Seahawks Defeat Rams 31‑27 to Secure NFC Championship and Super Bowl 60 Spot
Updated (2 articles)
Seahawks clinch NFC title with 31‑27 victory over Rams Seattle stopped Los Angeles at 31‑27, earning its fourth Super Bowl appearance and guaranteeing a spot in Super Bowl 60 on February 8 [1]. The win came after a back‑and‑forth fourth quarter in which the Rams narrowed the gap to four points before Seattle’s defense sealed the game. Seattle entered the contest as the NFC’s No. 1 seed after a 14‑win regular season [1].
Sam Darnold throws for 346 yards and three touchdowns despite injury The quarterback completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three scores while battling an oblique strain [1]. Darnold’s breakout season follows a turbulent eight‑year, five‑team journey that included a playoff loss with the Vikings last year [1]. His leadership was highlighted by teammates and coaches as a key factor in the victory [1].
Devon Witherspoon’s late‑quarter stops preserve Seattle’s lead Witherspoon forced a critical turnover on a fourth‑and‑four at Seattle’s six‑yard line and later tackled Puka Nacua in‑bounds to run out the clock [1]. Those plays halted a Rams comeback and underscored the “Dark Side” defense’s reputation for game‑saving moments [1]. The defensive unit’s performance was praised as pivotal after the Rams repeatedly threatened the lead [1].
Historical Super Bowl context and upcoming Patriots matchup Seattle’s lone championship came in the 2013 season, with recent losses in Super Bowl 49 to New England and a prior defeat to the Patriots [1]. The team will seek redemption against the Patriots again in Super Bowl 60, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on February 8 [1]. Coaches Mike Macdonald and safety Julian Love lauded Darnold’s poise and Witherspoon’s energy as essential to the win [1].
Timeline
2013 season (Feb 2, 2014) – Seattle captures its first Super Bowl title, defeating the Denver Broncos and establishing the franchise as a championship contender [1].
2014 season (Feb 1, 2015) – The Seahawks suffer a 28‑24 loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 49, marking their most recent championship defeat [1].
2024 season – Quarterback Sam Darnold guides the Minnesota Vikings to a 14‑3 record and earns a Pro Bowl selection, but the team falls in the playoffs after he absorbs nine sacks against the Rams [2].
2025 regular season – Darnold posts a career‑best 67.7 % completion rate with 25 touchdown passes, while also turning the ball over 20 times (14 interceptions, six fumbles); Seattle’s defense records 26 straight games without allowing a 100‑yard rusher and ties for seventh‑most sacks (47) league‑wide [2].
Nov 16, 2025 – In a pivotal matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, Darnold’s performance dips, and his touchdown‑to‑interception ratio slides to eight each over the final eight games, though the Seahawks still win seven of those contests [2].
Jan 8, 2026 – Seahawks coaches and teammates publicly back Darnold ahead of the postseason: right tackle Abe Lucas says, “His success this season proves he deserves Pro Bowl‑level recognition and he should stay dialed in through the process,” while wide receiver Jake Bobo adds, “We’ll find ways to win regardless of the stats; he’ll come through in the clutch” [2]. The team also celebrates Jason Myers breaking the NFL single‑season scoring record with 171 points [2].
Jan 26, 2026 – Seattle defeats the Los Angeles Rams 31‑27 in the NFC Championship, securing its fourth Super Bowl berth. Darnold throws for 346 yards and three touchdowns despite an oblique injury, and cornerback Devon Witherspoon forces a decisive fourth‑down turnover and later stops Puka Nacua to run out the clock [1]. Coaches and teammates praise Darnold’s leadership and Witherspoon’s “Dark Side” defensive energy as the keys to the win [1].
Feb 8, 2026 (3:30 p.m.) – The Seahawks are slated to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60, seeking redemption for their 2014 loss and aiming for a second championship in franchise history [1].
All related articles (2 articles)
External resources (1 links)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Akers (cited 1 times)