Darnold, JSN, Seahawks Thrill Fans by Beating Stafford, Rams to Advance to Super Bowl vs. Patriots

The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams played three times this season. The total difference between them was all of three points.

The Seahawks won Sunday's rubber match at the NFC Championship Game, 31-27, led by Sam Darnold's 346 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Superstar wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba added 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.

▶️ Full Rams-Seahawks Recap

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This was an offensive masterpiece of on both sides, with Matthew Stafford (374 passing yards, three touchdowns) and Puka Nacua (nine catches for 165 yards and a score) balling out for the Rams.

But ultimately it was Darnold, JSN and the Seahawks who were just a bit better, and social media gave them their due flowers:

The Rams won the first matchup between the teams in November, 21-19, but the Seahawks responded with a 38-37 overtime thriller one month later. That set up Sunday's brilliant finale with a berth in the Super Bowl on the line.

Now the Seahawks will face the New England Patriots in two weeks, a game Seattle will surely be favored to win after blowing out the San Francisco 49ers and surviving another instant classic against the Rams in the postseason. Sunday's matchup felt like a clash of the two best teams in the sport.

The Patriots will have something to say about that, of course. But if Darnold plays like he did against the Rams, the Seahawks are going to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.