The Arizona Cardinals needed an overtime field goal to beat the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. Arizona won by a final score of 23-20. The win gives the Cardinals second place in the NFC West with an 8-8 record. Seattle finished at 7-9, the same record they had last season when they won the division.
John Skelton started in place of Kevin Kolb. He completed 22 of 40 passes for 271 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald had another big game with Skelton under center, catching nine passes for 149 yards. Tight end Todd Heap had the Cardinals' lone receiving touchdown. Running back Chester Taylor reminded the world that he was, in fact, still playing in the NFL with a rushing touchdown in the first quarter.
Seattle erased a 10-point deficit with a fourth quarter field goal and a touchdown to rookie wide receiver Ricardo Lockette. Running back Marshawn Lynch ran well, averaging 4.5 yards on 19 carries for a total of 86 yards. The Cardinals did keep him out of the end zone. Leon Washington scored on a breakaway touchdown in the third quarter.
The Cardinals sacked Seattle quarterback Tarvaris Jackson four times. Seattle's defense managed just two sacks.
Jay Feely hit a 28-yard field goal in overtime for the win.
Despite falling short in their effort to repeat as NFC West champs, Seattle has to be pleased with how the season turned out for them. They overcame the loss of three starters on the offensive line as well as a season-ending injury to receiver Sidney Rice.
Arizona surprises more than a few with an 8-8 finish. The Cardinals traded for quarterback Kevin Kolb during the offseason, but backup John Skelton played better as a fill-in for Kolb. Arizona will likely have to answer a quarterback question in the offseason.