Sam Darnold’s Journey to the Super Bowl

Sam Darnold has had a winding journey through the NFL, starting with the New York Jets, where he was selected third overall in 2018. He later joined the Minnesota Vikings, where he led them to a strong 14-3 season but struggled in the playoffs. Now, in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold is on the brink of a Super Bowl appearance.

In an electrifying NFC championship game, Darnold threw for three touchdowns, and the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense made a crucial fourth-down stop, helping Seattle defeat the Los Angeles Rams 31-27. This victory marks the Seahawks’ fourth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history and their first in 11 years. The team will face the New England Patriots in two weeks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Darnold, an eight-year veteran playing for his fifth team, played through an oblique injury and completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards with no turnovers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 153 yards receiving — the second-most in a playoff game in franchise history — and a touchdown on 10 catches. Smith-Njigba praised Darnold, saying, “Can’t say enough about Sam, man. It’s been a great first year. We got one more to go. But for him to overcome what he had to overcome, I’m riding with Sam all day.”

The Seahawks needed Darnold to keep pace with Matthew Stafford, who drove the Rams into position to take the lead with 4:59 remaining. On fourth-and-4 at the Seattle 6, coach Sean McVay elected to go for it, but Stafford’s pass was broken up in the end zone by Devon Witherspoon. “He’s just the heart of our defense,” said safety Julian Love. “He just is the essence. ’Spoon is it. He plays with just such a raw energy. And we love him for it.”

Stafford threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns, but the Rams were undone by critical errors, including a muffed punt by Xavier Smith in the third quarter. On the next play, Darnold connected with Jake Bobo for a 17-yard touchdown and a 24-13 lead.

The Seahawks led 31-20 late in the third quarter on Darnold’s 13-yard TD pass to Cooper Kupp, but the Rams got back into the game when Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen was flagged for taunting after breaking up a pass to Nacua on third-and-12, giving Los Angeles a first down. On the next play, Stafford threw at Woolen again, and Nacua beat him in the corner of the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown.

“Even though I made a great play, I wasn’t great for my team,” Woolen said. “And I’ve got to be better with that and celebrate with the team.”

Key Moments and Highlights

• Darnold’s Performance: Darnold set the tone with his first completion of the game, a 51-yarder to Rashid Shaheed. Four plays later, Walker ran 2 yards for a TD to make it 7-0.
• Rams’ Struggles: The Rams forced a punt on Seattle’s next possession and went on a 14-play, 84-yard drive that came up empty thanks to Witherspoon’s pass breakup.
• Seahawks’ Aggressiveness: Seattle stayed aggressive on its final possession, with Darnold throwing for three first downs to run out most of the clock.

Quotes from Players and Coaches

• Mike Macdonald (Coach): “You can’t talk about the game without talking about our quarterback. He shut a lot of people up tonight, so I’m happy for him.”
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba: “I told my team, I’m going to do whatever it takes. Whatever y’all ask of me, I’m gonna get it done, whatever that might be. And that’s what you saw today. You just saw grit, determination, you saw passion out there and you saw a group, a collective, going out there and getting the job done.”
• Sean McVay (Coach): “I know that if he wants to, he’s still playing at a pretty damn good clip. I mean, he’s the MVP of the league, and if he’s not, respect for everybody else. But this guy played a level that’s just different.”

Injuries and Upcoming Games

Rams: WR Jordan Whittington (chest) left in the third quarter. Defensive end Kobie Turner (cramps) also exited in the third.

Seahawks: LB Drake Thomas (shoulder) left in the fourth quarter. FB Brady Russell (hand) was injured in the second half and did not return.

Up Next:
– Rams: Stafford turns 38 next month and has to wonder if this was his last, best chance at a second Super Bowl title.
– Seahawks: Seek their second Super Bowl title after winning it all in the 2013 season with coach Pete Carroll and the “Legion of Boom” defense.