Sam Darnold wasn’t supposed to be the story. Heading into the Divisional Round matchup against the 49ers, the headlines were elsewhere - Seattle’s defense, the challenge of facing a physical San Francisco team, and yes, Darnold’s oblique injury that popped up late in the week. But when the lights came on, Darnold delivered exactly what the Seahawks needed: steady, mistake-free football that kept the offense on schedule and the scoreboard moving.
Let’s get this out of the way first - no, Darnold didn’t light up the stat sheet. He finished 12-of-17 for 124 yards, one touchdown, and most importantly, zero turnovers.
But context matters. Seattle wasn’t asking him to win the game on his own.
They were asking him to manage the offense, avoid costly mistakes, and capitalize on opportunities when they presented themselves. Mission accomplished.
The touchdown pass? That was a veteran play.
Darnold felt pressure, rolled to his left, and fired a laser to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the corner of the end zone. It was the kind of throw that requires timing, touch, and trust - and Darnold put it where only his receiver could make the play.
JSN did the rest, dragging his feet just inside the boundary. That sequence didn’t just put points on the board - it showed a quarterback in command of the moment.
There had been some noise in the lead-up to the game, with critics suggesting that any struggles from Darnold could be chalked up to his injury - a “built-in excuse,” as it was put. But the reality was quite the opposite.
Darnold didn’t just play through the injury; he played clean, composed football and exited in the fourth quarter with his team up 41-6. At that point, his job was done.
And done well.
This wasn’t about proving doubters wrong or silencing talking heads. It was about executing Klint Kubiak’s game plan and doing what the moment required.
Seattle’s offense didn’t need fireworks - it needed precision, poise, and protection of the football. Darnold delivered all three.
Now, the stakes rise. Seattle moves on to the NFC Championship Game, where they’ll face either the Bears or the Rams.
And let’s be real - Darnold may need to do more next week. The margin for error tightens, and the pressure only builds from here.
But what he showed against San Francisco was that he’s capable of rising to the moment when the team needs him.
The jokes about “seeing ghosts” are in the rearview. Sam Darnold is seeing the field clearly now, and he’s giving the Seahawks exactly what they need from their quarterback.
Whether or not this run ends in the Super Bowl, one thing is clear: Darnold and the Seahawks can’t be overlooked. Not anymore.