Darnold shines, Smith-Njigba dominates. Seahawks offense ignites, securing their Super Bowl berth with a thrilling victory over the Rams.
The Seattle Seahawks have booked their spot in the Super Bowl in two weeks, after Sunday's stirring 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field.
All eyes were on QB Sam Darnold to see how he would handle the playoff pressure - and his oblique injury.
But he was more than just a "bus driver'' here, as he would finish his night's work going 25-of-36 for 346 yards and three TD throws, with a 127.8 rating.
And Darnold had help, with emerging superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba (10 receptions, 153 yards, one TD catch) the chief destroyer, and with running back Kenneth Walker (19 attempts for 62 yards and a TD, plus four catches for 49 more yards) carrying a load.
Seattle was the most consistent team in football all year, and it carried that form into the playoffs, punching its ticket to the Super Bowl, where the New England Patriots and Drake Maye await.
Here's how they did it against Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua and their NFC West rivals from LA. ...
First quarter
The Seahawks' defense came to the party early, forcing a three-and-out on the first possession of the game, to give the ball straight to Darnold and the offense.
And they didn't waste it.
Darnold led a seven-play, 81-yard drive as he connected with Rashid Shaheed on a 51-yard bomb, before Walker finished off the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown to put the Seahawks up 7-0.
After the Rams responded with a field goal, the Seahawks responded with a field goal of their own, with Darnold going 7-of-9 for 114 yards while having a 118.8 rating in the first quarter as he led two scoring drives.
Second quarter
The Seahawks defense then held the Rams to another field goal, with DeMarcus Lawrence getting a sack and forcing a fumble on Stafford, which the Rams recovered.
The Rams' defense managed its first Seattle stop, and on the following possession, Stafford took advantage, leading a 14-play, 87-yard drive that ended with a Kyren Williams touchdown to go up 13-10.
But the lead didn't last long, as Darnold led a 10-play, 79-yard drive that took just 34 seconds off the clock and ended with a Smith-Njigba touchdown as the Seahawks re-took the lead, going into halftime up 17-13.
Njigba was scintillating in the first half, posting 115 yards and a touchdown from seven receptions, while Darnold (12-of-18 for 209 yards, 1 TD, and a rating of 124.5) also played a starring role in giving Seattle the lead.
Third quarter
It was a classic back-and-forth third quarter with the Seahawks striking first after a muffed punt by the Rams' special teamer Xavier Smith, and Dareke Young recovered at the Rams' 17-yard line.
The next play? Darnold hit Jake Bobo for a 17-yard touchdown to give the Seahawks a huge boost, going up 24-13.
Or so we thought.
Stafford and the Rams came right back, going 75 yards in six plays for a Davante Adams touchdown, in a drive that took just 2:21 off the clock, and reduced the deficit to 24-20.
However, any momentum the Rams had was ripped away by Darnold and the offense, who drove 65 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown that ended with former Ram Cooper Kupp scoring.
But, again, not for long.
Stafford and the Rams came roaring back, but they got help. On 4th-and-12, defender Tariq Woolen was rather chirpy toward the L.A. bench and got an unsportsmanlike penalty, gifting the Rams a first down.
On the very next play, Stafford hit Puka Nacua for a 34-yard touchdown with Woolen in coverage as this high-octane game showed no signs of slowing down.
We turned for home with the Seahawks leading 31-27.
Fourth quarter
A tense fourth quarter saw the Rams possess the ball for over seven minutes, with the Seahawks defense coming up big on a fourth down at their own six-yard line, leaving a little over four minutes left for the often-criticized Darnold to navigate.
And navigate it he did, draining the clock and booking young head coach Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks' spot in the Super Bowl against the Patriots.
Vindication.