Coby Bryant #8 of the Seattle Seahawks
In a pivotal NFC West showdown on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks vaulted into first place with a gritty 16-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12. While Geno Smith and the offense provided just enough spark with a key second-quarter touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, it was the defense that truly stole the show—and none more so than third-year safety Coby Bryant.
Bryant made the play of the game with a clutch 69-yard pick-six off Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray, a moment that not only turned the tide of the contest but also had the Lumen Field crowd roaring in disbelief. As Bryant crossed the goal line, he celebrated in true Seattle fashion, paying homage to the legendary Marshawn Lynch with a “Beast Mode” style gesture—grabbing his crotch as he ran backwards across the line.
However, that celebration would soon become the subject of controversy. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that Bryant was fined $6,594 for unsportsmanlike conduct due to the obscene gesture, a penalty that mirrors what Lynch himself faced back in 2014. After Lynch’s famous “Beast Quake” run in the 2010 playoffs and his subsequent 79-yard touchdown run against the Cardinals in 2014, the league had taken similar action, fining the Hall of Famer $11,050 for the same type of celebration.
A Defensive Masterclass
The pick-six was the game-changing play that sealed the victory for Seattle, but it was far from the only standout moment from the Seahawks’ defense. With the score tied at 3-3 early in the third quarter, Arizona was facing a critical 4th-and-1 from the Seattle 39-yard line. Murray, under heavy pressure, fumbled the snap and had to improvise by sprinting right. As he attempted to throw the ball to wideout Michael Wilson, the pass sailed wildly and landed in Bryant’s hands.
It wasn’t just the interception; it was how Bryant returned it—showcasing incredible speed and awareness to outrun any Cardinals defenders who were in pursuit. By the time he crossed into the end zone, Seattle had a 10-point lead, and with a missed extra point, the game was all but sealed. Arizona would muster just one more field goal the rest of the way, with Seattle’s defense holding firm to close out the win.
Setting the Stage for the NFC West Race
With the victory, Seattle not only claimed a crucial divisional win but also moved into first place in the NFC West. Thanks to their head-to-head win over the Cardinals, the Seahawks are now the frontrunners in a division that remains as tight as ever, with all four teams separated by just a single game.
Seattle’s defense has been one of the main reasons for their rise in recent weeks. After a gritty win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11, the Seahawks shut down a red-hot Arizona offense that had scored 31 points against the New York Jets just two weeks earlier. This marks Seattle’s second consecutive divisional victory and a major statement to the rest of the NFC that they are contenders for the division crown.
Moving Forward: The Seahawks Eye Playoff Push
Looking ahead, the Seahawks will travel to New York to face the Jets in Week 13. The matchup will be particularly special for quarterback Geno Smith, who will be facing the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Smith will look to build on a season where he has quietly been one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the league. The Jets, fresh off firing head coach Robert Saleh after a midseason loss to Minnesota, will be looking to turn things around—although they’ve already fallen to one of their former quarterbacks earlier this season.
The game in New York offers an intriguing test for Seattle. While the Jets’ defense remains formidable, they have struggled to score, especially without consistent quarterback play. The Seahawks will be eager to keep their momentum going and solidify their playoff positioning.
As the calendar turns to December, Seattle’s win in Week 12 has firmly put them in the driver’s seat in the NFC West. The offense continues to find ways to execute, and the defense is playing with a chip on its shoulder. Whether it’s a game-winning drive or a defensive takeout like Bryant’s pick-six, the Seahawks are proving that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. Now, it’s time to see if they can keep it up as the race to the postseason heats up.
For now, Seattle’s defense, led by Bryant’s signature moment, is the talk of the town. But the Seahawks know that in the NFL, the spotlight is fleeting. One thing’s for sure: they’ll take the win, and Bryant will be more than happy to adjust his celebrations moving forward.
