The Seahawks are back in the Super Bowl after a rousing 31-27 win over the Rams in the NFC title game.
With his defense struggling to contain the Rams for much of the game, Sam Darnold led Seattle with 346 passing yards, three touchdowns (all under pressure) and no interceptions. It was a spectacular performance that silenced any remaining Darnold doubters.
The analysis of the game is still ongoing two days later, and we finally have time to post the CHawk Talk — what everyone is saying about Seattle’s big win.
Here are some of the many highlights from NFL Twitter.
Darnold’s dominance
Darnold won this game and smote his remaining doubters. What an awesome performance. Lifted up his defense and carried his team to the Super Bowl. https://t.co/85ePwuyvfM
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) January 26, 2026
Mike Macdonald ends his opening comments praising Sam Darnold: “He just shut a lot of people up tonight.” pic.twitter.com/RcQgf6mozL
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) January 26, 2026
Sam Darnold silences haters.
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) January 26, 2026
“That was some high-powered quarterbacking in that game from number 14,” coach Mike Macdonald says.
“We had to come up with new stuff” because of Rams beating them on 2nd downs.
“The power of 12 as One, man…” https://t.co/do1bP8EuhO
Sam Darnold is the first QB with 3 pass TD under pressure in a playoff game in the @NextGenStats era. @Seahawks | #Seahawks https://t.co/KjJ5BK5SV6
— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) January 26, 2026
Sam Darnold completed 5-of-11 passes under pressure for 102 yards and a career-high three TDs against the Rams in the NFC Championship.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 26, 2026
Across Darnold’s first two games against the Rams this season, Darnold threw zero TDs and three INTs under pressure.
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/Qojbfl5htk
Sam Darnold's three touchdown passes last night all came under pressure, with the QB getting hit as he threw.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) January 27, 2026
"Those are great plays, all-time great plays," Mike Macdonald said. "Standing in there and trusting the timing of the play and letting it rip. It was pretty awesome." pic.twitter.com/yMHELHl842
Sam Darnold has led 9 game-winning drives since 2024
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) January 27, 2026
More than
• Lamar Jackson's 2023 MVP season
• Josh Allen's 2024 MVP season
• Matthew Stafford's 2025 All-Pro season
• Drake Maye's NFL career
Combined.
9 to 7
Only 11 quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for 330-plus yards, three or more touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 67% or better completion rate in a playoff game.
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) January 27, 2026
Add Sam Darnold to that list. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/eROeZkahPI
Sam Darnold in those games:
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) January 26, 2026
47 for 70 (67%), 606 yards, 5 TDs, 2 PATs, 2 INT
and 2 wins https://t.co/Txj5UZIqAp
Sam Darnold turnovers this season:
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) January 27, 2026
First 16 games: 20
Last 3 games: 0 pic.twitter.com/5UszF8RmJH
Mike Macdonald with @BrockHuard and @TheMikeSalk on Sam Darnold's performance last night:
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) January 26, 2026
"He was just fearless, man. Just fearless. It was awesome." https://t.co/Hi1H2hAPfF
Sam Darnold earned another $500K in incentives, as his $1M bonus for a divisional-round win became $1.5M for winning the NFC title game. Of a possible $5M in incentives for this season, he's secured at least $3M. He'd add $1M more if he wins Super Bowl LX. https://t.co/yEaCIEOJRF pic.twitter.com/2vWzQ3mepP
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) January 26, 2026
"Stop the doubt! Let me say it one more time, stop the doubt! He's that guy."
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 26, 2026
A.J. Barner on people doubting Sam Darnold pic.twitter.com/DkpcjvMA1L
Kupp’s revenge
Really good one from Silver on Cooper Kupp getting the last word (despite not being around to talk after the game) against his former team. Kupp was so clutch vs. the Rams. https://t.co/rmSFRKr1EJ
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) January 26, 2026
"This storyline, it couldn't have been written any better!"@DarrenMHaynes caught up with former Rams WR Cooper Kupp after defeating his former team and helping send the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.@CBSLosAngeles | #LARvsSEA pic.twitter.com/tpMqGgz4R6
— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) January 26, 2026
Dagger is a Day 1 install, and the Seahawks zapped the Rams with it for Sam Darnold's third passing touchdown of the game. It helps when Rashid Shaheed has already scared the daylights out of the defense deep, and the Rams are shading everything to the threat of him. pic.twitter.com/jbbt4Fnwfz
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) January 27, 2026
Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp: "Quit making me f***ing look for you so long. Go win your damn Super Bowl, kid."
