Seattle Seahawks Edge Los Angeles Rams 38-37 in Overtime Thriller to Secure Playoff Spot
The Seattle Seahawks secured a playoff berth with a thrilling 38-37 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams, improving their record to 12-3 while the Rams fell to 11-4.
During overtime, Sam Darnold orchestrated a nine-play, 65-yard drive culminating in a touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which gave Seattle the go-ahead score. The Seahawks then sealed the victory with a successful two-point conversion to Eric Saubert.
Seattle's comeback featured three two-point conversion attempts between the fourth quarter and overtime, including a controversial live-ball play on a Zach Charbonnet two-point try after a backward pass. Earlier in the sequence, the comeback included a punt-return touchdown by Rashid Shaheed and a Cooper Kupp two-point conversion.
For the Rams, Harrison Mevis missed a go-ahead field goal with 6:23 remaining in regulation.
Matthew Stafford finished with impressive statistics, completing 29 of 49 passes for 457 yards and three touchdowns without any interceptions or sacks. On the Seattle side, Darnold completed 22 of 34 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Kenneth Walker III rushed for 100 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, with Charbonnet also scoring on the ground.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a key contributor, catching eight passes for 96 yards and a receiving touchdown, including the overtime score from Darnold. Wide receiver Puka Nacua recorded 12 receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns; he also publicly apologized for an antisemitism-related controversy during the week.
