In an exhilarating showdown on Thursday night, the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a remarkable 38-37 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in overtime. This game could easily be labeled the game of the year, showcasing two of the top teams in the NFC. Despite a dazzling performance from MVP candidate Matthew Stafford, who threw for 457 yards and three touchdowns without being sacked, the Rams suffered a heartbreaking loss.
This defeat marked an unprecedented moment in NFL history. According to NFL researcher Dante Koplowitz-Fleming, it was the first time since 1975 that a team accumulating over 400 offensive yards, with no turnovers or sacks, and three turnovers forced, ended up on the losing side. Before this game, teams with such impressive statistics held a perfect 79-0 record.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Seahawks found themselves facing a mere 2.7% chance of winning, as indicated by NFL NextGen Stats. With nine minutes remaining and the score at 30-14 in favor of the Rams, the Seahawks rallied, scoring two touchdowns despite Sam Darnold throwing two interceptions and Cooper Kupp fumbling the ball. Remarkably, this was the first time in 172 games that the Seahawks came back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win.
In a historic twist, the Seahawks became the first team to win an overtime game by converting a two-point attempt. After tying the game in regulation, the Rams scored a touchdown on their first possession in overtime. However, the Seahawks responded decisively. Darnold led his team downfield, connecting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown, and then Seattle opted for the two-point conversion, which was successful. This marked a first in NFL history, as no team had previously won an overtime game this way, as noted by ESPN research.
The final moments were tense, featuring strategic timeouts from both teams” coaches. Rams” head coach Sean McVay called a timeout just before the Seahawks” conversion attempt, while Seahawks” coach Mike Macdonald countered by calling a timeout to reassess the Rams” defensive setup. Ultimately, Darnold found tight end Eric Saubert, sealing the victory with the crucial conversion.
Despite a rocky start to the game, Darnold”s performance in overtime was commendable. On the decisive nine-play, 65-yard drive, he delivered crucial passes, including a 21-yard throw to Kupp. Remarkably, four of his five lowest completion probability throws of the night occurred during that overtime drive, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
With this victory, the Seahawks improved their record to 12-3 and secured a spot in the postseason, raising questions about a potential rematch in the NFC championship.
