Seahawks try to maintain series dominance against the Cardinals in vital NFC West showdown

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jonathan Gannon barely had a chance to get settled into his seat on the plane after the Arizona Cardinals' tough road loss to the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday when a player was in his ear.

It was quarterback Kyler Murray.

“I love his competitive stamina,” the second-year coach said. “I love his will to get better.”

The Cardinals (6-6) need to get better in a hurry as they try to snap a two-game losing streak when they host the Seattle Seahawks (7-5) on Sunday in a crucial NFC West matchup. The Seahawks lead the division by one game over the Cardinals and Rams, while the 49ers are just two games back.

Seattle certainly has the momentum heading into this meeting in the desert. The Seahawks have won three straight games overall and have a six-game winning streak in the series against the Cardinals.

It's the second meeting in three weeks between the teams. The Seahawks won 16-6 in Seattle on Nov. 24.

“Our notes are a couple of pages back, so you really don’t have to look too far, but it’s just like a halftime break," Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf said. "They’re going to make adjustments. We make adjustments and may the best team win, see who can recover the fastest and clean up their mistakes from the first time we met.”

Arizona has played a tough schedule this season and its six losses have come against teams with a combined record of 55-18. Last week's loss to the Vikings was a 23-22 heartbreaker. The Cardinals never trailed until Sam Darnold threw the go-ahead touchdown pass with 1:18 left.

“The great teams find a way to win those one-score games,” Murray said. “That’s what the league comes down to. It’s very close. There’s not any teams that you can look at and be like, ‘Oh, they’re just a terrible football team.’"

Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams was selected the NFC Defensive Player of the Week last week after a second straight dominant performance.

Williams had two sacks, three tackles for a loss, a blocked extra point and a pick-6 of Aaron Rodgers that was returned 92 yards against the Jets last week. It was the longest interception return for a TD by a defensive lineman in NFL history. Over the past two weeks, Leonard has combined for 4 1/2 sacks and six quarterback hits.

“We think he’s been playing at an elite level the whole year,” coach Mike Macdonald said. “We’re happy for his recognition, but now, like, teams know. He’s going to be a massive part of their game plan, as we expect. ... He’s got to keep doing what he’s doing and keep the pedal to the metal.”

Cardinals tight end Trey McBride continued his breakout season in last week's loss to the Vikings, catching 12 passes for the second straight game.

It's the first time in NFL history that a tight end has had at least 12 catches in back-to-back games and the first time a Cardinals player has done that at any position in franchise history.

McBride has 73 receptions for 781 yards this season. Surprisingly, he still hasn't had a TD catch.

“Yeah, that’s a weird stat because he’s going crazy," Murray said. "I think we’ve had a couple opportunities, haven’t connected. But no, that’s definitely going to happen.”

The Seahawks made some changes after a disastrous special teams performance on Sunday, waiving WR/KR Laviska Shenault after he muffed a pair of kickoffs and lost a fumble against the Jets.

Dee Williams also lost a fumble in the game, and the Seahawks gave up a 99-yard kickoff return.

Macdonald is considering several different options for the return game this week.

“Both returner spots and the punt and the kickoff return game, we’re working through still,” Macdonald said. “So we don’t have an answer quite yet. We have some people that we’re going to be working at those spots, (Williams) included.”

The Cardinals have been flagged for penalties just 61 times this season, which is the fewest in the NFL.

But last week's game against the Vikings was an aberration to that disciplined reputation — the Cardinals committed 10 penalties for 96 yards that proved costly. Rookie tight end Tip Reiman was called for a false start, while Murray was whistled for intentional grounding on a crucial fourth-quarter drive that ended in a field goal instead of a TD.

“Learning experience for us, but you don’t want to be going backwards on your own accord,” Gannon said. "We have to do a better job there, there’s no doubt about it, quickly.”

The Cardinals' defense has rapidly improved this season, particularly the pass rush. Arizona has 23 sacks over its last six games, which ranks No. 3 in the NFL over that span.

Mack Wilson and L.J. Collier both had two sacks against the Vikings. That means that 10 players on the roster now have at least two sacks this season. It's a no-frills, no-star approach that's been surprisingly effective. Second-year player Dante Stills leads the team with 4 1/2 sacks.

“I feel like we’ve done enough in most ballgames to give ourselves a chance to win," Gannon said. "That’s what we’re working on right now. Do the same thing.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts after catching a pass for a first down during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) celebrate after Knight recovered a fumble by the New York Jets during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) reacts walking off the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

DALLAS (AP) — Some flights were delayed or canceled in Texas on Thursday after a line of thunderstorms started moving across parts of the state in a system the National Weather Service predicted could bring high winds, hail and possible tornadoes.

More than 100 flights were delayed and dozens more canceled at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Thursday. Delays and thunderstorm-related cancellations also were reported at Dallas' Love Field and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, according to FlightAware, an aviation company that tracks flights across the world.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning late Thursday afternoon for parts of Texas northeast of Houston, meaning weather radar indicated there was a tornado in the area. There were no immediate reports of damage.

A tornado watch remained in effect through Thursday night for several counties in southeast Texas, including the Houston area.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated state emergency response resources because of the increased severe weather threat.

“As Texans and out-of-state visitors begin traveling after the Christmas holiday, it's crucial that everyone regularly monitor road conditions, make an emergency plan and heed the guidance of state and local officials,” Abbott said in a statement.

The greatest weather risk was forecast for a stretch of Texas east of Dallas, between Houston and portions of southern Arkansas and western and northern Louisiana, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center.

“There does look like the possibility of one or a few tornadoes with this risk, but the main risk will be with high winds and hail,” Hurley said, adding that he expected wind gusts generally between 60 and 80 mph (96 to 128 kph), and hail one inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter or greater.

Hurley said the storms will likely push into southern Arkansas and western and northern Louisiana after nightfall, posing a potentially dangerous situation for holiday travelers.

“People can't see a whole lot and may not be as weather aware,” he said.

A pedistrian walks across a rain soaked street in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Vehicles make their way on a rain soaked highway in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)