Absolutely. But they need to go undefeated the rest of the way.
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The Broncos (7-2) saw their nine-game AFC West winning streak come to an end with their first loss to the Chiefs (4-5) since Tim Tebow was their quarterback in 2011.
Yes, that was 2011.
That’s exactly what happened, and Ellington cruised 48 yards for a touchdown, putting Arizona up, 39-29.
The Seahawks are two games behind in the wildcard race. The two-time defending NFC champs came into the 2015 season with a new offensive line and a new philosophy – that they could take collegiate defensive linemen, exploit their athleticism, and somehow avoid the inevitable issue common to all great lines – blocking in tandem requires time and communication.
And unlike last season, when they rallied from being 3-3 and 6-4, they don’t control their playoff fate.
The Cardinals now have a three-game lead over the Hawks in the NFC West with seven games to play. “They executed to get their points, but we made it really easy on them”.
“No”, the coach said with a smile, “and I really wouldn’t like to see them again. That would be great, (but) it’s a long ways from that at this point”.
Struggling on defense early in the season would be a mere footnote if Seattle could get it together against its divisional rival, which it dominated last season. 11-5 probably allows an NFC team to sneak in as a wild card. Now, the idea of playoffs seems nearly unreachable for the Seahawks, who likely have to win out in order to ensure themselves a playoff spot.
Next: The Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers at home next Sunday.
LB Bobby Wagner was en route to a 22-yard fumble-return TD Sunday night at CenturyLink Field. “They were so fired up to play this game”. But the Seahawks couldn’t sustain the drive and punted with 6:14 to play.
The lack of dedication to the running game not only played right into the Cardinals’ hands, but since the Seattle passing game is so inconsistent, it forced Seattle’s defense to be on the field for almost two-thirds of the game. As it turns out for Seattle, that was not the case against a much-improved Arizona squad.
A year ago Palmer was a spectator and watched the Cardinals crumble down the stretch after he was lost to a season-ending knee injury.
After Seattle’s next drive stalled near midfield, the Cardinals went 80 yards for their final touchdown, highlighted by Ellington’s long run with 1:50 remaining. “The truth of it was really clear”. The play calling was excellent for the most part. “Just excited – that was a risky play call that was very beneficial for us”.
Making sense of all their flags is another matter. Seattle had 14 penalties against Arizona – tied for the most since Carroll became its coach in 2010 – for 131 yards. Seven of those fouls were on the offense for 73 yards.
“We’ve had leads in the fourth quarter of every game”, they’ll say. “It just let’s everyone know that we’re here”. “We didn’t get it done”. We never really did, particularly offensively.
“I just had a feeling that Andre would have a big game”.
Early exit polls had the Cardinals putting the finishing touches on their coming out party by taking a 19-0 first-half lead. Russell Wilson threw a couple ill-advised throws, one of which led to an interception, but was fairly decent on the evening.
“I don’t know man. It’s a team game”.
“I’m kind of dumbfounded, I guess”, said Seattle tight end Luke Willson.
A move to the team’s “muddle huddle” up-tempo offense helped get the offense going late in the second quarter and through the third.
Floyd’s hamstring and Redding’s ankle will keep them day-to-day. “We want to go somewhere, and we have to go through those guys”. Just as that pressure hindered Palmer’s attempts through most of the game, it also opened things up for that Ellington touchdown.
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“That was very hard to have to face up”, Carroll said. Carroll said. “I’m sure Cary was right”. “…We have to stay on schedule”. K.J. Wright picked it up and tumbled into the end zone.
