The Seattle Seahawks are headed back to the Super Bowl - and they’re doing it with a new identity built by a familiar defensive mind.
Two years after leaving Baltimore, former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald has guided the Seahawks to a 14-3 season and now a trip to Super Bowl 60, thanks to a gritty 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement that Seattle’s blend of physical defense, a balanced offense, and emerging stars is more than just a flash in the pan.
Let’s start with the quarterback play, because it was nothing short of electric. Sam Darnold, yes that Sam Darnold, went toe-to-toe with Matthew Stafford and didn’t blink.
Darnold was sharp, composed, and efficient - 25-of-36 for 346 yards, three touchdowns, no picks, and a 127.8 passer rating. He looked every bit the part of a quarterback in command of his offense and his moment.
It wasn’t just the numbers - it was the poise, the timing, and the way he kept answering every punch Stafford threw.
And Stafford threw plenty. The Rams’ veteran, a future Hall of Famer by most accounts, was equally surgical: 22-of-35, 374 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 127.6 rating. This was a duel, plain and simple - two quarterbacks trading haymakers in a game that never felt out of reach for either side.
But what separated Seattle was their ability to control the game’s tempo when it mattered most. Kenneth Walker carried the ball 19 times for 62 yards and a touchdown - not eye-popping numbers, but he ran with purpose and helped keep the Rams’ defense honest.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ passing game found its rhythm through Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous young receivers in the league. He hauled in 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets, repeatedly finding soft spots in the Rams’ coverage and turning short gains into chunk plays.
The Rams had their own offensive fireworks. Blake Corum and Kyren Williams combined for 94 rushing yards on 19 carries, and in the air, Puka Nacua continued his rise with a monster game: nine catches, 165 yards, and a touchdown. Davante Adams chipped in four grabs for 89 yards and a score, showing that even in a crowded receiver room, he’s still a game-breaker.
But this game ultimately came down to the little things - third-down conversions, red zone efficiency, and timely stops. And that’s where MacDonald’s fingerprints were all over this win.
Seattle’s defense may have given up yards, but they made key stops when it mattered most. They forced punts, tightened up in the red zone, and kept Stafford from pulling off one more late-game miracle.
It’s clear that MacDonald has brought a new edge to this Seahawks team. They’re physical.
They’re disciplined. And they’ve got a quarterback playing the best football of his career at exactly the right time.
Now, they turn their attention to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60 - a matchup that promises to test every inch of their newfound identity. But if this NFC Championship Game was any indication, the Seahawks aren’t just happy to be here.
They’re ready to finish the job.