NFL: Seattle Seahawks overturn 16-point deficit against Los Angeles Rams to secure playoff spot in overtime thriller
The Seattle Seahawks clinch a play-off berth with a 38-37 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Rams after coming from 16 points down in the fourth quarter; Sam Darnold throws two touchdowns while Matthew Stafford throws for 457 yards and three scores in NFC West clash
Friday 19 December 2025 07:28, UK
Sam Darnold connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown in overtime before hitting a wide-open Eric Saubert for the winning two-point conversion as the Seattle Seahawks rallied from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 on Thursday night and take a one-game lead in the NFC West.
The Seahawks went three for three on two-point conversions, none more improbable than the one that tied the game at 30-all in the fourth quarter. Darnold's deflected pass intended for Zach Charbonnet was initially ruled incomplete, but after a replay review was determined to be a backward pass. Charbonnet, who had casually picked up the loose ball in the end zone, was credited with the two points.
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The Rams got the ball first in overtime and Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua, who cruised untouched into the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown to make it 37-30.
Nacua finished with 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns, and Stafford had 457 yards passing - the third-most of his career - and three scores as the Rams' offense totalled 581 yards without a turnover.
Stats leaders:
Rams
- Passing: Matthew Stafford, 29/49, 457 yards, 3 TDs
- Rushing: Kyren Williams, 23 carries, 70 yards
- Receiving: Puka Nacua, 12 catches, 225 yards, 2 TDs
Seahawks
- Passing: Sam Darnold, 22/34, 270 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
- Rushing: Kenneth Walker, 11 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 8 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD
Nonetheless, the Seahawks came up with some big stops in the fourth quarter that were crucial to Seattle's rally. The Rams had four punts and a missed field goal on their final five possessions of regulation.
Seattle (12-3) clinched a play-off spot and moved into position for the top seed in the NFC, while LA (11-4) faces a road playoff opener if it can't overtake the Seahawks in the final two weeks of the season.
The Seahawks trailed 30-14 when Rashid Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown and Darnold connected with Cooper Kupp for the two-point conversion. After a three-and-out by the Rams, Darnold found tight end AJ Barner for a 26-yard TD, and Charbonnet tied it on the quirky 2-point play.
Darnold, who threw four interceptions against the Rams in a 21-19 loss on November 16, was picked off twice in this one, including by 297-pound defensive end Kobie Turner. But he made clutch throws in the fourth quarter and OT, finishing with 270 yards passing and two touchdowns.
After a slow start, Smith-Njigba had eight catches for 96 yards and the score.
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