauschka blew his chance to give the Seahawks a 9-6 win by hitting it really wide left. I can’t help but wonder if the turf at University of Phoenix Stadium bothers him. Something must. Maybe it was the slightly high snap, but the hold by Jon Ryan was good. Whatever the case, Hauschka has more problems at University of Phoenix Stadium than any other stadium in the NFL.
I’ll also come away from this game thinking about key defensive plays that were made that prevented Arizona from winning with a touchdown on its field-goal bonking drive. Kelcie McCray dived and tripped up J.J. Nelson, who was on his way to the end zone after making a reception across the middle. Then the Seahawks twice stopped David Johnson at the half-yard line, forcing Catanzaro to come out and miss his kick.
And finally, the look on Cardinals coach Bruce Arians’ face all game long. He looked tense and nervous and about to burst throughout. Then when he started to signal that the field goal was good and suddenly realized it wasn’t, to see his play card thrown to the turf, well, that was a beautiful thing.
One more thing: the tie actually helped the Seahawks and hurt the Cardinals because Seattle maintained a 1.5-game lead in the NFC West.