The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 to win the NFC championship game.
A key defensive stop on fourth-and-4 late in the game secured the victory for Seattle.
The Seahawks’ win sends them to Super Bowl 60, their first appearance since the 2014 season.
SEATTLE – Linebacker Ernest Jones delivered a message to the Seahawks defense in the huddle as they clung to four-point lead on fourth-and-4 late in the fourth quarter. The Los Angeles Rams had driven 84 yards down the field and were six yards away from a go-ahead score.
“Everything we worked for in this moment,” Jones revealed what he said in the huddle to USA TODAY Sports. “I’ll be damned if you don’t give it your all right here.”
On the defense’s most consequential play, Matthew Stafford looked around to find an open pass catcher. He fired a pass to Terrance Ferguson as cornerback Devon Witherspoon blanketed the tight end to break up the play.
Turnover on downs.
The Seahawks took over possession of the football and were able to drain the clock before a final Rams’ desperation drive ran out of time.
A 31-27 score preserved. The Seahawks stamped their ticket to Santa Clara for Super Bowl 60.
The NFC championship game wasn’t a showcase by Seattle’s top scoring defense by any means. The unit gave up 479 total yards and 27 points. But on one of the game’s most decisive plays, the defense lived up to its “Dark Side” nickname.
“You talk about a group of guys who play together as one. A group of guys that are just gonna battle no matter what the circumstances are and who got each other back. The hardest times, the good times and the bad times. We stay together,” Witherspoon told USA TODAY Sports. “Once you come to that dark place, it’s a hard place to play. You don’t want to see us in there.”
In a game in which offense took centerstage, including an electric 28-point third quarter, the Seahawks’ formidable defense came through when it mattered most. In what was part of a scoreless fourth quarter.
Seattle’s win exemplified why they’ve won 16 total games during the entire year en route to Super Bowl 60. Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the offense continuously answered when the Rams would go on a scoring drive. Dareke Young recovered a muffed punt on special teams and the defense stiffened to get the biggest stop of the contest.
“Every team talks about wanting to be good in all three phases. I think we truly accomplished that this season,” Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams said.
The Seahawks made winning plays in all three phases. Their ability to make winning plays on offense, defense and special teams was highlighted in two straight postseason wins. And as a result, the franchise has advanced to itsfourth Super Bowl and first Super Bowl appearance since the 2014 season.
“Sometimes it was defense making the play, a lot of times it was offense coming in making the play (and) special teams,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “That’s what we believe. We believe that our team is our edge.”
The “edge” the Seahawks currently possess is the preeminent reason why they are the favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this season.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.