In the aftermath of one of the most dramatic NFC Championship Games in recent memory, the Seattle Seahawks emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Rams with a thrilling 31-27 final score on January 25, 2026, punching their ticket to Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots. The contest, played under the bright lights of Lumen Field, showcased everything that makes NFL playoff football unforgettable: explosive plays, defensive stands, controversial calls, and a quarterback performance that silenced doubters.

At the center of it all stood Sam Darnold, the much-maligned signal-caller who has undergone a remarkable career revival since joining the Seahawks.The game began with high stakes from the opening kickoff. Both teams entered the matchup riding momentum from strong regular seasons—the Seahawks at 14-3 overall, including a dominant divisional-round win over the San Francisco 49ers, and the Rams at 12-5, having navigated a tough path through the playoffs with victories over the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears.

The NFC West rivalry added extra intensity, as the clubs had split their regular-season series in dramatic fashion: a narrow 21-19 Rams win in November followed by a Seahawks overtime triumph 38-37 in December.

This third meeting felt like the rubber match, and it delivered in spades.

Seattle struck first, capitalizing on early field position after a solid return. Darnold, calm and collected in the pocket, orchestrated a methodical drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who shook off coverage for a 12-yard score. The connection between Darnold and Smith-Njigba proved pivotal throughout the evening, as the young receiver finished with 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown, continuing his breakout campaign that saw him lead the league in receiving yards during the regular season.

The Seahawks’ opening drive set the tone: efficient, mistake-free football that leaned on Darnold’s improved decision-making and the offensive line’s protection.

Los Angeles responded quickly, with Matthew Stafford—widely regarded as a frontrunner for league MVP—unleashing his arm talent. Stafford connected on several big plays to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, marching the Rams downfield for a field goal to trim the deficit. The first quarter ended with Seattle leading 10-3 after a Jason Myers field goal, but the scoring pace accelerated in the second. The Rams tied things up briefly before Darnold engineered a quick-strike drive in the final minutes of the half.

With only 54 seconds left, he hit Cooper Kupp—facing his former team—for a key conversion, then found tight end AJ Barner in the end zone just before the clock expired. The Seahawks took a 17-13 lead into halftime, buoyed by a raucous home crowd that sensed something special brewing.

The third quarter belonged to Seattle’s offense in explosive fashion. A muffed punt by the Rams gifted the Seahawks prime field position, and Darnold wasted no time capitalizing. He lofted a perfect ball to Jake Bobo for a touchdown, extending the lead. Later in the quarter, another precise strike to Kupp pushed the advantage to 31-20. Darnold’s three touchdown passes in the game—all coming under pressure, according to Next Gen Stats—highlighted his growth. He finished 25-of-36 for 346 yards, three scores, and zero interceptions, posting a passer rating of 127.8.

His ability to deliver while being hurried stood in stark contrast to earlier criticisms of his pocket presence.Yet the Rams refused to fold. Stafford, completing 22-of-35 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns of his own, orchestrated a furious comeback attempt. A taunting penalty on Seattle breathed new life into Los Angeles, allowing them to trim the margin with a late touchdown to Puka Nacua. With under five minutes remaining, the Rams had the ball and a chance to steal the lead. The Seahawks’ defense, dubbed the “Dark Side” for its ferocious play all season, rose to the occasion.

On a critical fourth-down stop deep in their territory, the unit forced an incompletion, preserving the four-point cushion.

Seattle ran out the clock, erupting in celebration as confetti fell and the Super Bowl berth became reality.

Postgame reactions poured in from all corners. Head coach Mike Macdonald praised Darnold effusively: “He just shut a lot of people up tonight.” The quarterback’s journey—from being labeled a bust early in his career with the Jets, to a resurgence in Minnesota in 2024 where he won 14 games, to this triumphant first season in Seattle—has captivated the league. Darnold’s regular-season stats (4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, 14 interceptions) were solid, but his playoff poise elevated him to elite status.

In the NFC Championship, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to win 30 or more games across two seasons with different teams, underscoring the gamble the Seahawks took paying off spectacularly.

For the Rams, the loss stung deeply. Sean McVay faced scrutiny for late-game decisions, including timeouts and a questionable fourth-down call earlier in the fourth quarter. Stafford’s stellar performance—near-flawless, with no turnovers—earned universal praise, yet it wasn’t enough against Seattle’s balanced attack. Players like Nacua and Adams shone, but the defense couldn’t contain Darnold’s rhythm throws or the Seahawks’ explosive plays.

The victory marks Seattle’s return to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2014 season, when they last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Facing the Patriots, who advanced past the Denver Broncos in a low-scoring 10-7 AFC Championship thriller, the Seahawks enter as underdogs to some but with unbreakable confidence. Tom Brady’s shadow looms large over New England, but Darnold’s resurgence offers a fresh narrative: a quarterback once written off now leading a contender.

This game will be remembered not just for the scoreline but for the drama and redemption it delivered. From the opening drive to the final kneel-down, it encapsulated the unpredictability and passion of playoff football. As Seattle prepares for the biggest stage, one thing is clear: Sam Darnold has arrived, and the Seahawks are ready to chase history once more. The road to Super Bowl LX promises more fireworks, but for one electric Sunday night in January, the 12s had their moment, and the Seahawks proved they belong among the league’s elite.