Field Gulls
What a whirlwind of a game that was!!!
The Seattle Seahawks (12-3) are in first place in the NFC West. They were 30-14 down in the fourth quarter and they’d never come back from more than 14 in the fourth quarter in franchise history. In season 50, that streak is over.
From 30-14 down, the Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams in an impossible to believe comeback. Sam Darnold shook off two interceptions and threw two touchdowns, while Rashid Shaheed had the big punt return TD that sparked an eventual 38-37 comeback win in overtime. They overcame over 450 yards passing from Matthew Stafford, 200+ yards and two touchdowns from Puka Nacua, and injuries to Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen, and Nick Emmanwori to pull off a stunner.
Oh yeah, Seattle clinched a playoff spot along the way and have the inside track on the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU JUST SAW?!
The Seahawks won the coin toss and opted to put the Rams on offense first. In the first meeting, the Rams turned it over on downs on their opening possession. In the rematch, they went 10 plays… and turned it over on downs again, only this time not near the goal line. Kyren Williams carried the ball seven times, including one 4th down conversion in his own territory, but he was stopped short by Uchenna Nwosu and Josh Jobe!
The Seahawks’ first possession in the first meeting was a Sam Darnold interception. In the rematch, it was a touchdown. Kenneth Walker III took a screen pass 46 yards into the red zone on Seattle’s third play from scrimmage, setting up goal-to-go. Two snaps later, Zach Charbonnet (as he often does) punched it in from a few yards out for an early 7-0 Seahawks lead. Seattle’s first 1st half offensive touchdown since Week 12 and first opening drive touchdown since Week 10!
Back came the Rams with a 12-play, 75-yard drive highlighted by a 27-yard catch by tight end Davis Allen, who took advantage of a rare coverage bust by Mike Macdonald’s defense. Puka Nacua converted 4th and 5 on Josh Jobe in tight coverage to keep the drive alive—the Seahawks were offside anyway. Nacua nearly got into the end zone on 3rd and goal, but a wonderful tackle by Nick Emmanwori stopped him at the 1-yard line. A touchdown to Terrance Ferguson was nullified by an ineligible man downfield penalty on Justin Dedich, a reserve right guard who had to come in for the injured Kevin Dotson. Rules analyst Terry McAulay said on Prime Video that the foul shouldn’t have been called since he was actively engaged with a blocker and continued beyond the 1-yard limit, but the flag was thrown and the Rams had a touchdown turned to a Harrison Mevis field goal. 7-3 Seahawks.
Zach Charbonnet gained nine yards on Seattle’s second possession, but the Seahawks passed on 2nd and 3rd and 1 and both passes...
