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Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s ice-cold NFC Championship gem makes new playoff history
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- Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s ice-cold NFC Championship gem makes new playoff history
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold's ice-cold NFC Championship gem makes new playoff history appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Seattle Seahawks are headed to Super Bowl LX after a 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. The win sets up a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX with the New England Patriots .
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In the biggest game of his career, quarterback Sam Darnold , playing through an oblique injury, rose to the occasion. Signed by Seattle in March after Geno Smith 's departure, Darnold completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and a career-high three touchdowns under pressure with no turnovers, becoming the first QB in the Next Gen Stats era to throw three pressured TDs in a playoff game. The 28-year-old led the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and the NFC's top seed, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod despite leading the NFL in turnovers during the regular season.
Seattle struck first, forcing a Rams three-and-out before driving 81 yards on seven plays to open the scoring. Kenneth Walker III finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run after a 51-yard reception from Rashid Shaheed and a 16-yard completion to Jaxon Smith-Njigba . Los Angeles responded with a pair of field goals by Harrison Mevis before taking a 13-10 lead on a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to Kyren Williams . Darnold reclaimed the lead with a 14-yard touchdown to Smith-Njigba just before halftime, ending a six-play, 74-yard drive.
The Seahawks took charge in the second half. A muffed punt by Rams returner Xavier Smith in the third quarter allowed Seattle to recover and immediately capitalize with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Jake Bobo , stretching the lead to 24-13. Darnold later found former-Rams receiver Cooper Kupp for his third touchdown of the night, pushing Seattle ahead 31-20. The Rams responded with Stafford connecting to Puka Nacua on a 34-yard touchdown pass, but a final defensive stop on fourth-and-4 at the six-yard line hardened the Seahawks' hold on the win.
Defensively, Seattle showcased why it ranked first in scoring defense during the regular season. Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon made a crucial fourth-down pass breakup in the end zone to halt a potential go-ahead score. Riq Woolen 's late-game taunting penalty momentarily gave Los Angeles a chance, but the Seahawks defense held firm when it mattered most.
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Up next, Seattle will face New England in Super Bowl LX on February 8 at 6:30 p.m. ET, vying for their second title in franchise history.
Related: Seahawks' Riq Woolen owns up to boneheaded taunting penalty vs. Rams
Related: Russell Wilson shows support for Seahawks with Sam Darnold appreciation
