Seattle takes over the NFC's top seed after thrilling comeback victory


Sam Darnold and the Seahawks are now 12-3 and in the driver's seat for the NFC No. 1 seed. Steven Bisig / Imagn Images

The Seattle Seahawks have pulled off a historic rally and pulled into first place in the NFC. After throwing a touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sam Darnold delivered a game-winning two-point conversion pass to little-used tight end Eric Saubert to defeat the Los Angeles Rams, 38-37, in overtime in an instant classic.

The Seahawks overcame a 457-yard, three-touchdown effort by Matthew Stafford and 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns by Puka Nacua. That duo connected on a 41-yard score on the first possession of overtime, but Darnold and the Seattle offense would not be denied. Darnold, who was unsteady much of the night and had two interceptions, made huge plays on the game-winning drive, including a beautiful 21-yard pass to Cooper Kupp before the two scoring plays.

Seattle, which trailed 30-14 in the fourth quarter, had been 0-172 when down 15 or more points in the fourth quarter over the 50-year existence of the franchise.

The Seahawks (12-4) clinched a playoff berth but still has it sights set on the top overall seed in the conference. Darnold finished with 270 passing yards and two touchdowns, and Smith-Njigba had eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown -- all after halftime. Kenneth Walker III had 164 yards from scrimmage.

After a somewhat sleepy first half -- the Rams led 13-7 behind a ground-and-pound game plan, and the Seahawks hardly had the ball -- the big plays came quickly in the second half. Kenneth Walker III ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run on the fourth play of the opening drive of the half, giving Seattle a 14-13 lead. Moments later, though, Matthew Stafford converted a third-and-9 with a 48-yard pass to Xavier Smith, who had gotten behind a normally stout, disciplined Seattle secondary. A Harrison Mevis field goal -- his third of the game -- gave Los Angeles the lead back, 16-14.

Then it was the Los Angeles defense's turn to make a big play. Josh Wallace was in perfect position when San Darnold tried to fire a slant to Rashid Shaheed, and the second-year cornerback took his first career interception back 56 yards all the way to the Seattle 1-yard line. Blake Corum banged it in from there to extend the visitors' lead to 23-14.

After another fruitless Seattle drive, the Rams took off on another lengthy scoring drive, this time with the big play being a 58-yard completion from Stafford to Nacua. Nacua fittingly finished the drive with a 1-yard score off a nifty Stafford pass.

The Seahawks embarked on another long drive and got into the red zone, but defensive lineman Kobie Turner dropped back into coverage, catching Darnold by surprise, and picked off the Seattle quarterback.

At that point, Los Angeles appeared ready to cruise to victory. As it turned out, it was simply Seattle's turn to make the big plays.

The Rams quickly went three-and-out, and Rashid Shaheed took the ensuing punt 58 yards for a touchdown. After another Rams three-and-out, Seattle needed just two plays to cover 57 yards: a 31-yard run by Shaheed on a reverse and then a 26-yard touchdown toss from Darnold to A.J. Barner.

Then came one of the strangest two-point conversions ever: Darnold's screen pass was tipped away by Jared Verse. At least, that's what it looked like. But replays showed Darnold's throw had actually gone backward, and because Zach Charbonnet jogged over and picked up the ball in the end zone before any whistle blew, it counted as a successful two-point conversion. Tie game.

Stafford once again led the Rams down the field, but Mevis' 48-yard field goal leaked wide right. That set up a wild, back-and-forth overtime and, ultimately, plenty of heroics for Darnold.

Darnold, all three phases take turns coming up clutch in key situations
When Sam Darnold is bad, he can be really bad. His first interception was right to Wallace. His second interception was right to Turner. He was clearly fooled on both, and the second one especially looked like it would cost his team a chance to win the game.

But the defense and special teams then took the reins until Darnold could regain his composure. Immediately after Darnold's second interception, the defense forced a quick punt, leading to Shaheed's punt return touchdown. That was the first of three straight three-and-outs by Los Angeles. Overall, the Rams managed just four first downs and zero points over their final five drives of regulation.

Those are just a few of the ways the Seahawks managed to win a game in which they were out-gained 581-415. Also helping ...

o The Rams scored touchdowns on just three of six red-zone trips.
o The Seahawks converted all three two-point conversions. They're the first team to convert three two-point conversions since the Cowboys in 2020. The first -- to Kupp -- and the third were extremely well-designed and well-executed. The wild Charbonnet conversion just shows that it's important to play through the whistle ... and get a little luck.
o The Seahawks now have four special teams touchdowns, tied for most in the NFL.

Furthermore, one of the league's worst rushing attacks produced 171 yards against one of the league's best rush defenses. Walker was outstanding, and Charbonnet came up big in big scenarios.

Playoff impact: Seahawks get huge boost, but 49ers happy too
Here's the updated top seven in the NFC:

1. Seahawks (12-3)
2. Bears (10-4)
3. Eagles (9-5)
4. Buccaneers (7-7)
5. Rams (11-4)
6. 49ers (10-4)
7. Packers (9-4-1)

The Seahawks are in a great spot, but their win also helps the 49ers significantly. The 49ers face the Colts in Week 16, the Bears in Week 17, and ... the Seahawks in Week 18. Remember, the 49ers beat the Seahawks in Week 1. If San Francisco is within a game of Seattle come Week 18, it could have a chance to take the No. 1 seed in the NFC -- or at least the NFC West crown -- with a win.

Meanwhile, the Rams fall all the way to the No. 5 seed, and they could go all the way to No. 6 if the 49ers beat the Colts on Monday night.

Stafford adds to MVP candidacy in loss, but Rams miss too many opportunities
Consider this: The Rams are the only team since at least 1940 to have ...

o 500+ total yards
o 3 or more takeaways
o no turnovers
o ... and lose.

Stafford was absolutely magnificent. So, too, was Nacua. But red-zone and short-yardage miscues and misfortune (a questionable ineligible man downfield penalty at the 1-yard line) came back to bite the Rams, as did a very poor special teams performance.

These are the issues that stick out most as potential pitfalls for an otherwise excellent team. The Rams are dead last in special teams expected points added. For as good as the offense is, the Rams are just 19th in third-down conversion rate, and that falls to 27th on third-and-3 or shorter.

Still, it's hard not to talk about Stafford, who somehow has never even received an MVP vote but seems on the brink of wrapping up the award. This was his third game this season with 375+ passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, tied for the most in a single season ever.

Nacua, meanwhile, overcame a roller-coaster week to have one of the finest performances by a pass catcher in recent memory. On Tuesday, Nacua appeared on a live stream in which he made comments disparaging NFL referees and did an antisemitic dance -- one that he pledged to do if he scored a touchdown. Nacua issued an apology for doing the dance Thursday before the game, and the Rams and the NFL also issued statements. Coach Sean McVay also apologized postgame.

On the field, Nacua was terrific throughout the game. He won on short routes, he won on intermediate routes, and he won on deep routes. He was a load to bring down once he had the ball in his hands. With no Davante Adams, Nacua became the first player with a 12/225/2 receiving stat line since Tyreek Hill in 2020.

Source