Sam Darnold, Seahawks' Defense Shine as Seattle Punches Ticket to Super Bowl
SEATTLE - The Seahawks are heading back to the Super Bowl, and they’re doing it behind the arm of Sam Darnold and the swagger of a defense that calls itself the “Dark Side.”
In a high-stakes NFC Championship showdown that lived up to the billing, Seattle outlasted the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in a game that came down to one final defensive stand. With the Rams knocking on the door at the Seattle 6-yard line and just over a minute left, Matthew Stafford looked to force the issue on fourth-and-4. But Devon Witherspoon had other plans, breaking up the pass in the end zone and sealing the Seahawks’ first Super Bowl berth in 11 years.
This was a statement win for a team that’s been building something special under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald. And for Darnold - yes, that Sam Darnold - it was a career-defining performance.
The eight-year veteran, now on his fifth NFL team, turned in one of the best games of his professional life, throwing for 346 yards and three touchdowns without a single turnover. He played through an oblique injury and looked every bit the composed, confident quarterback Seattle needed.
“It’s amazing,” Darnold said postgame. “To be able to do it with these guys in this locker room, with this coaching staff - that’s why it means the world to me.”
Darnold’s poise was matched by his playmakers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was electric, hauling in 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown - the second-highest receiving total in Seahawks playoff history. Cooper Kupp, facing his former team, added a 13-yard touchdown grab late in the third quarter to give Seattle a 31-20 lead.
But the Rams weren’t going quietly. After a third-down pass breakup by Riq Woolen, a taunting penalty gave Los Angeles new life.
Stafford capitalized immediately, hitting Puka Nacua for a 34-yard touchdown that pulled the Rams within four. The Rams then forced a Seattle punt and mounted a 14-play, 84-yard drive that had the makings of a game-winner - until Witherspoon stepped in with the play of the night.
Stafford finished with 374 yards and three touchdowns, but the Rams were haunted by a few critical mistakes. The biggest came in the third quarter when returner Xavier Smith muffed a punt deep in Rams territory. Seattle didn’t waste the opportunity - Darnold found Jake Bobo on the next play for a 17-yard score that pushed the lead to 24-13.
Seattle’s defense bent but didn’t break. Witherspoon’s fourth-down pass breakup was the exclamation point, but the unit made timely plays throughout the night.
And when it came time to close it out, Darnold and the offense stayed aggressive. Three clutch completions on the final drive chewed up the clock and left the Rams with just 25 seconds to work with.
Nacua was tackled inbounds near midfield as time expired.
Kenneth Walker III added a rushing touchdown for Seattle, while Davante Adams and Kyren Williams each caught scores for the Rams. Still, the night belonged to the Seahawks - and to a quarterback who’s been waiting a long time for this kind of moment.
Injury Notes
The Rams saw wide receiver Jordan Whittington exit in the third quarter with a chest injury. Defensive end Kobie Turner also left with cramps. For Seattle, linebacker Drake Thomas left in the fourth with a shoulder injury, and fullback Brady Russell injured his hand in the second half and didn’t return.
What’s Next
For the Rams, the offseason brings questions - none bigger than what the future holds for Matthew Stafford, who turns 38 next month. This might have been his last, best shot at another ring.
For the Seahawks, it’s time to chase a second Super Bowl title. The last one came in the 2013 season, when Pete Carroll’s “Legion of Boom” ruled the NFL. Now, under Macdonald and with a new identity on both sides of the ball, Seattle is back in the big game - and they’re bringing the “Dark Side” with them.