Drew Lock leads Seahawks to 17-3 win over Cardinals after Sam Darnold injury

The Story

Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock stepped in as a starter for an injured Sam Darnold and led Seattle to a 17-3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on November 9, 2026 at Lumen Field.

Lock’s performance helped stabilize the offence as Seattle played with limited practice time while managing his lingering elbow injury. Despite that week, the Seahawks offence produced enough to carry the win.

Coach Mike Macdonald praised Lock’s toughness after the game, saying, “He’s a beast. He just threw it around. Just went after it,” and adding that the team’s medical staff “deserve a shout-out too” for preparing both Lock and backup Jalen Milroe in case either could not finish.

Macdonald also pointed to the teamwork behind the preparation, saying, “Really a great team effort, but Drew, I don’t know how you can get any tougher. Both guys, just tough as nails.”

Lock went 19-of-28 passing for 175 yards and one touchdown, and he also had 16 yards rushing.

Seattle’s offence also emphasized avoiding turnovers and protecting the quarterback. Grey Zabell said the team put “a point of emphasis to keep the quarterback clean and give him a clean pocket to throw from,” adding that Lock “did an unbelievable job” following last week’s hits on Darnold.

Lock credited the run game as a key part of the offence’s success, with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price combining for 101 yards on 25 carries. “Those guys, they’re the work horses of this team,” Lock said, also noting Charbonnet’s return after a “very serious injury.”

On the defensive side, safety Julian Love described Lock’s composure, saying, “Nothing phases him no matter what. He’s confident, he has swagger,” and adding, “He really plays offense like a defensive player.”

Lock also said the oblique injury he suffered during the win did not keep him from finishing. Macdonald announced postgame that Lock had an oblique injury, and Lock said, “I was able to finish with it,” adding later, “I wouldn’t say it (affected the ability to throw).”

He continued, “I went into the tent, had it looked at, came back out… You feel it, but it was nothing that is going to keep me on the sideline.”