The Arizona Cardinals (4-13) lost 21-20 to the Seattle Seahawks (9-8) in the team’s Week 18 season finale.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!While leading 20-13 with under two minutes left in the game, Geno Smith connected with Tyler Lockett for a 34-yard touchdown. Instead of tying the game up, Seattle decided to attempt to take the lead and converted on a two-point conversion from Smith to Lockett once again.
Lockett TD
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Lockett 2-point conversion
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Seahawks lead📺: #SEAvsAZ on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/MYcategg1V— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2024
Kyler Murray and the offense drove down the field in under two minutes, putting the team in field goal range. However, veteran kicker Matt Prater could not connect from 51 yards away as time expired.
Despite Seattle’s win, they were still knocked out of the playoffs due to the Green Bay Packers defeating the Chicago Bears.
🚨The NFL playoff picture for the NFC is now set. The #Cowboys will host the Packers at AT&T Stadium.
Full NFC bracket:
1. 49ers (bye)
2. Cowboys
3. Lions
4. Buccaneers
5. Eagles
6. Rams
7. PackersThe regular season has concluded. Shall we playoff football, folks?
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) January 8, 2024
Cardinals’ Draft Pick Implications
In retrospect, this loss helps Arizona more than it hurts them. The team has locked in the fourth overall pick in the 2024 Draft in April.
The top 10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft:
1. Bears (via Panthers)
2. Commanders
3. Patriots
4. Cardinals
5. Chargers
6. Giants
7. Titans
8. Falcons
9. Bears
10. Jets— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 8, 2024
Their goal of preventing division-rival Seattle from reaching the playoffs was still reached and they have an opportunity to land a top-four prospect in the draft.
The Cardinals will now shift their focus to draft evaluation and looking at potiential deals to make, as they own two first-round picks.
Key Stats
Arizona:Â 466 total yards, 24 1st downs, 260 passing and 206 rushing yards
Seattle: 327 total yards, 18 1st downs, 189 passing, and 138 rushing yards
Passing
- Cardinals – QB Kyler Murray: 22-30, 262 yards, 1 TD
- Seahawks – QB Geno Smith: 16-28, 189 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
- Cardinals – RB James Conner: 27 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD.
- Seahawks – RB Kenneth Walker: 17 carries, 78 yards
Receiving
- Cardinals – WR Michael Wilson: 6 receptions, 95 yards
- Seahawks – WR Tyler Lockett: 2 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Stats
- Cardinals – S Budda Baker: 10 total tackles
- Seahawks – LB Bobby Wagner: 15 total tackles
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Saleh Awwad is a reporter/writer covering Phoenix High School Sports and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @SalehAwwad_
