In Loss to Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals’ Run Defense Gashed for 176 Yards
The Arizona Cardinals faced a tough defeat against the Seattle Seahawks in a pivotal NFC West matchup, but the most glaring issue that emerged from the loss was the Cardinals’ inability to stop the run. Seattle’s running game steamrolled the Cardinals’ defense, racking up 176 rushing yards in a dominant performance that played a key role in the Seahawks’ 31-21 victory. The outcome left Arizona with much to reflect on, especially when it comes to their defensive line and run defense strategies.
Seattle’s offensive line and running backs had their way with Arizona’s front seven throughout the game. With both teams fighting for positioning in a competitive NFC West division, the Seahawks took advantage of a key weakness in the Cardinals’ defense.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Gainwell was the primary beneficiary, carrying the ball 19 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. His consistent ability to find open lanes and push the pile helped control the clock and keep Arizona’s offense on the sidelines. Seattle’s offensive line consistently created large holes, allowing Gainwell and backup running backs to exploit Arizona’s defense and pick up chunk yardage.
The Cardinals were unable to slow down the Seahawks’ run game, which allowed Seattle to control the tempo of the game. By the time the second half rolled around, Arizona was playing catch-up, and the run defense’s struggles had put them in an increasingly difficult position.
The heart of the issue for Arizona was their defensive line’s inability to stop Seattle’s running backs from gaining significant yardage. Despite their best efforts, the Cardinals struggled to clog running lanes and shed blocks. The Seahawks’ offensive line, often regarded as one of the league’s more underrated units, played its best game of the season, creating room for Gainwell and others to exploit.
Arizona’s defensive front also lacked consistency in their tackling, allowing Seattle’s backs to break free from arm tackles and extend plays. On multiple occasions, Gainwell and his teammates were able to push for extra yards after contact, compounding the frustration for the Cardinals’ defense.
“It’s frustrating because we know we can be better in that area,” said Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph after the game. “We didn’t win the line of scrimmage today, and when you can’t do that, it makes everything else difficult. We need to be more physical in those situations.”
The Cardinals’ defense also appeared fatigued as the game wore on, unable to maintain their physicality against the run. As the Seahawks began to establish a rhythm on the ground, Arizona’s defense had no answer, leaving them vulnerable to Seattle’s dominant running attack.
The damage done by Seattle’s run game extended beyond the stat sheet. With the clock constantly running, Seattle was able to keep Arizona’s offense off the field for long stretches. The Cardinals’ offensive unit struggled to generate any rhythm due to the limited possessions they had. Quarterback Kyler Murray and the passing game were forced to play catch-up, often pressing on offense when they did get opportunities.
The Seahawks’ ability to run the ball effectively also set up play-action passing opportunities for quarterback Geno Smith, who capitalized on Arizona’s overcommitted run defense. Smith threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns, including a timely touchdown pass to DK Metcalf after a critical run set up the play-action.
Seattle’s success on the ground not only gave them a comfortable lead but also put pressure on Arizona to abandon their own rushing game, which had been effective in the first half. The combination of sustained drives by Seattle and a lack of offensive balance for Arizona created a situation that was hard to overcome.
The loss to Seattle highlighted a critical weakness in the Cardinals’ defense that they’ll need to address in the coming weeks. While the defense has shown flashes of potential this season, their inability to stop the run against the Seahawks exposed a vulnerability that could be exploited by other teams with strong running games.
Arizona’s defensive front will have to regroup and find a way to improve their ability to defend against the run. Whether that means adjusting personnel or changing schemes, the Cardinals need to become more physical up front and improve their gap control to avoid similar struggles moving forward.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph acknowledged the need for improvement but remained optimistic about the future. “We’ve got a good group of guys who know what they’re capable of,” he said. “We’ll get back to work and make sure we’re ready for the next challenge. We can’t afford to let this carry over.”
As the Cardinals look ahead, their run defense will be a focal point of improvement. With NFC West opponents like the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams still on the schedule, the Cardinals will need to find a way to plug the holes in their defense and become more stout against the run if they hope to stay in playoff contention.
In their loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Arizona Cardinals were gashed for 176 rushing yards, and their inability to stop the run ultimately sealed their fate. The game was a stark reminder that a dominant running game can dictate the outcome of a contest, especially when it controls the clock and limits the opposing offense’s opportunities. For the Cardinals, addressing their run defense will be key if they want to rebound and continue their pursuit of a playoff spot. Without improvement in this area, they could face similar struggles against other teams with potent ground attacks.