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 26, 2026
(🎥 @insidetheNFL)pic.twitter.com/xLJ7jQVx4H https://t.co/2zrcMvmwJ6
Kubiak’s great calls
What a call from Klint Kubiak 😳
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) January 26, 2026
RB Scissors with JSN in the Backfield pic.twitter.com/Ge0U318QTW
Kubiak called a great game https://t.co/1LCm3m0LU9
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) January 26, 2026
Absolutely loved how Kubiak moved @jaxon_smith1 yesterday for @Seahawks
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 26, 2026
-Rec yds yesterday by line-up position:
Wide right (4-55)⁰Wide left (2-50)⁰Slot right (2-22)⁰Backfield (1-14)⁰Slot left (1-12) pic.twitter.com/xVYz3eJcTh
JSN’s artistry
It has been brought to my attention that the JSN one-handed snag was ALSO a no look throw from Sam the Man … Whaaaaaaaat !!!!!!???? pic.twitter.com/VceKuR0nfU
— Sea Hawkers Podcast (@SeaHawkersPod) January 27, 2026
Players to lead the NFL in receiving yards and reach the Super Bowl in the same season:
— Dante Koplowitz-Fleming (@DanteKopFlem) January 26, 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba this season
Cooper Kupp in 2021
Jerry Rice in 1994
Jerry Rice in 1989
Drew Pearson in 1977
E-Man’s the Man
The one defender who showed up all game … https://t.co/eRbQ5Vb2cS
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) January 26, 2026
Nick Emmanwori, the Seahawks' rookie nickelback, had three PBUs last night to go along with five tackles.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) January 27, 2026
"He played great football and really affected the game," Mike Macdonald said. "If we don’t have those pass breakups, I think there’s a different outcome …" pic.twitter.com/ft83FjkRw9
Nick Emmanwori allowed only two receptions for 8 yards on five targets in coverage against the Rams.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 26, 2026
The Seahawks rookie recorded three passes defensed and forced tight windows on all three of those targets.#LARvsSEA | @Seahawks
Nick Emmanwori in single coverage this year
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 26, 2026
134 snaps
6 catches allowed on 18 targets
78 total yards allowed
8 PBUs
1 TD allowed (on the goal line)
Kid's a unicorn, man.
Spoon’s redemption
After a really rough first three quarters, Spoon rose up in the fourth with multiple big plays. That includes the final tackle of the game to force the clock to run out. https://t.co/YGGBOTPVYe
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) January 26, 2026
Devon Witherspoon had a nightmare game and then made two PBUs and critically kept Puka inbounds on that final play to make sure Stafford never got a Hail Mary off.
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) January 26, 2026
That's the hallmark of a champion.
Mike Macdonald on @SeattleSports on Devon Witherspoon
— Maura Dooley (@Maura_Dool) January 26, 2026
“That’s like some legendary stuff, how he played in the red zone. As it was cited, the play shouldn’t have lasted that long on the 4th down. Just the relentlessness and resilience to just compete one play at a time.”
Woolen’s taunt
Here's the pool report with referee Clay Martin on Riq Woolen's taunting penalty late in the third quarter: pic.twitter.com/SItHZm2vwr
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) January 26, 2026
#Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald on Tariq Woolen taunting call:
— HawkMania (@hawkmania4) January 26, 2026
"He made an emotional decisions. But we have to pick him up. There is no point in getting upset. You got to go rebound and come back and he played well for the rest of the game. 12 as one. Keep picking everyone up."… pic.twitter.com/edZgqhWLqD
Wasn't getting pressed. We brothers and we all chasing greatness we on the same mission. https://t.co/gHHIhTMfOB
— Tariq Woolen (@_Tariqwoolen) January 26, 2026
It wasn't Riq Woolen's finest moment. He discussed his costly taunting penalty after the game. Referee Clay Martin also commented on what caused it to rise to the level of a penalty @thenewstribune 👇https://t.co/xZ3jk8mfWh
— Jon Manley (@manley_tnt) January 26, 2026
The Rams
Stafford was unbothered by the pass rush most of the game, and Nacua and Adams obviously are better than Seattle's corners when the QB is not harried. The Rams are a big challenge for Seattle's D. https://t.co/8rwcoubooq
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) January 27, 2026
The Seahawks have allowed 132 points during their 9-game win streak
— Dante Koplowitz-Fleming (@DanteKopFlem) January 27, 2026
64 points in 2 games vs the Rams
68 points in their other 7 games
Matthew Stafford is the first QB in NFL history to lose a playoff start while throwing for 350+ yards and 3+ TDs while committing 0 turnovers.
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) January 26, 2026
H/T @JoshDubowAP pic.twitter.com/Fl6B2aZzhs
The history
Here's where the #Seahawks stand among the top teams in DVOA history, including the playoffs. Regular-season ratings are also included. pic.twitter.com/q9MEUiju83
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) January 26, 2026
The Seahawks improved to 4-0 in the NFC Championship after last night's win over the Rams 💪 pic.twitter.com/26YxpDLD5u
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 26, 2026
Vets in Super Bowl finally
“I’ve been in this league for a long time – I couldn’t imagine it going this way – this season has been a dream, it feels like a movie”
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) January 26, 2026
Leonard Williams is finally headed to a Super Bowl now in his 11th season. He’s ecstatic!@nflnetwork @NFLGameDay #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/UtyObbT42w
The architects
John Schneider is the first general manager in NFL history to make multiple Super Bowls with the same franchise while having a completely new roster and head coach
— Dante Koplowitz-Fleming (@DanteKopFlem) January 26, 2026
h/t @zak_koeppel
Jody Allen isn't the most visible owner in the NFL, but she's been "a driving force" behind the #Seahawks' success, head coach Mike Macdonald told Brock and Salk. https://t.co/5qUeddAWhi
— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) January 26, 2026
The future
I like the way you think, Sando https://t.co/lf3oN9A2Ew
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) January 26, 2026
CHAWK TALK: Everything being said about the Seahawks 