Seahawks Clinch Playoff Spot With Overtime Victory Over Rams
Seattle overcome a late deficit to beat the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 in overtime, sealing a berth in the NFL playoffs with a dramatic finish.
In a dramatic Week 16 clash, the Seattle Seahawks rallied to beat the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 in overtime, sealing a place in the NFL playoffs. The win extended Seattle's streak to five straight victories and solidified their position at the top of the NFC West.
The Rams had already clinched a postseason berth earlier in the day, while Seattle earned a return to the playoffs after a two-year absence. Seattle moved to 12-3, with the Rams at 11-4, keeping the battle for seeding tight in the conference.
Key moments and players
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold overcame two early interceptions to throw two touchdown passes, including the overtime winner to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, followed by the crucial two-point conversion to force the extra period.
Kenneth Walker III sparked Seattle's comeback with a 55-yard touchdown run after the team trailed 13-7 at halftime.
Los Angeles struck back when Rams cornerback Josh Wallace returned Darnold's first interception 56 yards for a touchdown, and Blake Corum followed with a one-yard score to push the lead.
Stafford connected with Puka Nacua for a fourth-quarter TD to make it 30-14. Rashid Shaheed answered with a 58-yard punt return TD to give Seattle new life.
Darnold then linked with AJ Barner for a touchdown, and Seattle converted the two-point try to tie the game and send it to overtime.
In overtime, Smith-Njigba caught the decisive pass from Darnold, and Seattle sealed the win with the successful two-point conversion. Smith-Njigba finished with 96 receiving yards; Nacua added to his season tally with another big night for the Rams.
The 23-year-old Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receiving yards this season with 1,541, while Puka Nacua sits second at 1,367 after a career-best 225 yards on Thursday.
Expert comment
The finish highlighted Seattle's resilience and Darnold's growth, says an NFL analyst. The expert notes that Seattle's late-game poise and Smith-Njigla's clutch play were decisive in overtime.
Short summary
Seattle staged a dramatic comeback to secure a playoff berth with a 38-37 overtime win. The Rams also clinched a postseason spot but sit lower in seeding. Smith-Njigba's 96 receiving yards and Walker's 55-yard TD run were pivotal, underscoring Seattle's depth and resilience heading into the postseason.
Key insight: Late-game composure and a decisive overtime touchdown sealed Seattle's playoff fate against a strong Rams side. BBC Sport
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