Kyler Murray intercepts and Zach Charbonnet shuts down the Cardinals in their crucial NFC West duel with the Seahawks

Kyler Murray intercepts and Zach Charbonnet shuts down the Cardinals in their crucial NFC West duel with the Seahawks

Kyler Murray's two first-half interceptions allowed the Seahawks to take control of Sunday's game. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kyler Murray’s two first-half interceptions allowed the Seahawks to take control of Sunday’s game. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray wasn’t at his best during Sunday’s NFC West showdown between the Cardinals and Seahawks.

Zach Charbonnet was. The Seahawks’ second-year running back rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns from scrimmage in the best game of his career. Murray, meanwhile, threw two interceptions that Seattle turned into touchdowns in the Seahawks’ 30-18 win.

The win extended Seattle’s lead in a tight NFC West race to an 8-5 record. The Cardinals fell to 6-7 and missed a chance to push the Seahawks to the top of the division.

Playing at home, the Cardinals suffered a 17-7 deficit in the first quarter from which they were unable to recover. Murray’s interceptions on Arizona’s second and third drives allowed the Seahawks to extend their early lead.

Murray’s first interception came when the Cardinals had a 7-3 lead. A holding penalty on Arizona’s second play put the Cardinals on second-and-19. Murray hit a pass into a crowded Seahawks zone that cornerback Ernest Jones intercepted and returned to the Arizona 19-yard line.

One play later, Geno Smith found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 19-yard touchdown to give Seattle a 10-7 lead.

Murray’s second interception came on Arizona’s next play from scrimmage. As with his first game, the Seahawks were stationed in Cardinals territory. In this case, Murray threw a deep pass down the left sideline intended for Zay Jones. Instead, safety Coby Bryant did it.

The Seahawks won five plays later with a one-yard Charbonnet touchdown run, his first of the day.

Charbonnet scored his second score on a 51-yard run in the second quarter that extended Seattle’s lead to 24-10.

The Cardinals tried to keep the Seahawks from running away from the game. But the 14-point deficit ultimately proved too much to overcome for Seattle, which completed the season win over Arizona.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Cardinals had a chance to cut their deficit to one possession. But Chad Ryland’s 40-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright, ending Arizona’s best hopes of a comeback.

Charbonnet finished the game with 134 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards on seven catches. The 100-yard dash attempt was the first of his career as he took over the lead role for the injured Kenneth Walker (calf).

Murray completed 25 of 38 passes for 259 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, ultimately putting the Cardinals in too big of a hole. The Cardinals now need a strong finish and some breaks to get into the playoffs.

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