Seahawks Storm Back, Overtake Rams in Overtime Thriller to Seize NFC West Lead
If you thought the NFC West was locked up heading into Week 16, the Seattle Seahawks had other plans. In a game that had all the drama of a playoff showdown-and then some-Seattle pulled off one of the most resilient comebacks of the season, rallying from a second-half deficit to stun the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 in overtime at Lumen Field.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
Down for most of the second half and looking like they were about to get swept by their division rivals, the Seahawks flipped the script in the fourth quarter. Mike Macdonald’s team rattled off 16 unanswered points, capped by a clutch touchdown grab from Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a successful two-point conversion that forced overtime. And when it mattered most, Seattle delivered.
The victory moves the Seahawks to 12-3 on the season and, more importantly, vaults them into sole possession of first place in the NFC West. The Rams, who had taken the first matchup between these two teams back in Week 11, fall to 11-4 and now sit just behind Seattle in the divisional race.
NFC West Standings After Week 16 (Thursday Night)
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4) - set to face the Colts in Week 16
- Arizona Cardinals (3-11) - will play the Falcons in Week 16
The win doesn’t just give Seattle the edge in the standings-it also keeps them alive in the tiebreaker conversation. The Seahawks avoided a season sweep by the Rams, which could prove crucial down the stretch. And while they now control their own destiny, the road to the NFC West crown is far from over.
San Francisco, sitting at 10-4, is still very much in the picture. The 49ers own a head-to-head win over Seattle from Week 1, giving them the current tiebreaker.
That makes their Week 18 rematch with the Seahawks potentially one of the most important games of the season. Buckle up.
NFC Playoff Picture
With Thursday night’s win, the Seahawks have officially clinched a playoff berth-and not just any spot. They now sit atop the NFC as the No. 1 seed heading into Week 17. That means home-field advantage is theirs to lose, and with two weeks left in the regular season, every snap just got a little more important.
As for the Rams, the loss stings, but they’ve already punched their postseason ticket. At 11-4, they currently hold the No. 5 seed.
And while the path to reclaiming the division title and top seed just got steeper, it’s not out of reach. They’ll need help, but this is still a team capable of making noise in January.
Final Takeaway
This was a heavyweight battle between two playoff-bound teams, and it delivered on every level. Seattle showed guts, poise, and a whole lot of grit to pull off the comeback. The Rams, despite the loss, proved they’re still one of the NFC’s most dangerous squads.
But for now, the Seahawks are in the driver’s seat. And after a win like that, they’ve earned it.