The Seattle Seahawks overcame a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit for the first time in franchise history to beat the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 in overtime and take control of the No. 1 seed for the NFC’s postseason.
The teams entered the game tied for the best record in the NFC at 11-3. By winning, Seattle replaced Los Angeles at the top of the conference playoff standings with two games left on its regular-season schedule and dropped the Rams to No. 5 in the seedings.
The No. 1 seed earns a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The No. 5 seed plays on the road in the first round.
The Seahawks’ comeback featured three 2-point conversions. The second was crazy; the third game-winning.
Seattle’s rally from a 30-14 deficit started with a 58-yard, touchdown punt return by wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, followed by a Sam Darnold-to-Cooper Kupp 2-point pass with 8:03 left in the fourth quarter.
Darnold got the Seahawks within two with a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end AJ Barner 1:40 later.
Darnold’s 2-point conversion pass after this TD was ruled incomplete initially after the football bounced off outside linebacker Jared Verse’s helmet and caromed into the end zone, where it was picked up by Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet got credit for a 2-point run after video review showed the pass had been thrown backward, making it a lateral and a free football.
In overtime, wide receiver Puka Nacua caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to give the Rams the lead. But in its possession, Seattle answered, and after Darnold threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 3:13 remaining in the extra period, he connected with tight end Eric Saubert with the game-deciding 2-point throw.
Stafford completed 29-of-49 passes for 457 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, and Nacua caught 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns.
Darnold completed 22-of-34 passes for 270 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Kenneth Walker had 100 yards on 11 rushing attempts, including a 55-yard touchdown run, and 64 yards on three receptions.
More stories on the NFL
Steelers add 1 former Alabama prep standout, waive another
NFL Week 16: Mike Vrabel out to stop Derrick Henry this time
Former Auburn defensive tackle returns to his original NFL team
Seven players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Los Angeles-Seattle game:
Seahawks safety A.J. Finley (St. Paul’s Episcopal) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Seahawks outside linebacker Derick Hall (Auburn) made three tackles.
Rams running back Jarquez Hunter (Auburn) was designated as a game-day inactive.
Josh Jobe (Alabama) started at cornerback for the Seahawks. Jobe made five tackles and broke up two tackles.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones (Saraland) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Seahawks offensive tackle Amari Kight (Thompson, Alabama) did not record any stats in his second appearance of the season. Seattle elevated Kight from its practice squad to make him eligible to play.
Rams cornerback Roger McCreary (Williamson, Auburn) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Jalen Milroe (Alabama) was designated as the Seahawks’ emergency third quarterback. He could play only if Sam Darnold and Drew Lock got hurt. Neither did.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (Alabama) did not record any stats.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (Jackson, Auburn) did not record any stats.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (Alabama) made three tackles.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (South Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Seahawks nose tackle Bubba Thomas (South Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Rams cornerback Darious Williams (UAB) made three tackles.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE
In its next game, Los Angeles plays the Atlanta Falcons at 7:15 p.m. CST Dec. 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in the Week 17 Monday game.
Seattle plays the Carolina Panthers at noon Dec. 28 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Seahawks then will play the San Francisco 49ers on the final Sunday of the regular season. The Rams close against the Arizona Cardinals.