Sam Darnold and Seahawks Advance to Super Bowl With Thrilling 31-27 Win Over Rams in NFC Title Game

Sam Darnold and Seahawks Advance to Super Bowl With Thrilling 31-27 Win Over Rams in NFC Title Game
Seattle Seahawks' Dareke Young (83) celebrates after recovering a fumble by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith during a punt return during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game in Seattle on Jan. 25, 2026. Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo
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SEATTLE—Sam Darnold threw for three touchdowns, the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense came up with a critical fourth-down stop, and Seattle advanced to the Super Bowl, beating the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in an electrifying NFC championship game on Sunday.

Led by second-year coach Mike Macdonald and Darnold — an eight-year veteran playing for his fifth team — the Seahawks (16-3) reached the fourth Super Bowl in franchise history and first in 11 years. Seattle lost that most recent appearance to New England, its opponent in two weeks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.