Seahawks head to Super Bowl LX with exciting win over Rams

Along with a trip to Super Bowl LX, the third meeting between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams features another exciting clash in the northwest.

But just like last time in an overtime game between the NFC West foes, the Seahawks defended home-field advantage.

The Seahawks head to Santa Clara to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX after beating the Rams 31-27 on Sunday night.

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This contest featured an offensive onslaught with a total of 28 third quarter points, underscoring what would be a tension-filled fourth quarter.

The biggest moment in this back-and-forth battle came on the 14th play of the Rams’ first drive of the quarter, when head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford decided to scramble at Seattle’s six-yard line on fourth-and-4.

A touchdown could have given the Rams the lead, and Stafford looked like he didn’t want to come out down four points with 4:54 left in the game.

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Stafford scouted the end zone as he dropped back and attempted to throw a pass to Terrence Ferguson, but Devon Witherspoon was in full coverage and turned the ball over on downs.

This was a big stop for the Seattle defense, which held an 11-point lead until a critical error by Riq Woolen, who was called for a cynical penalty after a third-and-12 stop on the previous Rams drive. The 15-yard penalty allowed Stafford and his team to stay on the field, and Woolen threw a touchdown pass to Puka Nacua to make it 31-27.

But Sam Darnold, who had been spectacular throughout this contest, knew the game was in his hands. A couple of first downs and the Rams’ remaining timeouts would seal a job well done and the NFC title.

A big play came from Darnold, who found veteran receiver Cooper Kupp on third-and-4, and Kupp reached out to pick up the first down to keep the drive alive. The call looked like one McVay might challenge, but he kept the red flag in his pocket instead of punting because he would lose the timeout.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks makes a one-handed catch in front of Cobie Durant #14 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter of the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

It may have led to a reversal of the first-down call, but hindsight was 20/20 when running back Kenneth Walker III and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba did what it took to ice this game.

Stafford had a miraculous chance with 25 seconds left in the game, but without a timeout, the Rams hung their heads after Nacua was left in bounds on a catch and the game ended in heartbreak.

But that’s not the case for the Seahawks and their famous “The 12” fan base, who are celebrating a return trip to the Big Game for the first time since 2014. And isn’t it fitting that they face the Patriots team that beat them in Super Bowl XLIX when Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson at the goal line?

Aside from the Rams’ fumble fourth down, their other big mistakes came on special teams; Returner Xavier Smith muffed a punt that was recovered by Seattle and turned into a Jake Bobo touchdown. It was the double-digit lead the Seahawks were hoping for, and the score grew to 24-13 after Darnold’s stunning throw.

Speaking of which, Darnold went 25-of-36 for 346 yards with three touchdowns, including one to Smith-Njigba (10 catches, 153 yards) in the first half and another to Kupp (four catches, 36 yards) in the third quarter. He played an excellent game; It was needed considering what Stafford was doing on the other end.

Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a first-quarter touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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He was 22-for-35 for 374 yards and three touchdowns and found outs Davante Adams (four catches, 89 yards) and Kyren Williams.

Nacua led the game with 165 yards on nine receptions, but the Seahawks’ efforts would come to nothing without Walker, once again setting the tone by playing without his offseason counterpart Zach Charbonnet. He had 111 rushing yards with his rushing score.

Thus, the Super Bowl, the last game of the 2025 NFL season, will be played at Levi’s Stadium on February 8.

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