The craziest scene in the game
First, a defense that had previously had major problems stopping Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Puka Nacua managed to force a three-and-out after Darnold’s interception in the fourth quarter. Rashid Shaheed then returned the punt 58 yards for a touchdown. Darnold found Cooper Kupp for the 2-point conversion, shrinking the deficit to eight points and giving the Seahawks new life – but there was still a lot of work ahead of them.
The defense scored another three-and-out, and the offense answered with the next touchdown, a 26-yard pass from Darnold to tight end AJ Barner. The Seahawks went for two points again and initially appeared to come up empty when Darnold’s pass was deflected and fell incomplete on the ground. However, after review by the referees, it was ruled that the pass went backwards and was therefore a fumble. With running back Zach Charbonnet picking up the loose ball in the end zone, the Seahawks got the two points and tied the game.
Extra time: All or nothing for Seattle
No team could score any more in regular time. In overtime, the Rams got the ball first and engineered another scoring drive in which Stafford found Nacua for a 41-yard touchdown – 37:30. It was all or nothing for the Seahawks, and Darnold and the offense delivered once again. They marched 65 yards over nine plays, capped off by a four-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Instead of kicking the extra point and opening up the possibility of a tie with 3:13 left in overtime, the Seahawks again opted for the 2-point conversion. Darnold found tight end Eric Saubert for the game-winning score, sparking a storm of celebration on the field and in the stands.
“It’s these guys in there,” said Macdonald about his team’s comeback, looking into the dressing room. “They’ve decided they want to play a certain way and be the team we’re talking about – and they back that up every day. No matter what the circumstances. That’s who we are. That’s what we do. Then when it’s time to put all their eggs in one basket, they’re ready.”
It would have been a natural reaction if the Seahawks had hung their head and never recovered after three turnovers – two interceptions by Darnold and a fumble by Cooper Kupp. It would also have been understandable if the defense, which was on the field for much of the game and ultimately ended the game without three regular players – Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen and Nick Emmanwori – lacked the energy to finish strongly.
His record-breaking night is the crowning achievement of a team
With his catches on Sunday, Jaxon Smith-Njigba wrote another little piece of history in a season full of milestones. But what was more important to the receiver than the record he broke with these catches was their significance – especially the last one – as the Seahawks completed their fabulous comeback.
JSN, like the rest of the offense, had a quiet first half and went into the break without a catch. But as almost always, he didn’t allow himself to be taken out of the game for an entire game. He finished with eight catches for 96 yards, extending his league-leading total to 1,637 receiving yards. With those eight catches, he now has 104 for the season, breaking the franchise record for catches in a season, which he previously shared with Tyler Lockett (100).
But more important than that record – or the accolades he has already received and will continue to receive this season – is the fact that thanks to his overtime touchdown that set up the game-winning 2-point conversion, the Seahawks are now 12-3 and have secured a playoff berth for the first time in his three-year career.
