Seahawks win dramatic 19-16 overtime game over Rams, clinch playoff berth

The Seattle Seahawks (9-8) are still alive in the playoff race after a come-from-behind 19-16 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams (5-12). It was ugly, it was frustrating, it went on longer than necessary, but Seattle now needs the Detroit Lions to tie or beat the Green Bay Packers in order to qualify for the postseason.

If the Seahawks make the playoffs, they will play at the San Francisco 49ers. Otherwise, that will be the Packers and Seattle’s season ends on a winning note. Geno Smith threw two interceptions, but threw for a touchdown and led a game-winning drive in overtime after Quandre Diggs picked off a potential winning TD throw by Baker Mayfield in OT.

Update: The Lions have beaten the Packers! Seattle is in the playoffs!

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1st Quarter

The Seahawks started the game on offense and Geno Smith was immediately intercepted by Jalen Ramsey, who returned the ball to Seattle’s 11. He was looking for DK Metcalf and found the All-Pro corner. The Seahawks defense was at least able to hold the Rams to a field goal by Matt Gay. 3-0 Rams.

Seattle’s second offensive possession was dominated by effective running, including a 27-yard run by DeeJay Dallas from the wild cat formation. The next snap with wild cat saw Geno false start, which put them behind the sticks in the red zone and they didn’t recover. Geno’s end zone throw to DK Metcalf was broken up and Jason Myers tied it up at 3-3.

Baker Mayfield was sacked twice on the next Rams series, once by Coby Bryant and once by Bruce Irvin. A big punt return by DeeJay Dallas put the Seahawks in Rams territory. Once again the Seahawks got into the red zone but needed to settle for a field goal. 6-3 Seahawks.

2nd Quarter

A huge 3rd and 1 run by Cam Akers put the Rams into Seahawks territory. Thankfully, Boye Mafe sacked Mayfield on 3rd down to force another field goal. Matt Gay converted from 45 yards out. 6-6.

Both teams punted on their ensuing possessions, with a theme of bad penalties putting struggling offenses behind the sticks in rainy conditions. Smith was fortunate not to be intercepted on a 3rd and 2 throw right into the arms of Quentin Lake, but he dropped it. Incomplete instead of an interception and a fumble and Seahawks recovery.

Even with bad field position, the Rams marched down the field in just nine plays. They went 87 yards, including a 3rd and 10 conversion to Tyler Higbee on a screen. Sean McVay’s creative run game hurt the Seahawks some more and Tutu Atwell put LA ahead with an 11-yard reverse touchdown. 13-6 Rams.

3rd Quarter

The Rams picked up one first down on a 4th and inches at their own 34, then stalled out after consecutive Mayfield incompletions and a sack by Darrell Taylor on 3rd down.

Geno let it rip to start the 2nd half. Consecutive completions to Colby Parkinson, DK Metcalf, and then to Tyler Lockett got them into the end zone. That Lockett pass was for 36 yards on an absolute time to get the touchdown over Troy Hill. 13-13.

Of course, the Rams easily marched down the field on the Seahawks defense and got inside the 20. The return of “bend but don’t break” emerged as they stymied Mayfield on a designed QB run on 2nd down and Mayfield was pressured into a 3rd down incomplete pass. Matt Gay came on to give the Rams the lead again. 16-13 Rams.

Ugh. Another pick by Geno. Terrible throw as he’s hit and Jalen Ramsey has another gimme. Luckily the Seahawks defense kept the Rams out of field goal range and ended up forcing a punt. Bruce Irvin and Uchenna Nwosu split a sack for five overall on Mayfield.

4th Quarter

Seattle got the ball back and promptly went 3-and-out. Two straight Kenneth Walker III runs and then a tackle of DeeJay Dallas short of the sticks. Not ideal. Back came the Rams for only one first down and yet another punt thanks to some stout Seahawks pass coverage and an aggressive pass rush.

The Seahawks went three-and-out again but got bailed out on a running into the punter penalty. A fortunate one, at that. Colby Parkinson was wide open on a huge play over the middle of the field, followed by a 12-yard catch by Dareke Young. Nick Bellore (!!) was deemed short of first down yardage on 2nd and 4, setting up 3rd and inches. Kenneth Walker was stuffed on 3rd down toss (!!) in field goal range. Seattle burned a 2nd timeout. They went for it instead of kicking the field goal and Walker converted on the toss play on the opposite side. First down at the Rams’ 13. A Geno scramble to the 4-yard line and then a Walker run to the 2-yard line to set up 1st and goal. Walker got down to the 1 to set up 2nd and goal. He’s denied on 2nd and goal on the outside and tackled by Ramsey at the 2. Seattle ridiculously used their last timeout with more than two minutes left.

3rd and goal? Stuffed. Jason Myers ties it up from 22. 16-16.

The Rams went three-and-out and with a 2nd down pass falling in complete, they gave the Seahawks a free timeout. The 3rd down throw was caught short of the sticks, which kept the clock running. Seattle getting the ball back at their 20 after Robert Rochell couldn’t down the ball at the 1. It was a perfect punt and he couldn’t get it done! 56 seconds left.

Cade Johnson to his own 30 for a first down. Clock ticking. Geno with a huge scramble and then he’s planted by Ramsey for a roughness penalty! Seattle is in field goal range can you believe it?!

Jason Myers from 46 yards out... NO GOOD! He hit the upright.

Overtime

The Seahawks won the toss and obviously received. They went three-and-out in next to no time. Baker Mayfield got the ball back at his own 27 with a chance to win and knock Seattle out of the playoffs. A botched 1st down handoff lost five yards. The next pass is PICKED by Quandre Diggs! Baker thought he had Van Jefferson! He had Quandre instead!

Geno found Tyler Lockett over the middle (with Bobby Wagner in coverage) for 17 yards. Kenneth Walker III broke loose for a big run into field goal range. Another run by Walker for a first down into the red zone! A couple more runs by Walker to the Rams’ 14. This is for the win from 32 yards out... GOOD! SEAHAWKS WIN! 19-16 Seahawks FINAL.

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Scoring Summary

1st Quarter: Matt Gay 22-yard field goal - SEA 0, LAR 3

1st Quarter: Jason Myers 37-yard field goal - SEA 3, LAR 3

2nd Quarter: Jason Myers 36-yard field goal - SEA 6, LAR 3

2nd Quarter: Matt Gay 45-yard field goal - SEA 6, LAR 6

2nd Quarter: Tutu Atwell 11-yard touchdown run - SEA 6, LAR 13

3rd Quarter: Tyler Lockett 36-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith - SEA 13, LAR 13

3rd Quarter: Matt Gay 38-yard field goal - SEA 13, LAR 16

4th Quarter: Jason Myers 22-yard field goal - SEA 16, LAR 16

Overtime: Jason Myers 32-yard field goal - SEA 19, LAR 16

Boxscore

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Seahawks Injury Report

CB Tariq Woolen suffered an ankle injury in the 2nd quarter. He returned later in the game.

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Next Week’s Opponent

A trilogy with the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, January 14th in Santa Clara, CA. Kickoff time is 1:30 PM PT on FOX.