GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) \u2014 On a play that didn\u2019t particularly matter in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, Seattle\u2019s defense was swarming anyway, chasing Arizona\u2019s Kyler Murray across the field before the quarterback dejectedly slid to the ground for a sack as the clock hit zero.<\/p>\n
The Seahawks have proved they have a good team. Now they want to be great.<\/p>\n
Their 30-18 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday suggests they\u2019re at least trending toward that goal. Seattle (8-5) has won four straight games and maintained its one-game lead in the NFC West.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t want them to score,\u201d linebacker Ernest Jones IV said of the final play. \u201cWe want to be dominant. And you can\u2019t just be dominant at certain times, you have to be dominant throughout the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a slow start, the Seahawks controlled the final 3 1\/2 quarters. Zach Charbonnet ran for a career-high 134 yards and two touchdowns, Geno Smith threw for 233 yards and a score, and the defense had two crucial interceptions in the first quarter.<\/p>\n
The Seahawks swept the season series from the Cardinals. They have won seven in a row against their division rival.<\/p>\n
Seattle shook off an early deficit to take a 24-10 lead by halftime. Charbonnet broke a tackle at midfield and sprinted 51 yards for a touchdown<\/a> with 2:36 left in the second quarter.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old Charbonnet thrived in an increased role, taking over for injured starter Kenneth Walker III. The second-year player also caught seven passes for 59 yards.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s tough to tackle that guy in the open field,\u201d Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. \u201cHe\u2019s got speed and power.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith completed 24 of 30 passes and wasn\u2019t sacked.<\/p>\n \u201cDude, I thought the (offensive line) was phenomenal,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThe way they played, we can win every game we play.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cardinals (6-7) could have moved into a share of first place with a win. Instead, they have lost three straight and are fading from the playoff picture. Murray threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw interceptions on back-to-back passes in the first quarter.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the first time in Murray\u2019s six-year career that he\u2019s had at least two interceptions in consecutive games.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, you throw two picks, put yourself behind the eight-ball in the NFL, it\u2019s tough,\u201d Murray said. \u201cIt\u2019s on me. Just put it on me.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cardinals cut the margin to 27-18 late in the third quarter on Murray\u2019s 2-yard, underhand shovel pass to James Conner. Murray also ran for the 2-point conversion.<\/p>\n Arizona had a chance to make it a one-possession game midway through the fourth, but Chad Ryland\u2019s 40-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright. It was Ryland\u2019s third straight game with a missed field goal.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got to find some answers to get us going a little bit, because we haven\u2019t played great the past couple weeks,\u201d second-year Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. \u201cThat falls on me. I\u2019ve got to go back to the drawing board tomorrow, get these things corrected, put them in better position, and we\u2019ve got to win a game.\u201d<\/p>\n The Seahawks took a 10-7 lead in the first quarter on back-to-back big plays by the defense and then the offense. Jones picked off Murray, giving Seattle the ball at the Cardinals 19. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was kind of right to me, so I don\u2019t know what he saw,\u201d Jones said. \u201cBut it happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith capitalized on the next play, finding Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 19-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n Murray was picked off again on the next possession, this time by Coby Bryant. The Seahawks took advantage of the good field position again, with Charbonnet running for a 1-yard touchdown and a 17-7 lead.<\/p>\n It was a stunning turn of events for the Cardinals, who were in control on the first few drives. They cruised downfield on their opening possession and Murray hit Michael Wilson on a perfectly executed play-action pass for a 41-yard touchdown<\/a> and a 7-0 lead. <\/p>\n Injuries<\/p>\n Seahawks: Walker (ankle, calf) was ruled out on Saturday. He\u2019s run for 542 yards and seven TDs this season and was one of seven inactive Seattle players.<\/p>\n Cardinals: Starting S Jalen Thompson (illness) played after appearing on injury report Saturday. … P Blake Gillikin (ankle) got hurt in the first half and Ryland had to take over as the punter. … DL Roy Lopez (ankle) left the game in the second half.<\/p>\n Up next<\/p>\n Seahawks: Host Green Bay next Sunday.<\/p>\n Cardinals: Host New England next Sunday.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n