The Seattle Seahawks set a franchise record for points scored in a 58-0 shutout victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
The record-breaking win kept Seattle’s post season dreams alive allowing them to hold onto a one game lead for the final Wild Card position in the NFC and was their first division win of the 2012 season .
Marshawn Lynch led a well-oiled rushing attack with three touchdown runs and 128 yards. The Seahawk backfield combined for a total of 284 rushing yards.
A 3-yard touchdown run by Leon Washington with 2:32 left made the game 58-0 and broke the Seahawks’ previous scoring record of 56 against Buffalo in 1977. The shutout was also the largest in Seattle’s history.
Seattle’s defense, led by Richard Sherman and Bobby Wagner, forced eight turnovers, which is their second most in franchise history equaling the mark they set in 1998. Sherman and Wagner each had two interceptions.
The shutout dropped Arizona to 4-9 and will undoubtedly raise questions about Ken Whisenhunt’s future as head coach of the Cardinals. Arizona has lost nine straight games overall after starting the season 4-0.
The Cardinals’ 24-year-old Quarterback, John Skelton appeared lost on the field finishing 11-22 with 74 yards, zero touchdowns, four interceptions, and a QB rating of 18.2.
The shutout was the worst shutout loss in Cardinals history and the fourth largest in the NFL since 1940 according to ESPN.com . It is the first time that Arizona has been shutout since 2003 when they lost 38-0 to Seattle in 2003.
Seattle hopes to extend their win streak to three next week against the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, Arizona looks to snap it’s nine game losing streak on Sunday at home against the Detroit Lions.