In a breathtaking Thursday night spectacle at Lumen Field, the Seattle Seahawks authored one of the most remarkable comebacks of the NFL season, erasing a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Los Angeles Rams 36-30 in a pivotal overtime clash.
A Playoff Berth Sealed in Dramatic Fashion
The victory was about far more than just one win. The result lifts the Seahawks to a 12-3 record, propelling them above their division rivals, the Rams (11-4), to seize the top spot in the NFC West. Crucially, the win also officially secures a playoff berth for Seattle, cementing their status as a leading contender in the National Football Conference.
The Rollercoaster: From Despair to Elation
The game appeared to be slipping away from the home side early in the final quarter. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who delivered a mammoth 457-yard, three-touchdown performance, connected with star receiver Puka Nacua for a score that gave Los Angeles a commanding 30-14 lead.
However, the Seahawks' fightback was ignited by a 42-yard punt return from Rashid Shaheed. Shortly after, quarterback Sam Darnold found tight end AJ Barner for a 26-yard touchdown. The comeback was truly sealed by one of the most bizarre two-point conversion attempts in recent memory.
Darnold's pass for the tying points deflected off a Rams defender's helmet into the end zone. After a video review, officials ruled the pass was legally backward, allowing play to continue. Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet promptly scooped up the live ball for the score, tying the game and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Overtime Heroics Decide Epic Contest
The drama was far from over. In the extra period, Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua combined once more for a 41-yard touchdown pass, putting the Rams back in front. Yet, the Seahawks and Sam Darnold had the final say.
Driving his team downfield, Darnold responded with a clutch touchdown pass to receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Needing a two-point conversion to win outright and avoid a further back-and-forth, Darnold showed impeccable poise, hitting Eric Saubert with a two-yard pass to claim a famous 36-30 victory.
The result sends a seismic shockwave through the NFC playoff picture, establishing the Seahawks as the team to beat heading into the final stretch of the regular season. For the Rams, it was a devastating collapse that hands control of the division to their fiercest rivals.
