It’s Friday, and while the Seattle Seahawks are laser-focused on prepping for the Super Bowl, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate just how close they came to not being here at all. One of the most pivotal plays of the NFC Championship Game-a fourth-down stop that sealed the win-came down to a bit of instinct, awareness, and veteran savvy from DeMarcus Lawrence. And now, we’re getting a closer look at what really went down on that game-defining snap.
With the Rams driving and the game hanging in the balance, Matthew Stafford took the snap on 4th down. The Seahawks were in man coverage, but something didn’t look right.
Kyren Williams leaked out into the flat, and for a split second, it looked like Stafford had his man. But Lawrence-who’s built his 12-year career on reading and reacting-broke off his pass rush and peeled into coverage, blanketing Williams and shutting the door on the Rams' season.
Rams head coach Sean McVay later called it a “fortuitous bust,” suggesting the Seahawks might’ve blown the coverage but lucked into the right result. But from Seattle’s side, it was anything but luck.
Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald admitted he was momentarily confused mid-play, asking himself, “Where’s the end?” as Lawrence dropped back.
But what looked like a busted assignment was actually a heads-up adjustment by a veteran who recognized the threat and made the play.
Lawrence has since opened up about what he saw, and it turns out his decision was rooted in what he called “Law Logic”-a blend of instinct, film study, and experience. He recognized the alignment, anticipated the route, and made a split-second call to abandon his rush and cover the back. That decision might’ve been the difference between a Super Bowl berth and going home.
This will be Lawrence’s first Super Bowl appearance in his 12-year NFL career, and that moment perfectly encapsulates why he’s still making an impact at this stage. It wasn’t about raw athleticism or some exotic blitz scheme-it was about football IQ and trust in his read.
Plays like that don’t always show up in the box score, but they win games. And in this case, they punched Seattle’s ticket to the biggest stage in football.
Let’s take a look at the other stories making headlines as the Seahawks wrap up their week:
Mike Macdonald Named Executive of the Year
John Schneider met with the media Thursday and shared his thoughts on the team’s run, highlighting the work Mike Macdonald has done in his first year. Macdonald has quickly earned league-wide respect, and now he’s got the Seahawks back in the Super Bowl. From installing a new defensive identity to getting buy-in from veterans and rookies alike, Macdonald’s fingerprints are all over this team’s success.
Seahawks Team Barber Headed to the Super Bowl
It’s not just players and coaches making the trip-Efren Garibay, the Seahawks’ team barber, is also packing his clippers for the big game. Garibay has been cutting players’ hair all season and will be on hand to make sure the team looks sharp before kickoff. It’s a small detail, but part of the larger culture that’s helped this team stay tight-knit and focused.
10 Defining Plays of the Season
The Seahawks ran over 2,500 plays this year across offense, defense, and special teams. But a handful of moments truly defined the season-game-changing touchdowns, fourth-down stops, and clutch kicks that swung momentum. It’s those high-leverage plays that separate contenders from the rest, and Seattle had no shortage of them on their path to the Super Bowl.
Senior Bowl Scouting: Future Seahawks on Display
The Seahawks Forever crew broke down Day 2 of Senior Bowl practices, highlighting a few prospects who could be on Seattle’s radar. With the team slated to pick near the end of the first round, the Senior Bowl is a key scouting opportunity. Whether it’s a trench upgrade or a dynamic playmaker, Seattle’s front office is watching closely.
NFC West Update: Rams Hire Bubba Ventrone
In division news, the Rams have brought in Bubba Ventrone as their new special teams coordinator. After a rough season in that phase of the game, Los Angeles is hoping the veteran coach can steady the ship. It’s a notable move as the NFC West continues to evolve heading into 2026.
With the Super Bowl just around the corner, the Seahawks are locked in-but they’re also taking a moment to appreciate the journey. From Lawrence’s clutch play to Macdonald’s leadership and the entire team’s resilience, this run has been anything but ordinary. And now, they’re one win away from bringing another Lombardi Trophy back to Seattle.