GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A few thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks' 35-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals:
What it means: The Seahawks (11-4) clinched a playoff spot and would clinch the NFC West title and home-field advantage in the NFC with a victory next week. Seattle set a franchise record with 596 total yards of offense. The Seahawks now have won at least 11 games in three consecutive seasons.
Game ball: Second-year tight end Luke Willson had one of the best games ever for a Canadian in the NFL. Willson had two TD catches and three receptions for 139 yards. The Russell Wilson-to-Luke Willson connection was unstoppable, including the game’s biggest pass play on an 80-yard catch-and-run TD in the second quarter, tying the longest play of Wilson’s career and easily the longest TD for Willson, a lanky former lacrosse player who showed a lot of speed.
Offensive line holds strong: The Seattle offensive line was a big concern entering the game. Arizona sacked Wilson seven times in the game Nov. 23 at Seattle. He was sacked only once Sunday, even though the offensive line was without starting center Max Unger and starting left tackle Russell Okung. Patrick Lewis, who started that game against the Cardinals, made his second start Sunday and played well. Alvin Bailey did a nice job replacing Okung. They had to be doing a lot of things right to set a team record for yardage against a strong Arizona defense.
Sublime in prime time: The Seahawks are 13-1 in night games since Pete Carroll became the head coach, including nine consecutive prime-time victories and four this season.
Dominant D: The Seahawks defense has given up only 33 points in the past five games. Arizona scored only nine points -- three field goals -- in two games against Seattle.
Wilson set career marks: Wilson passed for a career high 339 yards and completed 20 of 31 throws for two TDs. He also rushed for 88 yards, including a career-best, 55-yard run in the first quarter. He also had a 22-yard run and 5-yard TD run.
Delayed entry, but a Beastly finish: Marshawn Lynch did not play in the first quarter because of what was officially listed as an upset stomach. Interestingly, Lynch entered the game right at the start of the second quarter. He made up for lost time with his most impressive touchdown since the Beast Quake. On a 79-yard touchdown run, he broke half a dozen tackles and managed to tight-rope the sideline before leaping backward into the end zone. He also scored on a typical bulldozer-type run from 6 yards out in the second quarter.
Bad half of penalties: The Seahawks had 10 penalties for 92 yards in the first half but only one for five yards in the second half.
What’s next: The Seahawks play their final regular-season game next Sunday at home against the St. Louis Rams with the division title and home-field advantage at stake.
