Nation Endures Brutal Sunday Night Contest

Nation Endures Brutal Sunday Night Contest

Zach Meister, Sports Editor

The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals squared off in what was expected to be an exciting battle between two of the NFL’s elite teams. However, the primetime battle turned into a boring defensive game that was near intolerable to watch. The result turned out to be a shocking tie as neither team could pull ahead in what was an indecisive overtime.

“It was so boring that it made my bio homework interesting,” said Senior Matt Fernandes about the lackluster and disappointing game.

In what might have been the most exciting moment of the game, the Cardinals had a short field goal attempt blocked by Seahawks’ linebacker Bobby Wagner in the first half. Wagner vaulted himself over the Cardinals’ line, controversially avoiding a penalty as it was declared he did not make contact with any other players during his jump. Field goals problems would become a frequent issue in the game as both offenses stalled.

The teams finished regulation locked at a 3-3 stalemate and entered the 15 minute overtime period. Cardinals’ kicker, Chandler Catanzaro, and Seahawks’ kicker, Stephen Hauschka, exchanged field goals to start overtime off, which would make the next team to score a single point the winner of the contest.

Later in the period, the Cardinals advanced all the way down to the Seahawks’ 5 yard line. After nearly scoring the game winning touchdown with star running back David Johnson, the Cards brought Catanzaro onto the field for a chip shot 24 yard field goal that would clinch the game. Catanzaro’s kick clanked off the left upright, leaving the Cards stunned.

When asked about the attempt in his post game interview Cardinals’ head coach Bruce Arians expressed his disappointment as he said, “Make it. He’s a professional. This isn’t high school, baby. You get paid to make it.”

This crucial slip up left the Seahawks with another chance to take the game, as they drove down the field and gave Hauschka a chance at the win. Hauschka then pulled his kick wide left and shanked the 27 yard field goal. Kicks as short as these two are usually considered automatic at the professional level.

“I make that kick 999,999 times out of a million,” Catanzaro said.

Unfortunately the one slip up occurred at the worst possible moment, in a primetime and close game. The game ended as a 6-6 tie, as both kickers could not capitalize on their opportunities.

From sportingnews.com