Five takeaways from Seahawks 35, Cardinals 6

Published: Sunday, December 21, 2014, 10:04 p.m.

Things were going that well for the Seahawks, who dominated the Arizona Cardinals in a 35-6 victory that not only put Seattle in first place, but put them in control of their destiny for the No. 1 seed in the NFC unless Green Bay and Detroit tie next week.

The Seahawks gained a team-record 596 yards, held the Cardinals to just 216 and a pair of field goal, and well, were in a position to empty the bench late in a very important game against a team that came into the game unbeaten at home and with an 11-3 record overall.

Well that was about as much fun as you can have playing football in the regular season, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said in his postgame press conference. Thats as much fun as you can have in football.

Here are five takeaways from one of Seattles most impressive wins of the season:

1. Russell Wilson was spectacular

Considering the limitations of Arizonas offense and the dangers the Cardinals defense presents, the Seahawks probably could have won this game with a conservative effort from their quarterback as long as Wilson didnt turn the ball over. Instead Wilson made big play after big playwithout giving the ball away, mind youpassing for 339 yards and two touchdowns while running for 88 more, including a career-long 55-yarder, and an ankle-breaking touchdown run. Wilson said earlier in the week that he likes it when teams pressure him because it leaves a lot of green grass behind the defense, and on Sunday the Seahawks found it.

Russell was just ridiculous tonight, Carroll said. He was so good tonight.

2. Marshawn Lynch continues to amaze

Youd think by now, after nearly five seasons in Seattle, Marshawn Lynch would have a hard time surprising anybody, and then he does something like what he did in the fourth quarter, ripping off a career-long 79-yard touchdown run that rivaled his famous Beastquake run from the 2010 postseasons right down to the PG-13 finish to the run. At an age when many running backs start to slow down, Lynch, who finished with 113 yards on 10 carries after missing the first quarter with an upset stomach, legitimately looks better at 28 than he ever has since joining the Seahawks in 2010.

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Five takeaways from Seahawks 35, Cardinals 6