Seahawks’ ‘Dark Side’ defense has its legacy moment

SEATTLE – The Seattle Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense already had a nickname.

Now they have their legacy moment.

Seahawks beat Rams | Instant Reaction | Box score

With seven minutes left in Sunday night’s NFC Championship, the Seahawks were clinging to a 31-27 lead. The Los Angeles Rams were in the midst of a lengthy drive, sitting at first-and-10 from Seattle’s 12-yard line with a chance to pull in front.

On one side, it was NFL MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford and the league’s top-scoring offense. On the other, it was the NFL’s top-scoring defense.

It was precisely the moment where a great unit could stamp itself as legendary.

And with a Super Bowl trip hanging in the balance, the “Dark Side” came through.

Led by back-to-back end-zone pass breakups by star cornerback Devon Witherspoon, the Seahawks forced a turnover on downs to preserve their four-point lead and ultimately help seal a 31-27 victory that sent Seattle to its first Super Bowl in 11 years.

SEAHAWKS STOP THE RAMS INSIDE THE 10.

LARvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/hBGhi8eaxt

— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2026

The pivotal red-zone sequence began with an underneath pass from Stafford to star wideout Puka Nacua. Seahawks linebackers Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight quickly converged, stopping him for a 6-yard gain at the 6-yard line.

On the ensuing play, Knight stuffed running back Kyren Williams up the middle for no gain.

That set up third-and-4 from the 6-yard line. Stafford took a shotgun snap and couldn’t find anyone open, so he scooted out of the pocket to extend the play. Stafford tried to hit rookie wideout Konata Mumpfield in the front of the end zone, but Witherspoon flew in for a big hit to break up the pass.

Then, on fourth-and-4 from the Seattle 6, Stafford tried to sling a pass to rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson in the back of the end zone. Once again, Witherspoon was there to break it up.

Witherspoon, a 2023 first-round pick who’s already a three-time Pro Bowler, had some uncharacteristically rough moments earlier in the game.

But when it mattered most, he delivered two of the night’s biggest plays.

After the red-zone stand, the Seahawks mounted an 11-play, 49-yard drive that chewed nearly four and a half minutes off the clock. By the time the Rams finally got the ball back, they had 25 seconds to go 93 yards with no timeouts. A few moments later, as Nacua hauled in a harmless reception at midfield, the clock hit triple zeroes and the celebration began.

The Seahawks and their “Dark Side” defense are headed to the Super Bowl.

And if they finish the job two weeks from now in the Bay Area, their red-zone stand against Stafford & Co. will forever live in Seattle sports lore.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• On to the Super Bowl! Seattle Seahawks win NFC title
• Turning Points: The plays that won Seahawks the NFC Championship
• Seahawks avoid disaster after Riq Woolen’s taunting penalty
• Stacy Rost: Sam Darnold meets the moment for Seahawks
• Seahawks chair Jody Allen raises 12 Flag for NFC Championship

Related

NFL players will face suspension after 3 penalties in certain categoriesNFL ends the Pro Bowl, but players will still be honored as Pro BowlersChiefs make decision on QB Mahomes for preseason finale vs SeahawksNew Seahawks owner Khosla addresses Lumen Field and moreNFL owners approve Seahawks sale to Khosla-led groupLeonard Williams: Macdonald’s authenticity set tone for Seahawks’ success