GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Yes, the Seattle Seahawks do have an offense, and a darn explosive one at that, judging by Sunday's 35-6 dominating victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Consider these facts on a big-play night to remember:
Second-year tight end Luke Willson was the most popular Canadian at Christmas time since Yukon Cornelius. Willson had three catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yarder when the lanky former lacrosse player outran the Arizona secondary.
Quarterback Russell Wilson had 339 yards and two touchdowns passing, the most yards of his career in a regular-season game. He also rushed for 88 yards, including a 55-yard run that was the longest of his career and the second best of any QB this season.
The Seahawks had a franchise record 596 yards of offense, including 267 yards rushing against an Arizona defense that was sixth best in the NFL against the run.
And we can't leave out The Beast. After missing the first quarter, officially with an upset stomach, Marshawn Lynch came in and made the Cardinals feel nauseous with a run that brought back memories of the Beast Quake in 2010. This one was a 79-yard scamper during which he broke four tackles, tight-roped the sideline and dove backward into the end zone.
"That's the best run I've ever seen," Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett said.
Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, who arrived in Seattle the year after the 67-yard Beast Quake run in the playoff game against New Orleans, also was impressed.
"There are no words to describe that," said Baldwin, who contributed to the big-play show with a 49-yard reception and finished with seven catches for 113 yards. "I've never seen anything like that in my life. Twenty years from now, we'll still be talking about it. It was unbelievable. I was blessed with the opportunity to witness that."
Seahawks fans were blessed to witness an offensive performance that proved this team is capable of offensive excellence that can compare to what the defense has done.
Sunday was another outstanding effort by the defense, which has allowed only 33 points over the past five weeks. The inept Arizona offense, run by third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley, had only 29 yards rushing and 216 total yards.
But for the Seahawks to get to where they want to go (back to the Super Bowl), many people wanted to know if the offense could step up and play at a higher level. This was a franchise-record level on the road against one of the better defensive units in the league. And it pushed Seattle (11-4) ahead of Arizona (11-4) in the NFC West standings thanks to the Seahawks having swept the Cardinals this season.
They did it without starting left tackle Russell Okung and starting center Max Unger. They did it after starting receiver Jermaine Kearse left the game early with a hamstring injury.
"Our offense should get all the credit tonight," said cornerback Richard Sherman, who had a 53-yard interception return. "They played a phenomenal football game. And Marshawn, that run was Beast Mode 2. Or maybe that was Beast Mode 1 and the other might be 2 now."
Lynch, Wilson, Willson, Baldwin, etc. They all had big nights. It's all there for taking now for the Seahawks, who will clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs if they beat the St. Louis Rams in Week 17. If the offense plays like this, they just might be back in Glendale come February.