NFL GAME RECAP

Seahawks dominate Cardinals 35-6

The Sports Xchange

December 21, 2014 at 8:59 pm.

Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) rushes for a touchdown during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks won 35-6. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Seattle took a giant step toward its second consecutive NFC West title when quarterback Russell Wilson and a dominating defense led the Seahawks to a 35-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Wilson completed 20 of 31 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown to help the Seahawks to a franchise-record 596 yards of total offense.

The Seahawks (11-4) swept the season series against the Cardinals (11-4) and would win the division with a victory over the St. Louis Rams next Sunday or an Arizona road loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Both Seattle and Arizona have clinched playoff berths.

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch produced 113 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries after missing the first quarter because of an upset stomach. He punctuated his 79-yard touchdown run for a 28-6 lead with 10:14 remaining in the game with a backward flip into the end zone.

Seattle got big receiving games from tight end Luke Wilson (three catches, 139 yards, two touchdowns) and wide receiver Doug Baldwin (seven receptions, 113 yards).

Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley completed 18 of 44 passes for 216 yards and an interception in his first start since Dec. 13, 2012. He replaced Drew Stanton, who sprained his right knee in a 12-6 victory at St. Louis on Dec. 11.

The Cardinals had 216 yards total offense while permitting their most yards in a game since 1958.

Seattle owns a five-game winning streak during which its opponents produced a total of 33 points and 978 yards.

The Cardinals got two field goals from Chandler Catanzaro. They have only two offensive touchdowns in their past 23 quarters since a 14-3 victory over the Detroit Lions, their first game after No. 1 quarterback Carson Palmer sustained a season-ending knee injury.

Seahawks placekicker Steven Hauschka missed all three of his field-goal attempts after missing only three of his previous 32 tries this season.

Seattle had 134 yards total offense to the Cardinals’ 15 in the first quarter but could do nothing with it before Hauschka pushed a 52-yard field-goal attempt wide right on the fourth play of the second quarter.

The Cardinals got the ball at their 42-yard line after the miss and went 49 yards before settling for Chandler Catanzaro’s field goal after reaching the Seattle 3-yard line.

Wilson put the Seahawks ahead two plays later, 7-3, when Wilsson got behind safety Rashad Johnson and outraced the secondary on an 80-yard scoring reception.

The Cardinals brought in quarterback Logan Thomas for one play on the next series, an incomplete pass, before going three-and-out.

Lynch scored on a 6-yard run with 3:41 left in the half for a 14-3 lead.

Wilson’s 20-yard pass to Willson on the fifth play of the fourth quarter gave the Seahawks a 21-6 lead. Lynch’s long run extended the lead, and Wilson scored on a 5-yard run with 4:40 left.

NOTES: Seattle QB Russell Wilson entered the game with 754 yards rushing, the 15th-best total among all NFL players. His 7.1-yard average was the highest among any player with as many as 125 rushing yards. … Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald started Sunday after missing the first game between the teams with a sprained left knee. The Cardinals lost both games in which Fitzgerald did not play, at Seattle and at Atlanta. … Seattle won for the 31st time in its past 39 games. … Arizona had a season-high seven sacks in the Seahawks’ 19-3 victory in Seattle on Nov. 23. The Cardinals sacked Wilson just once Sunday.

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