Seahawks head to Tremendous Bowl LX with thrilling win over Rams

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With a visit to Tremendous Bowl LX on the road, the third assembly between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams was yet one more thrilling shootout within the northwest.

However identical to that time beyond regulation recreation final time between these NFC West foes, the Seahawks defended home-field benefit.

The Seahawks are heading to Santa Clara to face the New England Patriots in Tremendous Bowl LX after their 31-27 win over the Rams on Sunday evening.

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Kenneth Walker III celebrates with AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks after Walker III scored a primary quarter landing towards the Los Angeles Rams within the NFC Championship recreation at Lumen Discipline on Jan. 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Photographs)

It was an onslaught of offense on this contest, with 28 third-quarter factors mixed, highlighting what was going to be a suspenseful fourth quarter.

The most important second on this back-and-forth battle got here on the 14th play of the Rams’ first drive within the quarter when head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford determined to go for it on Seattle’s six-yard line on fourth-and-4.

A landing would’ve given the Rams the lead, and Stafford didn’t look like he wished to get off the sphere down 4 factors with 4:54 left within the recreation.

NFL FANS TORCH RAMS RETURNER AFTER MUFFED PUNT LEADS TO CRUCIAL SEAHAWKS TOUCHDOWN

As he dropped again, Stafford surveyed the tip zone and tried to string a cross to Terrence Ferguson, however Devon Witherspoon had blanket protection and turned the ball over on downs.

It was a large cease for a Seattle protection that owned an 11-point lead till a vital error on the a part of Riq Woolen, who was referred to as for a taunting penalty on the earlier Rams drive after a third-and-12 cease. The 15-yard penalty allowed Stafford and firm to stay on the sphere, and he made Woolen pay with a landing cross to Puka Nacua to make it a 31-27 recreation.

However Sam Darnold, who performed tremendously all through this contest, knew the sport was in his arms. Just a few first downs, and bleeding the Rams’ remaining timeouts, would seal a job properly completed and the NFC title.

One huge play got here from Darnold, as he discovered veteran receiver Cooper Kupp on third-and-4, and Kupp stretched out to only decide up the primary right down to preserve the drive alive. The decision appeared like one which McVay might’ve challenged, however since he would’ve misplaced a timeout, he stored the pink flag in his pocket as a substitute of taking the gamble.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks pulls in a one handed catch in entrance of Cobie Durant #14 of the Los Angeles Rams throughout the first quarter within the NFC Championship recreation at Lumen Discipline on Jan. 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Photographs)

Maybe it would’ve led to an overturned first-down name, however hindsight is 20/20 when working again Kenneth Walker III and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba did what was essential to ice this recreation.

Stafford did get a miracle probability with 25 seconds left to play, however with no timeouts, the Rams hung their heads after Nacua was dominated in bounds on a catch, ending the sport in heartbreak.

However not for the Seahawks and their well-known "The 12" fan base, who have been all celebrating their journey again to the Large Sport for the primary time since 2014. And is not it becoming that they face the Patriots – the workforce who beat them in Tremendous Bowl XLIX on Malcolm Butler's goal-line interception of Russell Wilson.

Aside from the failed fourth-down play for the Rams, their different huge blunder got here in particular groups, as returner Xavier Smith muffed a punt that was recovered by Seattle, which became a Jake Bobo landing. That was the double-digit hole the Seahawks have been hoping for, with the rating shifting to 24-13 after that large throw from Darnold.

Talking of, Darnold went 25-of-36 for 346 yards with three landing passes, together with one to Smith-Njigba (10 catches, 153 yards) within the first half and the opposite to Kupp (4 catches, 36 yards) within the third quarter. He performed an ideal recreation, which was wanted contemplating what Stafford was doing on the opposite finish.

Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a primary quarter landing towards the Los Angeles Rams within the NFC Championship recreation at Lumen Discipline on Jan. 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Photographs)

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He was 22-for-35 for 374 yards with three touchdowns as properly, discovering Davante Adams (4 catches, 89 yards) and Kyren Williams.

Nacua led the sport with 165 yards receiving on 9 receptions, however the Seahawks’ efforts can be nothing with out Walker, as soon as once more enjoying with out his counterpart Zach Charbonnet who's out for the season, setting the tone. He had 111 scrimmage yards along with his dashing rating.