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Sam Darnold Set to Start Super Bowl as Seahawks Secure NFC Crown

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Seahawks clinch 31‑27 victory and fourth Super Bowl berth Seattle defeated the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium, earning its first Super Bowl appearance since the 2014 season and its fourth overall. The win advances the Seahawks to face the New England Patriots on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California [2][5][1].

Darnold delivers 346 yards, three TDs while nursing oblique strain The quarterback completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers, despite an oblique injury reported earlier in the playoffs [1][3][5]. His performance secured the starting role for Super Bowl LX, marking his first career championship game after five team changes and a $100.5 million contract signed in March 2025 [1][6].

Smith‑Njigba and Kupp fuel Seattle’s offensive rhythm Wide receiver Jaxon Smith‑Njigba recorded 153 receiving yards on ten catches, the second‑most ever in a Seahawks playoff game, and added a touchdown [2][5]. Veteran receiver Cooper Kupp contributed a 13‑yard touchdown catch and helped sustain drives throughout the contest [5][1].

Defensive stops and a taunting penalty shape the final minutes Cornerback Devon Witherspoon broke up a fourth‑down pass at the Seattle six‑yard line, preserving the lead, while cornerback Riq Woolen’s taunting penalty gave the Rams a first down that led to a 34‑yard touchdown [4][5]. Both players received public support from coaches and teammates despite the controversy [4][5].

Seahawks enter as 4½‑point favorites and Darnold earns $500k bonus BetMGM lists Seattle as a 4.5‑point favorite over New England, reflecting confidence after a 14‑3 regular season [1][6]. Darnold’s contract includes a $500,000 incentive for reaching the Super Bowl, adding to his earlier playoff bonuses [6].

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Timeline

Nov 30, 2025 – Seattle shuts out Minnesota 26‑0, its first shutout since 2015 and the Vikings’ first since 2007; Ernest Jones IV returns an 85‑yard pick‑six and the defense limits the Vikings to 162 total yards. [29][30]

Dec 1, 2025 – After the shutout, the Seahawks climb to a 9‑3 tie for the NFC West lead and stress that a division title is required for a top‑four seed; analysts note the remaining schedule is among the toughest in the league. [28]

Dec 4, 2025 – Seattle, now 9‑3, prepares to face Atlanta, aiming for another shutout while highlighting Ernest Jones IV’s return to health and the team’s 40‑sack defense. [26][27]

Dec 7, 2025 – Rashid Shaheed returns a kickoff 100 yards for a TD as Seattle beats the Falcons 37‑9; Darnold throws for 249 yards and three touchdowns, and the win lifts the Seahawks to 10‑3. [25]

Dec 8, 2025 – The Seahawks improve to 10‑3 after the Atlanta victory, maintain a 98 % chance of reaching the postseason, but remain behind the Rams in the NFC West tiebreaker. [24]

Dec 14, 2025 – Seattle edges Indianapolis 18‑16; kicker Jason Myers sets a franchise record with six field goals, including a 56‑yard game‑winner in the final seconds. [23]

Dec 16, 2025 – With an 11‑3 record, Seattle sits level with the Rams; the Rams hold the division tiebreaker, and a win in the next game would clinch Seattle’s playoff berth. [22]

Dec 19, 2025 – Seattle rallies from a 16‑point deficit to defeat the Rams 38‑37 in overtime, becoming the first NFL team to win on an overtime two‑point conversion; Darnold throws the OT TD to Jaxon Smith‑Njigba and the winning two‑point to Eric Saubert. [21][20]

Dec 28, 2025 – The Seahawks beat Carolina 27‑10, extending their win streak to six; Zach Charbonnet rushes for 110 yards and two TDs while Darnold adds 147 passing yards and a TD. [17][18]

Jan 4, 2026 – Seattle clinches the No. 1 seed and NFC West title with a 13‑3 win over San Francisco, securing a home divisional game; Darnold completes 20‑of‑26 passes for 198 yards with no turnovers. [16]

Jan 5, 2026 – The Seahawks lock in the No. 1 seed after the Week 18 victory, confirming a playoff run from Jan 10 to Feb 8 and confirming Super Bowl 60 will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. [4]

Jan 11, 2026 – Seattle announces it will host the 49ers in the NFC divisional playoff at Lumen Field; ticket prices start at $524 and the opponent will be the lowest‑seeded survivor. [14]

Jan 15, 2026 – Quarterback Sam Darnold suffers a left oblique strain in practice, is listed as questionable for the divisional game, but says the odds of sitting out are “near zero.” [13]

Jan 15, 2026 – The Seahawks officially list Darnold as questionable with an oblique injury ahead of the divisional matchup, noting coaches will assess his mobility in pre‑game warmups. [3]

Jan 16, 2026 – Wide receiver Jaxon Smith‑Njigba sets Seattle single‑season records with 1,793 receiving yards and 119 catches, earning AP All‑Pro first‑team honors. [9]

Jan 16, 2026 – Seattle enters the divisional round as a seven‑point favorite over San Francisco; Darnold leaves practice early with oblique discomfort, and veteran Drew Lock is listed as the backup. [10]

Jan 16, 2026 – The Seahawks host the 49ers for a third meeting of the season in the divisional round, with the previous 13‑3 win featuring only 173 total yards allowed by Seattle. [11][12]

Jan 16, 2026 – The Broncos and Seahawks lead a wide‑open NFL title race into the Divisional Round; Seattle, the NFC top seed, is viewed as the marginal favorite to win Super Bowl 60 over the Rams. [1]

Jan 22, 2026 – After playing through his oblique injury in the 41‑6 divisional win over the 49ers, Darnold says he feels “really good” and is aggressively rehabbing for the upcoming NFC Championship. [8]

Jan 26, 2026 – Seattle defeats the Los Angeles Rams 31‑27 in the NFC Championship, securing a Super Bowl 60 berth; Darnold throws for 346 yards and three touchdowns despite the oblique issue. [6]

Jan 26, 2026 – Cornerback Riq Woolen’s taunting penalty gives the Rams a first‑down that leads to a touchdown, but the Seahawks hold on to win the NFC Championship. [7]

Jan 26, 2026 – Sam Darnold receives a $500,000 incentive for reaching the Super Bowl, having signed a three‑year, $100.5 million contract in March 2025. [2]

Jan 26, 2026 – The Seahawks enter Super Bowl 60 on Feb 8 as 4.5‑point favorites over the New England Patriots; Darnold is slated to start, becoming the last remaining 2018‑draft quarterback still active. [5][2]

Feb 8, 2026 – Super Bowl 60 is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, featuring the Seattle Seahawks versus the New England Patriots. [4][6]

2013 season (Feb 2, 2014) – Seattle’s lone Super Bowl championship (Super Bowl XLVIII) provides historical context for the team’s quest for a second title. [6]

2014 season – The Seahawks’ previous Super Bowl appearance (Super Bowl 49) ended in a 28‑24 loss to New England, underscoring the rivalry heading into Super Bowl 60. [2]

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