Seattle rallies past Rams 31-27, earns first Super Bowl trip in 11 years

Sam Darnold threw three touchdown passes and the Seattle Seahawks’ defense made a decisive late stop as Seattle advanced to the Super Bowl with a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

Led by second-year coach Mike Macdonald and Darnold, an eight-year veteran playing for his fifth team, the Seahawks finished 16-3 and reached the fourth Super Bowl in franchise history and their first in 11 years.

Seattle will face New England in two weeks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The Seahawks lost their most recent Super Bowl appearance to the Patriots.

The game turned on a late defensive stand.

With Los Angeles facing fourth-and-4 at the Seattle 6, Rams coach Sean McVay chose to go for it.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s pass into the end zone was broken up by Devon Witherspoon, ending the threat.

The Rams did not get the ball back until 25 seconds remained, and Puka Nacua was tackled inbounds near midfield on the final play.

Darnold completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards without a turnover, playing through an oblique injury.

He threw three touchdowns after struggling in his playoff debut last season with the Minnesota Vikings.

Seattle capitalized on a key Rams mistake in the third quarter.

After Xavier Smith muffed a punt, Darnold connected with Jake Bobo for a 17-yard touchdown on the next play.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the Seahawks’ receivers with 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.

Stafford threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns for Los Angeles, which finished 14-6, but the Rams were hurt by critical errors that proved costly in the final result.

LIVE UPDATES

6:52 p.m.

With just :25 seconds left, the Seahawks punted the ball to the Rams, who were unable to move downfield to score. Final Seahawks 31, Rams 27.

6:44 p.m.

It’s the two-minute warning! The Seahawks are still up 31-27. ESPN win probability at 95.6% for the Seahawks.

6:27 p.m.

The Rams marched downfield, but the Seahawks stopped them on 4th down at the 6 yard line. Seahawks still up 31-27 with 4:54 left in the 4th quarter. ESPN win probability at 76.2% for the Seahawks.

5:59 p.m.

After keeping the Rams to 4th and 12, an unsportsmanlike conduct call on the Seahawks brought the Rams back to first down. They followed up immediately with a touchdown pass to Nacua. 31-27 Seahawks with 2:06 left in the 3rd quarter. ESPN win probability at 71.1% for the Seahawks.

5:47 p.m.

TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS! 9 plays, 65 yards ends with touchdown pass from Darnold to Kupp. Seahawks up 31-20 with 4:52 left in the 3rd quarter. ESPN win probability at 87.2% for the Seahawks.

5:38 p.m.

Rams go 75 yards in 4 plays, ending with Stafford throwing a touchdown pass to Adams. 24-20 Seahawks. 9:41 left in the 3rd quarter. ESPN win probability at 68.2% for the Seahawks.

5:35 p.m.

TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS! Darnold to Bobo, with his fourth catch of the year. Seahawks up 24-13 with 12:02 left in the 3rd quarter. ESPN win probability at 84.6% for the Seahawks.

5:29 p.m.

Rams Smith muffs a punt, recovered by the Seahawks at the Rams 17-yard line. ESPN win probability at 77.5% for the Seahawks.

5:10 p.m.

Halftime! Seahawks lead, 17-13, over the Rams. ESPN win probability at 66.5% for the Seahawks.

5:05 p.m.

TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS! Darnold to JSN! Seahawks go 74 yards in 6 plays, with :20 left in the 2nd quarter. Seahawks up 17-13. ESPN win probability at 67% for the Seahawks.

4:43 p.m.

Rams drive 87 yards in 12 plays, ending with a 9 yard pass to Kyren Williams for a touchdown. 13-10 Rams with 1:55 left in the 2nd quarter. ESPN win probability at 44.6% for the Seahawks.

4:22 p.m.

Rams kick a field goal to make it 10-6 Seahawks with 12:11 left in the 2nd quarter. ESPN win probability at 66.3% for the Seahawks.

4:15 p.m.

At the end of the 1st quarter, the Seahawks are up 10-3 over the Rams.

4:11 p.m.

Seahawks with 11 plays, 56 yards, but the Rams hold the Seahawks to a field goal. 10-3 with :54 left in the 1st quarter. ESPN win probability at 71% for the Seahawks.

3:58 p.m.

Stafford to Nacua with a 44-yard bomb down field, but the Seahawks defense holds the Rams to a field goal. 7-3 Seahawks. 8:15 left in the 1st quarter. ESPN win probability at 65.8% for the Seahawks.

3:50 p.m.

Touchdown Seahawks! Kenneth Walker III runs it in for a touchdown. Seahawks up 7-0. 9:57 left in the 1st quarter. ESPN win probability at 70.2% for the Seahawks.

3:44 p.m.

The Rams go 3 and out. ESPN win probability at 55.6% for the Seahawks. 13:33 left in the 1st quarter.

3:43 p.m.

The Seahawks won the toss and deferred. They will receive the ball to start the second half.

3:40 p.m.

Want to see the live seismograph of Lumen Field during the game? You can see that here!

3:25 p.m.

Seahawks Chair Jody Allen will be raising the 12 Flag for the NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field.

3:15 p.m.

The New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos Sunday afternoon, by a final score of 10-7, earning them a trip to Santa Clara and Super Bowl 60.

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