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| Other Week 10 Game Recaps | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL at CAR | BAL at CLE | BUF at TEN | CHI at SF | CIN at PIT | DAL at GB | DEN at WAS | DET at MIN |
| JAX at NYJ | KC at OAK | NE at IND | NO at STL | PHI at SD | SEA at ARI | TB at MIA | |
Week 10 Game Recap: Seattle Seahawks 20, Arizona Cardinals 31
Seattle Seahawks
| QB Matt Hasselbeck, Pass: 26 - 52 - 315 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 2 - 7 - 0 |
Hasselbeck passed for over 300 yards for the second game in a row, but continually came up short in the red zone. He dealt with constant pressure from the Arizona pass rush, and for the most part handled it well, but was still sacked four times. Hasselbeck often had to throw on the run. He looks like he is finally in synch with T.J Houshmandzadeh, hooking up with him for over half of his total pass yardage. The connection was apparent early on, when he threw a perfect over-the-shoulder bomb to him for 53 yards. He later found a wide open Carlson for a 31 yard score. Hasselbeck made the most of the Cardinals errors (like the botched coverage on the Carlson TD) but turned over the ball twice in crucial moments, and that made the difference in the game.
| QB Seneca Wallace, Pass: 1 - 1 - 16 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets) |
Wallace was used occasionally, both as QB and at receiver. He caught a 5 yard pass for a first down, and then in red zone, threw a nice pass to Houshmandzadeh while rolling out of the pocket, for another first down.
| RB Justin Forsett, Rush: 17 - 123 - 1, Rec: 5 - 26 - 0 (8 targets) |
Forsett took over for injured starter Julius Jones, and impressed in a big way. Forsett did a little of everything: aside from the 123 yards and a touchdown, he was a capable receiver and picked up the blitz well when called on to block. In one instance, he prevented a sure Safety, making a nice block on a corner blitz. His touchdown showed off his smarts and quickness, as he followed his lead block and darted through an opening to find the end zone. The whole game, Forsett used some nifty moves to gain extra yardage; extra yards that Julius Jones doesn't typically get. He was handed the ball in all situations, even getting some short yardage carries, and given the injury to Jones, should at the very least be the new starter in the short term.
| RB Louis Rankin, Rush: 3 - 24 - 0, Rec: 3 - 24 - 0 (4 targets) |
Rankin essentially took over the "Justin Forsett Role" of part-time back when Forsett took over as the lead back. Rankin made some clutch plays and looks to be a reliable option should the Seahawks need him.
| RB Julius Jones, Rush: 2 - 10 - 0 |
Jones was hurt early in the game with a broken rib. He was replaced by Justin Forsett.
| WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Rec: 9 - 165 - 0 (17 targets) |
Houshmandzadeh finally had his second 100+ yard game of the season, and added two touchdowns. Early in the game, he showed how dangerous he can be in single coverage, hauling in a beauty along the sideline for 53 yards. He nearly repeated that catch in the end zone later in the game. Hasselbeck threw to him all day in every situation. He was easily the favourite receiver and did not disappoint.
| WR Deion Branch, Rec: 4 - 50 - 0 (7 targets) |
Branch was typically reliable, but mainly used on short patterns. He was thrown to once in the end zone, but the ball was thrown out of reach. Branch drew a big pass interference call on 3rd and 10 with only minutes to go, and came through with a few clutch catches to keep the chains moving.
| WR Deon Butler, Rec: 3 - 26 - 0 (7 targets) |
Butler quietly had his chances this game. With the Seahawks playing from behind, they passed a little more than usual. Though his total numbers are unspectacular, worth noting is the fact that his routine is normally closer to one target per game, and this game Hasselbeck called his number seven times.
| WR Nate Burleson (5 targets) |
Burleson was held without a catch for the first time this season. He almost came down with a leaping catch for TD in extremely tight coverage, but couldn't hang on. With only five targets, it's almost as though he was a decoy out there. Hasselbeck tends to spread the ball around, but this bears watching. As Hasselbeck continues to get more comfortable with Houshmandzadeh, Burleson's opportunities could continue to drop.
| TE John Carlson, Rec: 1 - 31 - 1 (2 targets) |
Carlson was only thrown to twice, but one was for an easy 31 yard touchdown. Arizona left him open and Hasselbeck found him with ease as he ran toward the end zone.
