Once considered a bust, thrown aside by the New York Jets who took him #3 overall just eight years ago, Sam Darnold has now led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl in his first season.
The quarterback, who was known for underperforming in big games, vanquished ghosts of the past en route to a three touchdown performance. The Seahawks’ stellar defense, nicknamed the “Dark Side,” also came through when it mattered most, securing a late fourth-down stop for a 31-27 win and a trip to San Francisco for Super Bowl LX.
Despite the 346-yard, three-touchdown, and no-turnover performance from Darnold, along with the 153-yard and a touchdown production from star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Rams’ offense showed up too and kept the entire game competitive.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford did not back down for a moment, throwing for 374 yards and three touchdowns through the air. However, a few key mistakes became the story of the game for Los Angeles.
After a second-half opening stop for the Rams defense, Xavier Smith muffed the punt, gifting the Seahawks with another possession.
Darnold then cashed in fast with an 18-yard touchdown pass on the first play to wide receiver Jake Bobo, extending the Seahawks’ lead to 24-13, tying their largest lead of the night.
After extending the lead to 31-20 late in the third quarter, from another Darnold touchdown pass, this time to the former Ram Cooper Kupp, the Seahawks were in control.
However, a Tariq Woolen taunting penalty following a pass breakup on a 3rd and 12 stop cracked the Rams’ season window back open.
On the next play, Stafford found Nacua deep, over the head of Woolen, for a 34-yard touchdown, bringing the Rams back within a touchdown with just a quarter to play. At the time, this mistake felt killer for the Seahawks, but they would hold on.
Devon Witherspoon stepped up and made the play in the endzone, breaking up a pass in the direction of Terrance Ferguson to practically clinch the win for the Seahawks.
The Rams got the ball back with just 25 seconds left and zero timeouts. After Puka Nacua was tackled in bounds, the clock ran out on the Rams’ season.
The Seahawks take the final game from their division rivals and return to their first Super Bowl in 11 years for a rematch against the New England Patriots.
The Rams, however, move into a critical offseason with many decisions to be made. They’ll look to address an aging Matthew Stafford and fill necessary holes on their roster.