Seahawks 31, Cardinals 7: JSN's Three Scores, Lock's First Start

September 20, 2026 - Glendale - Drew Lock's first pass as Seattle's starter this year traveled 82 yards in the air and on the grass. Jaxon Smith-Njigba ran through a busted look, past Budda Baker, and into the end zone before Arizona had a chance to settle.

The Seattle Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-7 at State Farm Stadium. It was a franchise-record 12th straight win and the 10th in a row against this rival since 2022. The defending Super Bowl champions are 2-0. Arizona is 1-1 after opening with a road win in Los Angeles.

Lock started because Sam Darnold is still out with the glute injury from the New England game. He completed 19 of 26 for 235 yards and three touchdowns. All three went to Smith-Njigba. No interceptions. One sack. The first start since 2024, and the first in a Seahawks uniform since 2023, looked like the job was not a problem.

82 yards, then a 7-7 half

The 82-yarder was the longest touchdown of Smith-Njigba's career and the fifth-longest receiving score in franchise history, per The Seattle Times. FOX 13 noted he is the seventh different Seahawk with three touchdowns in a game, in with Steve Largent, Daryl Turner, Joey Galloway, Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, and D.K. Metcalf.

Arizona tied it on the first play of the second quarter. Jacoby Brissett hit Trey McBride from 2 yards. 7-7. That was the Cardinals' night on the scoreboard. They held Smith-Njigba in check for the rest of the half. They could not do it after the break.

Emanuel Wilson ran 21 times for 92 yards. Seattle never trailed. Arizona finished with 151 yards. Brissett went 17 of 28 for 95 yards, the McBride score, and one interception. McBride caught eight for 41. The volume was empty without a second answer.

Love's slide, then two more slants

The third quarter opened with the 7-yarder. Third-and-goal, a zero-blitz, Smith-Njigba one step and inside on Max Melton. Lock took the hit and put it on him. 14-7 with 12:27 left in the third.

Julian Love then slid under a Brissett throw and got his hand on the ball before it hit the grass. Seattle took over at the Arizona 44. Jason Myers hit from 33. 17-7.

The fourth-quarter strike was 12 yards on third-and-6. 24-7. Smith-Njigba finished with nine catches for 155 yards and those three scores. Through two games he has 17 catches, 277 yards, and four touchdowns. Last year's receiving-yards title and Offensive Player of the Year trophy have not made him easier to bracket.

AJ Barner ran in from a yard on fourth down with 1:11 left. 31-7. Leonard Williams had a sack. The last 24 points were all Seattle. Mike LaFleur's Cardinals could not recreate the Chargers tape against this front.

AthX Engine on a 12-game streak

AthX Engine NFL scoring already has the Week 2 lines in. Smith-Njigba's 155 yards and three scores land at 61.25, the top total in this game. Love's interception and two passes defensed are 47.50. Williams is 44.00. Lock is 36.80. Baker is 35.50. McBride is 28.25. Wilson is 23.00. Seattle's team line is 96.75.

Fantasy points measure the box. Price is what traders will pay for JSN with a backup under center, and for a 12-game streak that now includes a road win without Darnold. They move together. They are not the same number.

Track Smith-Njigba, Love, Darnold, McBride, and both clubs on the marketplace. Seattle visits Washington on Sept. 27. Arizona visits San Francisco that afternoon.

*Sources: AP recap (ESPN), Reuters, Seahawks.com, The Seattle Times. AthX Engine Week 2 lines scored from nflverse weekly stats. Information only; not financial advice.*