When you're playing for a trip to the Super Bowl, the margin for error shrinks to almost nothing. Every snap matters.
Every decision gets magnified. And one lapse in judgment can swing the momentum-and the scoreboard-in a heartbeat.
That’s the harsh reality Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen faced in the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game. In a game where Seattle was clawing for control, Woolen's two-play sequence became a turning point-and not in the way the Seahawks needed.
It started with a stop. Seattle’s defense had just forced what looked like a critical fourth-and-12 situation, a chance to get the ball back and potentially stretch their lead.
But then came the flag. Woolen, fired up after the play, turned toward the Rams' sideline and let the trash talk fly-right in front of an official.
The taunting penalty was as avoidable as it was costly. Fifteen yards and a fresh set of downs for the Rams.
Sean McVay didn’t hesitate. He saw the moment, saw the matchup, and pounced.
On the very next play, the Rams dialed up a shot to rookie sensation Puka Nacua-and they got exactly what they wanted. Nacua beat Woolen downfield for a back-breaking touchdown that instantly cut the Seahawks’ lead to four and reignited the Rams’ sideline.
In the span of two plays, the Seahawks went from potentially taking control of the game to watching their lead evaporate. And for Woolen, it’s the kind of sequence that’ll stick with him-not just because of the scoreboard, but because of how preventable it was.
In championship football, discipline isn't just a buzzword-it’s a requirement. And on Sunday, the Seahawks learned that lesson the hard way.