In what was dubbed the biggest regular season game in Cardinals history, they were given a spanking. An absolute spanking.

“We have seen magic tonight by the Seattle Seahawks” — Cris Collinsworth

Penalties kept it close for a while — and several uncharacteristic misses by Steven Hauschka. In fact that’s pretty much the only negative tonight. How will Hauschka respond? Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby had a night like this once and it spiraled out of control. Is he the type to put it behind him quickly? Who knows. We’ve never needed to ask that question before given his success-rate in Seattle.

Apart from the missed field goals it was just a magnificent display from the NFL’s true top dogs. They’ve fought through the drama. They’re united. And they’re ready for January.

Final score: 35-6

— Russell Wilson was the ultimate playmaker on just an incredible night. He will be a $100m quarterback in the off-season and Seattle can celebrate that fact with gusto.

— Let’s all plead with the Seahawks front office — don’t cut Marshawn Lynch. Keep him. Pay him. Enjoy him. Enough said.

— The offensive line — minus Russell Okung and Max Unger — was superb. For the most part they kept Wilson clean (one sack conceded) and pushed around a formidable Cardinals D-line in the run game. Justin Britt had a much improved performance which is encouraging. In fact he was excellent on first viewing. Alvin Bailey just looked so comfortable on the left side in relief of Okung. They took Lemuel Jeanpierre out as a backup to the injured J.R. Sweezy but he wasn’t needed. Patrick Lewis who did start at center was unnoticeable — which means he played well. Anyone who doubts Tom Cable should always come back to this game to see what a brilliant coach he is. Remember, this is a Cardinals defense that has destroyed so many teams this year.

— You could list the penalty issue as a negative. But this is Seattle under Pete Carroll. They’ve always been penalized. The best teams just get more penalties for some reason. There were some real bonehead flags today (Michael Bennett’s back-to-back offsides) but it didn’t impact the game with the Seahawks dominating so much.

— Luke Willson has everything you want from a playmaking tight end — apart from consistent hands. Today he schooled Larry Foote. If the Seahawks can get him in mismatch situations like this he’ll make more plays. He’s a potential X-factor and a big play artist even if he isn’t Mr. Reliable and the orthodox reliable possession receiver with size they need (and want).

— We’ve talked about Michael Bennett a lot over the last few games. He is legitimately playing as well as any defensive lineman in the league not named J.J. Watt. Tonight he chewed up double teams to allow other linemen to run free. Arizona picked their poison and chose to try and stop Bennett but they couldn’t stop the Seahawks as a unit. He got a sack with three minutes to go and it was thoroughly deserved.

— Jordan Hill has five sacks in his last five games.

— The Seahawks had 596 total yards (a franchise record) compared to Arizona’s 216. The defense now leads the league in yardage and scoring. Only three teams have done that back-to-back in NFL history, including the ’85 Bears. This is a defense for the ages.

— Pete Carroll has lot one game in prime time since arriving in Seattle. One game in five seasons.

A victory against Shaun Hill and the Rams next week will secure the NFC West title and homefield advantage (unless Green Bay and Detroit tie). The Pete Carroll Seahawks are playing as well as they ever have. What a scary thought for the rest of the league.