GLENDALE, Ariz. — Drew Lock needed two snaps to make his case.
Making his first start of the season in place of an injured Sam Darnold, the Seattle quarterback hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba for an 82-yard touchdown on the second play of the Seahawks’ opening drive Sunday, staking the visitors to a 7-0 lead over the Arizona Cardinals with 12:25 left in the first quarter.
Seattle had taken over at its own 14 after forcing Arizona into a three-and-out to begin the game, a 35-yard punt pinning the Seahawks deep. A four-yard run on first down gained little. On the next snap, Lock went deep for Smith-Njigba, and the receiver did the rest.
The possession lasted 54 seconds and covered 86 yards on two plays. Jason Myers added the extra point.
Lock drew the assignment after Darnold sustained a glute injury in Seattle’s Week 1 win over New England. The pairing has history: Lock’s signature moment in his first stint with the Seahawks was a game-winning 29-yard touchdown throw to Smith-Njigba against Philadelphia in Week 15 of the 2023 season.
Arizona’s offense, meanwhile, had yet to find traction. Through its first two possessions the Cardinals had managed 16 net yards, with Seattle’s defense recording a sack and three tackles for loss.
The 82-yard connection stands as the longest play from scrimmage by either side and the game’s first touchdown. Lock was 1-for-1 for 82 yards and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
Seattle, which opened the season with a 13-10 win over the Patriots, visits Washington next Sunday.
First-quarter report: Cardinals 0, Seahawks 7, 8:34 remaining in the first quarter. Follow the live game here.
