Recap: Seahawks storm back to stun Rams, clinch playoff spot

The Seattle Seahawks rallied from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 on Thursday night and take a one-game lead in the NFC West.

BY ANDREW DESTIN

Dec 18, 2025, 9:38 PM Updated: 10:09 pm

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SEATTLE (AP) — Sam Darnold connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown in overtime, then hit a wide-open Eric Saubert for the winning 2-point conversion, and the Seattle Seahawks rallied from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 on Thursday night and take a one-game lead in the NFC West.

Seahawks 38, Rams 37 (OT): Instant Reaction | Box score

The Seahawks went 3 for 3 on 2-point conversions, none more improbable than the one that tied the game at 30-all in the fourth quarter. Darnold’s deflected pass intended for Zach Charbonnet was initially ruled incomplete, but after a replay review was determined to be a backward pass.

Charbonnet, who had casually picked up the loose ball in the end zone, was credited with the 2 points.

Bizarre backwards pass call saves Seattle Seahawks in huge win

The Rams got the ball first in overtime and Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua, who cruised untouched into the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown to make it 37-30. Nacua finished with 12 catches for 225 yards and two TDs, and Stafford had 457 yards passing — the third-most of his career — and three scores as the Rams’ offense totaled 581 yards without a turnover.

Who else but Puka Nacua! 😤 #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/BylWPrnhBu

— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 19, 2025

Nonetheless, the Seahawks came up with some big stops in the fourth quarter that were crucial to Seattle’s rally. The Rams had four punts and a missed field goal on their final five possessions of regulation.

Seattle (12-3) clinched a playoff spot and moved into position for the top seed in the NFC, while LA (11-4) faces a road playoff opener if it can’t overtake the Seahawks in the final two weeks of the season.

The Seahawks trailed 30-14 when Rashid Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown and Darnold connected with Cooper Kupp for the 2-point conversion. After a three-and-out by the Rams, Darnold found tight end AJ Barner for a 26-yard TD, and Charbonnet tied it on the quirky 2-point play.

BARN SHOW 🚨 @_ajbarner_ 26 yard TD.

📺: @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/bRVAdIfPu7

— x – Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 19, 2025

Darnold, who threw four interceptions against the Rams in a 21-19 loss in November, was picked off twice in this one, including by 297-pound defensive end Kobie Turner. But he made clutch throws in the fourth quarter and OT, finishing with 270 yards passing and two TDs.

Injuries

Rams: Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson injured his ankle in the first quarter and did not return.

Seahawks: Three players in the secondary left in the fourth quarter: Safety Coby Bryant (knee), Safety Nick Emmanwori (evaluated for a concussion) and cornerback Riq Woolen (knee).