Darnold throws 2 TDs, Kupp tops 100 yards as Seahawks beat Cardinals

Seattle, WA - Sam Darnold threw two touchdown passes, Cooper Kupp delivered the game's only 100-yard receiving performance and the Seattle Seahawks rebounded from their first loss with a 24-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9.

Seattle built an advantage and protected it as Arizona continued to apply pressure, eventually narrowing the final margin to one score. The Seahawks never generated overwhelming separation, but they consistently produced more offense and finished with clear advantages on third down and in the red zone.

The win moved Seattle to 8-1 after it entered the week with a 7-1 record and a one-game losing streak. Arizona, which also came in following a loss, fell to 3-6.

Darnold completed 20 of 29 passes for 217 yards and finished with a 113.7 passer rating. He did not have to rely on downfield shots to move the offense; his longest completion covered 24 yards, and Seattle spread its production across a passing game led by Kupp and a ground attack that totaled 172 yards.

Kupp caught eight passes for a game-high 117 yards, including a 24-yard reception that matched the longest catch of the game. His steady production gave Seattle a reliable presence throughout a contest in which the Seahawks accumulated 389 offensive yards and 17 first downs.

"We stayed patient and didn't feel like everything had to come at once," Darnold said. "Cooper was consistently available for us, and the running backs gave the offense another dimension. There are still things we'll want to clean up, but we finished with the result we needed."

A.J. Barner and Jadarian Price each recorded a receiving touchdown. Price also scored on the ground, giving him two touchdowns to go with 64 rushing yards on a game-high 18 carries and four receptions for 23 yards.

Zach Charbonnet supplied the more explosive rushing production. He gained 66 yards on only six attempts, and his 37-yard run was the longest rush of the game. Price's heavier workload and Charbonnet's burst gave Seattle two different statistical profiles in the backfield.

The Seahawks converted eight of their 16 third-down attempts and went 1-for-2 on fourth down. Arizona finished 2-for-10 on third down. Seattle also made five trips to the red zone, recording three touchdowns and one field goal, while the Cardinals scored one touchdown and one field goal across three red-zone possessions.

"You want to be useful wherever the ball goes," Kupp said. "Sometimes that means making the catch underneath and taking what's there. The important part for us was getting back to winning after last week."

Arizona finished with 282 offensive yards, including 177 through the air and 105 on the ground. Jaxson Dart completed 19 of 30 passes with one touchdown and a 90.5 passer rating. He added 22 rushing yards on four attempts, but the Cardinals were unable to match Seattle's sustained offensive output.

Jeremiyah Love carried 15 times for a game-high 76 yards and scored Arizona's rushing touchdown. Michael Wilson led the Cardinals' receivers with five catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. Those performances kept Arizona competitive as it worked to reduce Seattle's earlier cushion, though the Cardinals finished with two fewer first downs and 107 fewer offensive yards.

"Two conversions on third down isn't enough," Dart said. "We had some production and got points on the board, but we left too many opportunities out there. Against a team playing this well, that puts a lot of pressure on every possession."

Neither defense recorded an interception, and both teams finished with three sacks. Arizona linebacker Zaven Collins accounted for two of the Cardinals' sacks, providing one of the strongest individual defensive lines in the game.

Seattle's statistical edge was broad rather than dependent on one category. The Seahawks passed for 40 more yards than Arizona, rushed for 67 more and ran their offensive total to 389 yards. Darnold's efficiency, Kupp's game-high receiving output and the production of Price and Charbonnet complemented one another in a seven-point win.

For the Cardinals, the result continued a difficult stretch after they entered Week 9 at 3-5. Love and Wilson supplied touchdowns, and Dart completed better than 63% of his passes, but Arizona departed Seattle with its second consecutive loss.

Up Next

Seattle will take its 8-1 record on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10, while Arizona will return home and try to rebound against the Los Angeles Rams.