On Dec. 19, 2025, at Lumen Field, Sam Darnold overcame two second-half interceptions to lead the Seattle Seahawks to a 38-37 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams, clinching a playoff berth and putting Seattle atop the NFC West with two games remaining. The comeback included a 58-yard punt-return touchdown by Rashid Shaheed, two late touchdowns from Darnold, and a decisive overtime 2-point conversion to tight end Eric Saubert. The win followed a day in which Seattle’s defense yielded 581 total yards and several injuries in the secondary, but the offense executed in the game’s decisive moments to secure the result. The victory leaves the Seahawks with a one-game division lead and in control of the conference’s top seed picture for now.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Seahawks 38, Rams 37 in overtime; Seattle converted all three 2-point attempts, including the game-winner to Eric Saubert.
- Sam Darnold finished 22-of-34 for 270 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and completed 4-of-5 passes for 47 yards on the game-winning drive.
- Rashid Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown to spark the fourth-quarter rally that forced overtime.
- Kenneth Walker III rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown; the Seahawks totaled 171 rushing yards as a unit.
- Seattle’s defense surrendered 581 yards and multiple explosive completions but forced the three critical three-and-outs late that helped extend the game.
- Three defensive backs — Nick Emmanwori, Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen — left in the fourth quarter; Emmanwori cleared concussion protocol and Bryant’s knee is “not automatically season-ending,” per coach Mike Macdonald.
- Before this comeback, Seattle was 0-155-0 historically when trailing by 16-plus points in the fourth quarter, according to ESPN Research.
Background
Both clubs entered Thursday as 11-3 teams battling for first place in the NFC West, and the game carried major implications for playoff seeding. Los Angeles had given Seattle fits earlier in the season and in recent playoffs, including a November 21-19 victory at SoFi Stadium in which the Rams intercepted Darnold four times, and a 2024 wild-card matchup that ended with heavy pressure on him. Those past outcomes framed Thursday night as a possible statement game for the Rams to maintain divisional control.
The Seahawks came in with one of the NFL’s stingier scoring defenses through Week 15, allowing the second-fewest points in the league, but they had also shown some late-season vulnerability in pass coverage. Offensively, Seattle leaned on a balanced attack when it worked: Kenneth Walker III had been a key ground threat while Jaxon Smith-Njigba paced the league in receiving yards. The matchup thus matched Seattle’s resilient offense and stingy reputation on paper against the Rams’ physical pass rush and opportunistic secondary.
Main Event
The Rams built a 30-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter after two Sam Darnold interceptions in the second half, one of which set up a Rams touchdown. With the Rams appearing poised for a season sweep that would likely decide the division, Seattle answered in dramatic fashion. Shaheed’s 58-yard punt return touchdown cut the deficit and energized Lumen Field, shifting momentum back to the home side.
Seattle then manufactured a late touchdown drive capped by a 26-yard Darnold strike to tight end AJ Barner that forced overtime. In the extra period, Matthew Stafford led Los Angeles on a touchdown possession, but Darnold responded with a touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the Seahawks elected to go for two. The final play saw Darnold find Eric Saubert in the back of the end zone for the 2-point conversion that produced the 38-37 final.
There were heads-up moments that altered the scoring sequence. On the second 2-point attempt earlier in the game, a deflected pass was ruled backward on review and awarded to Zach Charbonnet as a fumble recovery, converting the try. Charbonnet also had a scoring run in the first quarter set up by a 46-yard screen from Walker, while Walker broke a 55-yard touchdown in the third quarter that helped ignite Seattle’s ground game.
Defensively, Seattle’s unit was compromised late when Emmanwori, Bryant and Woolen exited the game; Emmanwori later cleared concussion protocol and Bryant’s knee was described by Macdonald as not automatically season-ending. Despite giving up 581 yards and several long completions, the defense forced three late three-and-outs that kept Seattle within striking range and allowed the offense to execute its comeback.
