The Seattle Seahawks will have the chance to take revenge on the New England Patriots.
Seattle emerged the big winner from an incredible offensive festival Sunday night, in a 31-27 victory against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Seahawks thus won their place in the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2014 season. That year, the Seahawks fell in the ultimate game against the Patriots, who will be their opponents in two weeks. The Pats defeated the Denver Broncos earlier in the day to clinch their ticket to the ultimate game.
Against their division rivals on Sunday, the Seahawks did nothing new. They simply replicated what worked all season with the chemistry of Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The quarterback completed 25 passes for 346 yards, while he made Smith-Njigba his favorite target. JSN caught 10 balls for 153 yards, in addition to scoring a touchdown.
“It’s amazing,” Darnold said. Being able to do it with these guys, in this locker room, with this coaching staff, that’s what means the most to me. »
Cooper Kupp, Kenneth Walker and Jake Bobo also reached the end zone for the Seahawks, who will seek a first Super Bowl title since the 2013 season.
“I’m incredibly proud of the guys,” said Mike Macdonald. I’m happy for this city. »
“(Sam) silenced a lot of people tonight,” he added.
Considered one of the best in the NFL, the Seahawks defense did not have a great game against the Rams.
Matthew Stafford threw for 374 yards, including nine completions for 165 yards to Puka Nacua.
Nacua and Davante Adams (4 receptions, 89 yards) reached the end zone, as did Kyren Williams.
The Rams were aiming for their first appearance in the Super Bowl since the 2021 season, when they were crowned champions.
“I love this team, I wasn’t ready to stop working with them. I thought we would have two more weeks. I’m grateful to each of these guys. This is a truly special group. It was a special year and it’s hard to realize it’s over,” said coach Sean McVay.
An incredible offensive spectacle
The Seahawks defense issued a warning to Stafford and the Rams on the first possession of the game by forcing them to punt the ball.
Darnold quickly thanked his teammates with an explosive 51-yard play to Rashid Shaheed to bring Seattle close to the pay zone. Walker then escaped to his right to avoid pressure and open the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run thanks to a brilliant diving pass.
Stafford, however, quickly recalled the reasons which made him a candidate for the title of ‘MVP’ this season. He responded to Darnold with a 44-yard pass to Nacua, who made fun of Devon Witherspoon’s coverage with his slick footwork and quickness. Los Angeles, however, had to settle for a field goal to reduce the gap to 7-3.
Trailing 10-6 a little later in the game, the Rams took advantage of the excellence of their ball carriers to take control. A series of good runs from Blake Corum – including a 19-yard gain – initially put the Rams in position to score points.
Williams then escaped coverage to his left and made it 13-10 on a nine-yard pass from Stafford.
Seattle, however, made sure not to return to the locker room with a backlog to make up thanks to the work of Smith-Njigba. After receptions of 42 and 10 yards, Smith-Njigba was completely forgotten in the left end of the end zone and he caught a 14-yard pass from Darnold to put the Seahawks back in command by four points.
The Rams thought they would start the third quarter strong when they forced the Seahawks to punt after five plays. Xavier Smith, however, fumbled and fumbled the ball on the punt, allowing the Seahawks to regain possession at the 17 line.
Darnold only needed one play to reward the effort of the Seahawks special teams. He found Bobo in the end zone and the Seahawks increased their lead to 11 points.
The offensive festival continued with passes of 40 and 29 yards from Stafford to Colby Parkinson as well as Adams, to quickly threaten the Seahawks. It was Adams who capped a quick streak with a first touchdown in five games.
The Seahawks’ aerial game then continued to give the Rams a hard time. After a sequence that allowed him to gain 40 yards by passing, Kupp hurt his former team with a 13-yard touchdown, to make the score 31-20.
Late in the third quarter, Riq Woolen did an exemplary job holding off Nacua on third down, but was then penalized for taunting the Rams by celebrating, allowing the Rams to continue the streak.
Nacua made him pay the price on the next play, catching a 34-yard pass for a touchdown that made it 31-27.
The Rams had a chance to take control of the game in the fourth quarter, but they were stopped three straight times while within six yards of the end zone.
The Seahawks then ran out of time and left nothing but dust for Los Angeles, who was unable to move up the field thereafter.
