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Drew Lock had plenty of reasons to make the Seahawks’ 31-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals about himself. Seattle’s quarterback completed 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. He protected the football, consistently made the correct decision and helped the Seahawks improve to 2-0.
Lock had a different message after the game.
“It was a complete game from both sides of the ball,” Lock said during his official postgame interview.
The description was accurate.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught all three of Lock’s touchdown passes, finishing with nine receptions for 155 yards. His 82-yard touchdown was the longest reception of his NFL career and the defining moment of Seattle’s dominant afternoon.
The defense was every bit as impressive. Seattle held Arizona to 151 total yards and one touchdown, preventing the Cardinals from developing any consistent offensive rhythm. Arizona fell to 1-1 after being overwhelmed on both sides of the ball.
Smith-Njigba takes over Arizona’s secondary
Seattle did not need to manufacture touches for Smith-Njigba or rely on short completions to build his numbers.
— PFF (@PFF) September 21, 2026He repeatedly created separation and punished Arizona whenever its coverage lost leverage. The 82-yard touchdown demonstrated the full problem. Smith-Njigba turned one opening into an immediate scoring play, forcing Arizona to abandon any hope of controlling the game with a patient, conservative approach.
His other two touchdowns proved the performance was not the product of one coverage breakdown. Lock trusted Smith-Njigba in scoring situations, and the receiver consistently rewarded that confidence. Their connection gave Seattle an explosive element Arizona could not match.
Lock also credited the Seahawks’ offensive line and acknowledged the support he received from the coaching staff and Sam Darnold. His comments reflected a quarterback who understood that Sunday’s success came from the structure around him as much as his individual performance.
According to the game recap, Lock completed more than 73 percent of his passes while Seattle steadily pulled away.
That efficiency mattered.
Lock did not need to force difficult throws because the defense repeatedly returned the ball to Seattle’s offense without allowing significant damage.
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Seahawks’ 2-0 start looks sustainable
Two games cannot settle an NFL season, but Seattle is already displaying a formula that should travel well. The Seahawks have an explosive No. 1 receiver, a quarterback playing under control and a defense capable of dictating games. That combination limits the need for weekly shootouts.
Smith-Njigba’s three touchdowns will command the headlines, and deservedly so. His ability to win at multiple levels changes how defenses must approach everyone else in Seattle’s offense. Lock’s postgame message identified the larger development.
This was not one receiver dragging the Seahawks to victory. It was a balanced roster overwhelming Arizona in every meaningful phase.
Seattle scored 31 points, allowed seven and moved to 2-0. Lock looked comfortable and decisive throughout the afternoon, even though his opportunities have often arrived amid uncertainty during his career.
The Seahawks will eventually play games in which their defense allows more than 151 yards and Smith-Njigba does not score three touchdowns.
Sunday provided evidence that Seattle has enough complementary pieces to respond when those more difficult games arrive.
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