The Seattle Seahawks have made it to the Super Bowl once again. Their 31-27 victory in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams has brought them back into the conversation for the sport’s most prestigious title, marking their first appearance in 11 years. The game was a nail-biter until the final moments, but the Seahawks managed to overcome their toughest rival of the season.

Here are the standout performers and those who struggled in the Seahawks’ impressive win:

Stud: DB Nick Emmanwori

While we often start with the offense, this time the defense deserves the spotlight. The best player on the field was rookie defensive back Nick Emmanwori, who played a pivotal role in shutting down the Rams’ passing attack. Emmanwori made an incredible impact in coverage, blanketing everything that came his way. He finished with five tackles and a team-high three pass breakups, proving to be a key asset for the Seahawks.

Dud: Seahawks Cornerbacks

One of the biggest surprises of the game was how much man-to-man coverage the Seahawks relied on. While the rest of Mike Macdonald’s defense held up reasonably well, the cornerbacks had a tough time. The usual trio of Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, and Riq Woolen struggled against Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, who consistently found open space. Woolen’s taunting penalty followed by a touchdown allowed was particularly damaging. However, Witherspoon did come through with two crucial stops in the red zone.

Stud: LB Ernest Jones IV

Another defensive standout was middle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who faced the daunting task of defending against Sean McVay’s offense. Jones delivered a huge performance against his former team, recording a team-best eight total tackles. His efforts were vital in keeping the Rams’ offense in check.

Dud: Seahawks Run Defense

For the first time since acquiring Jones, the Seahawks struggled against the run. The Rams’ running game, led by Blake Corum and Kyren Williams, proved effective against what is typically an elite unit. Together, they gained 94 rushing yards on 19 carries, with the Rams averaging 5.2 yards per attempt as a team.

Stud: QB Sam Darnold

The most encouraging development from this game is that Sam Darnold is entering the Super Bowl in top form. For the third consecutive week, he avoided any interceptions and showcased his arm strength. Darnold completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards, three touchdowns, and a passer rating of 127.8 in what was arguably his best game of the season.

Stud: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Darnold’s main target throughout the season has been Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and he delivered once again. JSN saw 12 targets from Darnold and caught 10 of them, amassing 153 yards and a touchdown. His consistent performance was a key factor in the Seahawks’ success.

Stud: WR Rashid Shaheed

In an unexpected twist, Rashid Shaheed had a standout offensive performance this week instead of his usual special teams contributions. His first reception of the game went for 51 yards down the right boundary, setting the tone for a strong offensive showing.

Additional Seahawks Coverage

• Seahawks putting on full-court press to keep key assistant
• Mike Macdonald shares secret sauce to outstanding season
• Kay Adams asks an audacious question about the Seahawks
• How Sam Darnold’s game has grown since joining Seahawks