Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch plunges in for the frist of two touchdown runs against the Cardinals Sunday.
It was no surprise to see the spotlight shine on Marshawn Lynch several times during Sunday Night Football. It was equally as expected to watch him deflect the attention after it was over.
All eyes were on the Seahawks' star running back in the first quarter as he stood on the sideline, unable to play because of reported stomach issues. He got his first carry in the second quarter and quickly became a major factor in the result, running 10 times for 113
yards and two touchdowns, including a 79-yarder to put the game away in the fourth.
After getting hit with a $100,000 fine earlier this season for not speaking with the media, Lynch made himself available in the visitor's locker room following the 35-6 win, but in his own unique way.
Lynch was asked eight questions about the game and answered each with a variation of "thanks for asking." The most in-depth reply he gave centered around his stomach issues.
"I appreciate you asking about my stomach," Lynch said. "Thank you."
The always loquacious Richard Sherman helped fill the gap. He talked about Lynch's long scoring run, comparing it to the memorable touchdown rumble against the Saints in the playoffs in the 2010 season.
"What more can you say about that run?" Sherman said. "Beastmode Two -- that might be Beastmode One. The other one might be Two now."
LOGAN THOMAS' APPEARANCE LIMITED TO ONE SNAP
It's unknown how many plays were created for rookie quarterback Logan Thomas this week, but only one saw the light of day. He
entered the game in the second quarter on first-and-10 from the Arizona 8. It was a high-risk, high-reward call, as Thomas dropped back into the end zone and attempted to unleash a long bomb down the left sideline to John Brown.
Thomas was hit as he threw it and the ball never had a chance to be completed.
"Just didn't have quite enough time," Thomas said. "Smokey ran a great route and was open. I would've had to give him a good ball, but we had a shot at it."
Coach Bruce Arians said postgame he "never" considered making a permanent switch from Ryan Lindley to Thomas, although the backup said he was prepared to re-enter later for more of his plays if needed.
"I wasn't sure (what was going to happen)," Thomas said. "I just knew what I had (practiced) and if he called my name I was going to be ready to go."
LITTLE HELP FROM RUNNING GAME
The Cardinals hoped to give Lindley some support with a solid rushing attack, but it never materialized. Stepfan Taylor finished with 11 carries for 19 yards and the team had 15 carries for 29 yards total because it trailed most of the contest.
"We probably should have run the ball more," Arians said.
Running back Kerwynn Williams, who had 34 carries for 175 yards in the past two games since getting elevated from the practice squad, had two carries for four yards. While Williams was listed on the injury report this week with a knee issue, Arians said health wasn't a factor. Taylor and Marion Grice saw the majority of the snaps because they are better pass blockers, Arians said.
SEAHAWKS' ISSUES LET CARDINALS HANG AROUND
While the Cardinals could never get going offensively, it was still a one-score game heading into the fourth quarter because Seattle had several self-inflicted wounds.
Kicker Steven Hauschka missed three field goals in the first three quarters after entering the game 29-of-32 on the season. He sent the first two kicks wide right and the final one wide left.
The Seahawks also had 11 penalties for 92 yards in the first half. On consecutive plays in the second quarter, defensive end Michael Bennett was whistled for lining up offsides, which helped lead to a Cardinals field goal.
"One of those times, I was offsides," Bennett said. "The other time, I wasn't offsides. They've just never seen nobody get off the ball like that."
WATFORD, GLENN CARSON SEE TIME
Guard Earl Watford played in his first NFL game on offense, filling in for an injured Ted Larsen at left guard for a handful of snaps in the second half. Watford was the backup guard because Jonathan Cooper missed the game with a wrist injury. Larsen eventually returned to the game.
Linebacker Glenn Carson has been inactive for much of the season but saw defensive playing time in some run-stopping packages against the Seahawks. He had one tackle.
