The Seattle Seahawks mounted a stunning comeback from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 in overtime on Thursday night, securing a playoff spot and taking a one-game lead in the NFC West.
Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in overtime and then connected with Eric Saubert for the winning two-point conversion. The Seahawks converted all three of their two-point attempts, including a bizarre play that tied the game at 30-30 in the fourth quarter. Darnold's pass intended for Zach Charbonnet was initially ruled incomplete but was reversed after review, as the ball was deemed a backward pass. Charbonnet had picked up the loose ball in the end zone for the two points.
Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed confusion over the reversal, saying he had never seen anything like it. The Rams had taken a 37-30 lead in overtime on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua, who finished with 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Stafford passed for 457 yards and three scores, and the Rams amassed 581 total yards without a turnover.
However, the Seahawks' defence stiffened in the fourth quarter, forcing four punts and a missed field goal on the Rams' final five regulation possessions. Seattle trailed 30-14 before Rashid Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown, and Darnold found Cooper Kupp for the two-point conversion. After a Rams three-and-out, Darnold hit tight end AJ Barner for a 26-yard touchdown, setting up the game-tying two-point play.
Darnold, who threw four interceptions against the Rams earlier this season, was picked off twice but made clutch throws late. He finished with 270 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks (12-3) now hold the top seed in the NFC, while the Rams (11-4) face a potential road playoff opener.