Arizona Cardinals
| QB Kurt Warner, Pass: 29 - 38 - 340 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 0 - 0 |
Warner had his usual stellar protection from his offensive line, but had to contend with great coverage by the Seattle secondary. He had a rough first quarter, in which nothing seemed to be going his way. He threw a near interception into traffic in the end zone, (it was overturned and ruled incomplete) and in general, really had trouble finding an open man. Warner was patient, however, and eventually began to settle into a groove. He looked simply awesome in the 2-minute drill to end the half. He hit Fitzgerald, Breaston, and then Boldin for consecutive big gains. And for good measure, the next two passes were complete to Doucet and Hightower, before a penalty brought the ball back and they had to settle for a field goal. With a healthy Anquan Boldin in the lineup, this whole team became a lot more dangerous. Of note, Warner threw what would have been Steve Breaston's 2nd touchdown called back on holding penalty.
| RB Chris Wells, Rush: 16 - 85 - 2, Rec: 2 - 32 - 0 (2 targets) |
Beanie Wells had the best game of his young career. He still splits carries with Tim Hightower, but if this game is any indication, he is beginning to get the call in more situations than he has in the past. Wells showed that he can gain yards as a receiver and in short yardage situations, too. His best runs were behind a lead blocker; he showed patience and smarts, hitting holes at exactly the right time and gaining extra yards because of it. A prime example was his 10 yard score, which was actually a short yardage set, on 4th & 1. Not content with a yard, he waited and found the opening. The timeshare will continue, but Wells' game is becoming more well rounded and he is getting more carries as a result.
| RB Tim Hightower, Rush: 10 - 37 - 0, Rec: 5 - 21 - 0 (5 targets) |
The timeshare with Beanie Wells continues to limit his touches, but Hightower looks better every week. Once he gets the ball in his hand, he is fast and hits the defenders hard. Hightower could not convert 4th & goal from the 1, which he usually has no trouble with, but made up for it with a few big plays as the game went on. During the 2-minute drill in the first half, he shed a tackler at the line of scrimmage and turned a broken play into a big gain. He also showed a few quick bursts getting outside.
| RB LaRod Stephens-Howling, Rec: 2 - 22 - 0 (2 targets) |
Stephens-Howling continues to be effective when used, but that is generally only a couple of times per game.
| WR Anquan Boldin, Rec: 8 - 105 - 0 (10 targets) |
Boldin topped 100 yards for the first time this season, and more importantly, appeared to finally be healthy after playing much of the season on a sprained ankle. As the Seahawks discovered, a healthy Boldin is a dangerous Boldin. He was fast, agile, and on every play, drove hard for the extra yard. Though he didn't score, he did come close on a quick hitch pass from the five. Boldin stretched out but the ball as he went down but was ruled down inside the one.
| WR Larry Fitzgerald, Rec: 7 - 73 - 1 (9 targets) |
Fitzgerald caught 7 of his 9 targets, which is all the more impressive given how tightly covered he was for much of the game. In addition to the yardage, he also drew two big pass interference calls. Even when Warner spreads the ball around, Fitzgerald is still the Cardinals top red zone target.
| WR Steve Breaston, Rec: 4 - 79 - 1 (6 targets) |
Breaston made the most of his 3rd-receiver role. He was having a very quiet game until the second quarter, when he got wide open in end zone for a 28 yard TD. He made a slick move to lose his man, and showed a propensity for eluding deep zone coverage. Breaston had his usual great hands in traffic, providing clutch plays when needed and was a big time red zone target, with 3 opportunities. Given the right bounces, it easily could have been a three touchdown game for him.
| WR Early Doucet, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (3 targets) |
Doucet appears to have taken over the number four receiver job. Problem is, with a healthy Anquan Boldin and a productive running game, that doesn't leave him much opportunity. He is still developing a rapport with Warner, which was evident on one pass that he couldn't pull in. It was thrown high; a lot like the routine throws that Larry Fitzgerald catches, but Doucet wasn't able to handle it.