The Seattle Seahawks claimed a pivotal victory in the NFC West with a thrilling 38-37 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams on December 18. This matchup, which showcased dramatic moments and standout performances, will be remembered as a game of the year contender.
After a lackluster first half that saw the Rams lead 13-7, Kenneth Walker electrified the crowd with a 55-yard touchdown run on Seattle”s opening drive of the second half, flipping the score to 14-13 in favor of the Seahawks.
One of the key highlights for the Rams came when Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua for a 58-yard gain as the third quarter came to a close, positioning Los Angeles for another touchdown. Stafford, who ended the game with 457 passing yards, exhibited his skills with a no-look pass for a one-yard touchdown to Nacua, extending the Rams” lead to 30-14.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Rams cornerback Josh Wallace intercepted Sam Darnold with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter. Wallace”s return set up the Rams deep in Seahawks territory. A second interception by Darnold later compounded the Rams” defensive efforts, as he threw directly into the hands of defensive lineman Kobie Turner.
The Seahawks” comeback was ignited by Rashid Shaheed, who returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown, marking his second special teams score since joining Seattle. This sparked a series of thrilling plays, including a controversial two-point conversion attempt where Zach Charbonnet recovered a fumble in the end zone, tying the game at 30.
Despite Harrison Mevis missing a crucial 48-yard field goal for the Rams just before the two-minute warning, the game remained tightly contested. In overtime, Nacua continued to shine, catching a 41-yard touchdown pass to put the Rams back in contention, as he finished with 225 yards and two touchdowns.
However, Darnold had his moment of redemption, completing a pivotal 21-yard pass to former Ram Cooper Kupp, setting up the Seahawks” game-winning score. Seattle”s offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, dialed up a successful two-point conversion play, allowing Darnold to find tight end Eric Saubert wide open for the conversion, sealing the victory and solidifying Seattle”s position atop the NFC West.
This overtime thriller highlighted the intense rivalry between the two teams and showcased the resilience of both squads as they battled for supremacy in one of the league”s most competitive divisions.
