Seahawks overcome 16-point deficit
to stun Rams 38-37 in OT in NFC West showdown
[December 19, 2025]
By ANDREW DESTIN
SEATTLE (AP) — Mike Macdonald was in no mood to play for a tie, and
the Los Angeles Rams’ defense had no interest in letting Sam Darnold
connect with any of his top receiving options.
After Darnold hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown in overtime,
Macdonald entrusted his quarterback to win it for Seattle.
Darnold did just that, hitting a wide-open Eric Saubert for the
2-point conversion, and the Seahawks overcame a 16-point
fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Rams 38-37 on Thursday night for
a one-game lead in the NFC West.
“It was something we talked about throughout the season and
particularly for this game because of the playoff situation,”
Macdonald said. “You know, you play for the tie and lock up a
playoff seat, but I just felt great about our play and I trusted our
guys.”
The Seahawks became the first NFL team to win on an overtime 2-point
conversion. They attempted two other 2-point conversions and
converted both, none more improbable than the one that tied it at 30
in the fourth quarter.
Darnold’s deflected pass intended for Zach Charbonnet was initially
ruled incomplete, but after a replay review was determined to be a
backward pass. Charbonnet, who had casually picked up the loose ball
in the end zone, was credited with the points.
“I’m glad Charbs picked it up,” Darnold said, “and that obviously
was a game-changing play.”
So, too, was Rashid Shaheed returning a punt 58 yards for a
touchdown with 8:03 remaining in the fourth, which was followed by
Darnold connecting with Cooper Kupp for the 2-point conversion.
“It just takes one play,” Kupp said. “... It’s that one punt, Rashid
takes it to the house and we’re in a situation where you can convert
a 2-point conversion, and suddenly it’s a one-score game. And those
little momentum shifts, the energy in the stadium has changed.”
After a three-and-out by the Rams, Darnold found tight end AJ Barner
for a 26-yard TD, and Charbonnet tied it on the quirky 2-point play.
The Rams got the ball first in overtime and Matthew Stafford
connected with Puka Nacua, who cruised untouched into the end zone
for a 41-yard touchdown to make it 37-30. Nacua finished with 12
catches for 225 yards and two TDs, and Stafford had 457 yards
passing — the third-most of his career — and three scores as the
Rams' offense totaled 581 yards without a turnover.
Nonetheless, the Seahawks came up with some big stops in the fourth
quarter. The Rams had four punts and a missed field goal on their
final five possessions of regulation.
“We’re a very resilient, relentless group,” Darnold said.
Seattle (12-3) clinched a playoff spot and moved into position for
the top seed in the NFC, while LA (11-4) faces a road playoff opener
if it can’t overtake the Seahawks.
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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) scores a
touchdown during overtime in an NFL football game against the Los
Angeles Rams, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey
Wasson)
Darnold, who threw four interceptions against the
Rams in a 21-19 loss on Nov. 16, had two in this one, including by
297-pound defensive end Kobie Turner. But he made clutch throws in
the fourth quarter and OT, finishing with 270 yards passing and two
TDs.
“He’s resilient,” Kupp said. “His steadiness. His leadership. I
mean, all these things that you want in a quarterback."
Double trouble
Smith-Njigba and Nacua entered the evening as the NFL’s leading and
second-leading receivers in total yardage. By the end of the night,
Nacua had the NFL’s receptions lead with 114.
“Puka is a great player,” Macdonald said of Nacua. “He made some
great contested catches that you got to kind of chalk up to him
being a great player.”
Smith-Njigba, meanwhile, increased his total yards receiving to
1,637 in 15 games. He also set the Seahawks’ single-season franchise
record with his 101st catch of the season. Smith-Njigba pushed the
total to 104.
Devoid of Davante
The Rams played without Davante Adams, who was ruled out with a
hamstring injury. Adams aggravated his hamstring injury while
running a long route in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 41-34 win
over Detroit on Sunday.
Without the NFL’s leader in touchdown receptions, the Rams settled
for field goals in the red zones three times.
Injuries
Rams: Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson injured his ankle in the first
quarter and did not return.
Seahawks: Three players in the secondary left in the fourth quarter:
Safety Coby Bryant (knee), safety Nick Emmanwori (evaluated for a
concussion) and cornerback Riq Woolen (knee).
Up next
Rams: At Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 29.
Seahawks: At Carolina on Sunday, Dec. 28.
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