Beauty of a Beast — Lynch's career-long run bad news for NFL

Marshawn Lynch was on the bench for the start of Sunday night's monster showdown in Arizona, befallen with what the team called "an upset stomach." But by the time the night was over, there were 31 other teams looking for the Pepto, ready to throw up after what they saw on the field.

Lynch did not enter the game until the second quarter — did not touch the ball until less than eight minutes remained in the first half — with the Seahawks trailing the host Cardinals 3-0. By the time he was done, this is what the stat sheet looked like:

• Lynch: 10 carries, 113 yards, 2 TDs — including a career-long 79-yard scoring run

• Seattle Seahawks: 267 yards rushing, 596 total yards (a franchise record)

• Final score: Seahawks 35, Cardinals 6

And now, with only one game remaining, the defending champions sit tied for first place in the NFC West and, by virtue of their season sweep of Arizona (both teams are 11-4), own the tiebreaker. They also have the inside lane to the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs and thus home field to the Super Bowl. For a look at the latest playoff scenarios, click here.

And no single play embodies both the way the Seahawks have muscled their way to the top of the standings and the downhill freight train that seems headed for any team that stands in its way than that 79-yarder that made it 28-6 Seahawks in the fourth quarter. Take a look and enjoy — unless you're a Cardinals fan (or a fan of any playoff-bound team for that matter).

Lynch, running up the sideline, broke a Patrick Peterson and Rashad Johnson tackle and raced upfield for the score. It's a touchdown reminiscent of his legendary "earthquake run" in the January 2011 wild card game against the New Orleans Saints.

That run was only 67 yards but contained equal amounts of punishment — and the home crowd's reaction was so extreme, the shaking at CenturyLink (then Qwest) Field even registered on the Richter scale.

Take a look at the similarities — paying particular attention to the dive into the end zone.

That run put the Seahawks and Lynch on the map. Sunday night's run put the game out of reach — and may have put the Seahawks back in the driver's seat for a Super Bowl run.

Lynch's teammates sure were impressed.

"If you love football, it's got to be one of the best runs of all time," quarterback Russell Wilson said after the game. "He's had one before I believe, in Seahawks history, so to watch that one was pretty cool."

When he made it to the end zone, Lynch spun around in mid-air and briefly grabbed his crotch. The display didn't bother veteran Arizona linebacker Larry Foote.

"They can do whatever they want when they're winning," Foote said. "It's our job to stop them from getting in the end zone. He did a good job of getting in there."

Of course, Lynch wasn't saying much of anything.

When asked about the run, he told the media, "Thanks for asking."

Following his recent postgame chats after fines for not speaking to the media, Lynch fittingly said the same thing to every other question.

And of course, social media had plenty to say. Regardless of sport, Lynch was the apple of every athlete's eye Sunday night.

One last note — if the Seahawks do make it back to the Super Bowl, Lynch should be a very happy man. Super Bowl XLIX will on the same field as Sunday night's game, University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Good luck, NFC.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report