Analysis & Implications
Strategically, the decision to attempt the final 2-point conversion in overtime — rather than play for a tying PAT and extended play — reflects both confidence in Seattle’s short-field offense and urgency tied to playoff positioning. With two games left, the Seahawks prioritized taking control of the NFC West and the No. 1 seed, a choice that paid immediate dividends. The gamble succeeded because the offense converted in high-leverage moments and because Darnold showed poise on the decisive drive.
For Darnold, the performance reinforced his reputation as a resilient leader despite the two costly interceptions. Statistically the line looks mixed — 270 yards with a pair of turnovers — but his late accuracy (4-of-5 for 47 yards on the winning drive) and situational decision-making earned praise from teammates and coaches. The outing deepens the narrative of Darnold as a competitor who can recover from mistakes and close critical games.
Defensively, the 581 yards allowed is a red flag for Seattle as it pursues higher playoff seeding. Even with injuries to key defensive backs and mid-game communication errors cited by players, giving up that volume of offense against a division rival is likely to prompt schematic adjustments and personnel checks. Opponents remaining on the schedule and potential postseason matchups will study this performance, particularly the susceptibility to deep completions and blown coverages in the middle-to-back portions of the field.
Looking ahead, Seattle’s improved running output (171 team rushing yards) offers a more balanced attack to carry into the final two weeks; sustaining that balance will be crucial if the secondary remains banged up. Conversely, the Rams will evaluate their ability to close out large leads and protect the ball in late-game scenarios, as Thursday night’s collapse converts into a missed chance to control the division race.
Comparison & Data
| Category | Seahawks (Thu) |
|---|---|
| Final Score | 38-37 (OT) |
| Sam Darnold | 22/34, 270 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Top Receiver | Jaxon Smith-Njigba 8 REC, 96 yds, 1 TD |
| Rushing (team) | 171 yards (Kenneth Walker III 100, 1 TD) |
| Opponent Yards Allowed | 581 total yards surrendered |
The table highlights the core boxscore takeaways: a productive rushing day for Seattle, mixed quarterback numbers for Darnold, and a defensive performance that allowed an unusually high yardage total for a unit that entered Week 16 as one of the league’s stingiest. Those contrasts — offensive balance versus defensive leakage — frame Seattle’s immediate priorities ahead of the regular season’s final two games.
Reactions & Quotes
Teammates and coaches framed the comeback as a demonstration of leadership and resilience after adversity. Jaxon Smith-Njigba emphasized the team’s refusal to yield after the second-half turnovers and praised Darnold’s consistency in the huddle.
“Just shows a true competitor,”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Saubert described the game-winning connection and Darnold’s awareness of his progressions on the decisive play, underscoring trust between quarterback and tight end.
“Sam is amazing. He knows his progression all the way through,”
Eric Saubert
Coach Mike Macdonald defended the choice to go for two in overtime and credited both play-calling and player execution for the outcome, while linebacker Ernest Jones IV recounted that some Rams players were taunting Seattle when ahead by 16 late — a detail that teammates said only strengthened their resolve.
“I just felt great about our play, and I trusted our guys,”
Mike Macdonald
Unconfirmed
- The long-term severity and recovery timeline for Riq Woolen’s knee injury were not provided at game time and remain unconfirmed.
- Reports that specific Rams players were laughing while holding a 16-point lead come from an unnamed Seahawks source and have not been independently corroborated.
Bottom Line
Seattle’s comeback win over the Rams is a high-leverage victory that reshapes the NFC West and bolsters the Seahawks’ run toward the top playoff seed. While the offense showed an ability to rally and convert under pressure, the defense’s 581 yards allowed expose vulnerabilities that opponents will seek to exploit in the final weeks and potentially in the postseason.
The game also reinforced the narrative of Sam Darnold as a resilient leader who can overcome turnovers to close games — a trait that could be decisive for Seattle’s postseason hopes. With two games left in the regular season, Seattle must shore up communication in the secondary and manage health concerns, but it now enters the final stretch with control of its divisional fate.
Sources
- ESPN game story – media report providing play-by-play, quotes and postgame notes.