Dec. 19 (UPI) — The Seattle Seahawks overcame three turnovers and a 225-yard performance by Puka Nuca, rallying past the Los Angeles Rams to clinch a playoff spot.
The Seahawks, who trailed by 16 points early in the fourth quarter, scored and converted two two-point conversions in a span of less than two minutes to force overtime in the 38-37 triumph Thursday in Seattle.
“We are very resilient and relentless group,” Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold told reporters. “We just continue to go. There is no quit. We are always going to continue to fight.”
The Rams became the first team in NFL history to lose after totaling more than 500 yards of offense, with zero giveaways and at least three takeaways. The Seahawks’ win probability dropped as low as 2.7% with 9:04 remaining in regulation, according to NextGenStats, prior to their rabid rally.
“It was a great back-and-forth battle between two really good football teams,” Rams coach Sean McVay said.
Nacua secured 12 catches, including 1- and 41-yard touchdown grabs, as part of his 225-yard showing. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 29 of 49 passes for 457 yards and three scores in the loss.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught eight passes for 96 yards. Kenneth Walker totaled 164 yards from scrimmage and a score on 14 touches.
Took it and TOOK OFF. @RashidShaheed
: @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/6kKRZTy27l— x – Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 19, 2025
Fellow Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet ran for a 4-yard score on the Seahawks’ first drive of the night. The Seahawks scored just once more until midway through the fourth quarter.
Kicker Harrison Mevis made field goals on the Rams’ next two drives. Stafford threw a 3-yard touchdown toss to tight end Terrance Ferguson 3:43 before halftime for a 13-7 Rams lead.
Walker ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run on the Seahawks’ first play of the second half, leading to a 14-13 edge. Mevis made his third field goal of the night about four minutes later to give the lead back to the Rams.
Cornerback Josh Wallace intercepted Darnold on the next possession. Rams running back Blake Corum ran for a 1-yard touchdown on the next snap. The Rams increased their lead to 30-14 on Nacua’s 1-yard score 1:26 into the fourth quarter.
Darnold and the Seahawks got off to a rough start in their comeback effort when the quarterback threw an interception to defensive end Kobie Turner with 9:39 remaining.
WHAT. A. PASS. TOUCHDOWN PUKA!!
@NFLonPrime | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/5EbbedYlLN— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 19, 2025
But Rashid Shaheed answered with a 58-yard punt return for a score with about eight minutes remaining. Darnold then completed a two-point conversion pass to Cooper Kupp to slice the deficit to eight points.
The Seahawks defense forced a three-and-out on the next drive. Shaheed returned the resulting punt 31 yards. Darnold threw a 26-yard touchdown toss to tight end A.J. Barner on the next play.
The Seahawks quarterback threw what was initially ruled an incomplete pass during a two-point conversion attempt after the score. Referees then reversed the call, determining that Darnold threw a backward pass, which hit off Rams linebacker Jared Verse and was recovered in the end zone by Charbonnet.
The controversial conversion tied the score at 30-30. Neither team scored for the final 6:23 of regulation.
Conversion: successful. We see you, @zachcharbon.
: @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/PUhrExEkwO— x – Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 19, 2025
Stafford threw a 41-yard touchdown to Nacua on the first possession of overtime. Darnold connected with Smith-Njigba for a 5-yard score on the next drive. He then found tight end Eric Saubert for the game-winning points on a third successful two-point conversion to put the Seahawks in the playoffs.
With their victory, the Seahawks (12-3) currently hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Rams (11-4), who also already clinched a playoff berth, sit in the No. 5 spot and are second in the NFC West.
The Seahawks will face the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 28 in Charlotte, N.C. The Rams (11-4) will take on the Atlanta Falcons (5-9) on Dec. 29 in Atlanta.
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