Phil Dawson was virtually invisible the past few weeks, attempting just two extra points and zero field goals in the first three games of the season.
The Cardinals' kicker was front and center on Sunday, but didn't get the desired result. Dawson missed two of his three field goal attempts, including a 45-yarder with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter that would have given the Cardinals a 20-17 lead.
"It was a terrible kick," Dawson said. "No excuses. I didn't do my job well today. It was just a good old-fashioned miss."
The Seahawks took over at their 35 after the miss and drove down to the Cardinals' 34, where Sebastian Janikowski nailed a 52-yarder as time expired for the 20-17 Seattle victory.
Dawson missed a 50-yarder on the last play of the first half that would have given the Cardinals a 13-7 advantage. Dawson did not blame the lack of usage earlier in the season for the hiccups.
"Like I said, no excuses," Dawson said. "I go out there whenever I'm told to go out there, and it's my job to put the ball through the posts. Twice today, I didn't do that."
The Cardinals ran the ball on third-and-6 prior to Dawson's miss, and coach Steve Wilks said he would make the same decision again.
"They warm up pregame so we were right there, exactly where we felt he was comfortable, and didn't execute," Wilks said. "We had two costly ones right there and that was the difference today."
EARL THOMAS FRACTURES LEG
Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas was carted off the field in the fourth quarter after suffering a season-ending leg fracture. Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen said he felt bad about the injury because his underthrown pass on the play – a touchdown to Chad Williams – may have contributed.
Thomas has been disgruntled with his contract for months because he wanted more longterm security due to injury fears.
"That's why it's so bittersweet," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "We just turned everything around and everything was going in a positive direction. It breaks my heart we're talking about this right now."
Thomas, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, seemed to make an obscene gesture toward the Seattle sideline as he left the field.
"I don't know," Carroll said. "It's a big stadium. It could be anyone it was aimed at."
State Farm Stadium has not been kind to Seattle's vaunted Legion of Boom secondary. Last season, cornerback Richard Sherman tore his Achilles and safety Kam Chancellor suffered a career-ending neck injury here.
LARGER ROLES FOR BENWIKERE, BUCANNON
Bené Benwikere took over the No. 2 cornerback spot in place of Jamar Taylor. Benwikere finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble, but did miss a crucial tackle on Seahawks wide receiver David Moore, who gained 30 yards on the play.
After seeing a lone defensive snap last week against the Bears, linebacker Deone Bucannon returned to early-down work. Linebacker Haason Reddick and Taylor often replaced him in third-and-long situations. Bucannon finished with five tackles and a forced fumble. He also had a special teams tackle.
CARDINALS MAKE SAM BRADFORD INACTIVE
Mike Glennon backed up Rosen in the game. Sam Bradford was inactive, which saved the Cardinals $312,500 in a per-game roster bonus.
"My decision, nothing detailed," Wilks said. "I just felt again, making the best decision for the team. I wanted to make sure Mike was up if anything happened. So that was it."
