DeMarcus Lawrence returned two forced fumbles for touchdowns in the first half to help the Seattle Seahawks roll past the Arizona Cardinals 44-22 on Sunday, according to the Associated Press.
The two scores doubled Lawrence’s career total, a feat he had reached only twice in 148 previous NFL games over 12 seasons.
Both touchdowns came after strip sacks by linebacker Tyrice Knight, who set up Lawrence’s scoring opportunities on back-to-back quarters.
“You can’t draw that up,” Lawrence said after the game. “T-Knight did a great job running the play exactly how coach (Mike) Macdonald drew it up. I was the lucky recipient of the two forced fumbles. So, I’ll take it every day.”
Seattle (7-2) maintained its lead atop the NFC West and extended its winning streak over Arizona to nine games dating to 2021.
The Seahawks played without several starters — including Julian Love, Josh Jobe, Ernest Jones IV and Jarran Reed — but still finished with five sacks.
“We had guys step up, and nobody flinched,” head coach Mike Macdonald said. “And it took all 70 again. That’s how we roll.”
Seattle opened the game with a quick scoring drive.
Quarterback Sam Darnold rolled left and hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a 43-yard touchdown pass on the first possession.
“He put it right on the money,” Smith-Njigba said.
Arizona’s early answer instead turned into the first major mistake.
Knight knocked the ball loose from Jacoby Brissett on the Cardinals’ first drive, and Lawrence scooped it on a bounce for a 34-yard score.
George Holani added a 9-yard rushing touchdown before the end of the quarter, tying the franchise’s record for points in an opening period with 21.
The second quarter started the same way.
Knight again stripped Brissett, and Lawrence caught the bouncing ball in stride for a 22-yard touchdown that pushed Seattle’s lead to 28-0.
“That was like déjà vu,” receiver Cooper Kupp said. “It was crazy. It might have been the same exact defensive call.”
Seattle also led Washington 28-0 a week earlier and became the third team in the Super Bowl era to reach that margin in back-to-back weeks.
“It’s not going to happen every time,” Macdonald said. “When it does, you’re appreciative of the guys’ effort.”
Seattle added a 6-yard touchdown run from Zach Charbonnet and a 46-yard field goal by Jason Myers before halftime.
Arizona got on the board with a 4-yard run by Greg Dortch, but the Seahawks still carried a 38-7 lead into the break — their highest-scoring half of the year.
The blowout allowed Darnold to attempt just 12 passes.
He completed 10 for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception, though he also lost two fumbles.
Smith-Njigba, the NFL’s receiving leader, finished with six catches for 93 yards.
Brissett threw second-half touchdowns to Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Myers added two more field goals in the fourth quarter.
Arizona (3-6) has dropped six of its last seven games and now returns home next week.
“Just got behind early versus a good team,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “It’s tough to dig yourself out, so not a lot of good from out of that game.”
Smith-Njigba reached 1,041 yards through nine games, becoming the first NFL receiver to pass 1,000 yards this season.
The third-year wideout is the eighth player in Seahawks history to post consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
“I think it’s a credit to the work that he’s put in,” Darnold said. “Not only this offseason, but throughout his entire career.”
He also joined Antonio Brown (2014) and Michael Irvin (1995) as the only players with at least 75 receiving yards in each of their first nine games.
Rashid Shaheed, acquired Tuesday from New Orleans, made his Seahawks debut with one catch for 3 yards, two runs for 20 yards and three punt returns.
Shaheed previously played under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
“I felt like I came in prepared and I did a good job throughout the week,” Shaheed said. “Talking to all my coaches so I could be ready for the moment. It was fun.”
Trey McBride led all receivers with 127 yards.
Brissett, who has targeted McBride 46 times over the last four weeks, said the tight end is proving he can be one of the league’s best.
“They tried doubling him and putting their corners on him and giving him a whole bunch of different looks,” Brissett said. “He made the most of a lot of his opportunities.”
The Seahawks visit the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday in a key NFC West matchup.
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