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Seahawks swoop to stun Rams and claim NFC West top spot
Andrew Destin • December 19th, 2025 7:00 pm
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba scored a touchdown in overtime against the Rams | Photo: AP
The Seattle Seahawks have rallied from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 and take a one-game lead in the NFC West.
Sam Darnold connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown in overtime on Thursday night (Friday NZ time), then hit a wide-open Eric Saubert for the winning two-point conversion.
The Seahawks went 3-for-3 on two-point conversions, none more improbable than the one that tied the game at 30-30 in the fourth quarter.
Darnold's deflected pass intended for Zach Charbonnet was initially ruled incomplete, but after a replay review was determined to be a backward pass. Charbonnet, who had casually picked up the loose ball in the end zone, was credited with the two points.
The Rams got the ball first in overtime and Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua, who cruised untouched into the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown to make it 37-30.
Nacua finished with 12 catches for 225 yards and two TDs, and Stafford had 457 yards passing - the third-most of his career - and three scores as the Rams' offence totalled 581 yards without a turnover.
Nonetheless, the Seahawks came up with some big stops in the fourth quarter that were crucial to Seattle's rally. The Rams had four punts and a missed field goal on their final five possessions of regulation.
Seattle (12-3) clinched a playoff spot and moved into position for the top seed in the NFC, while LA (11-4) face a road play-off opener if they can't overtake the Seahawks in the final two weeks of the season.
The Seahawks trailed 30-14 when Rashid Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown and Darnold connected with Cooper Kupp for the two-point conversion.
After a three-and-out by the Rams, Darnold found tight end AJ Barner for a 26-yard TD, and Charbonnet tied it on the quirky two-point play.
Darnold, who threw four interceptions against the Rams in a 21-19 loss on November 16, was picked off twice in this one, including by 297-pound defensive end Kobie Turner. But he made clutch throws in the fourth quarter and OT, finishing with 270 yards passing and two TDs.
After a slow start, Smith-Njigba had eight catches for 96 yards and the score.
- AP
