Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had a huge game to help lead the Seahawks to a 31-27 win over the Rams in the NFC championship game, or as head coach Mike Macdonald said, “he just shut a lot of people up tonight."
Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, erasing any doubt about his ability to come through in big games, and one thing that really stood out was in play under pressure.
Facing a tough Rams defense that has given him trouble in the past with its pass rush, Darnold made some of his best throws with pass rushers in his face or while being hit. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Darnold was 5 for 11 when pressured, not a great completion percentage, but those five completions gained 102 yards, and included all three touchdown passes.
That's a big improvement compared to the regular season when in two meetings against the Rams, Darnold had no touchdowns and three interceptions when pressured.
"I mean, 300-something yards, three touchdowns, no picks," Macdonald said. "Every time they went and scored he came back, made some big time throws on third down, two-minute drive, four-minute drive. Guy barely practiced all week. Just really happy for him. He deserves it. Just been a rock for us the whole year, so just really happy for him.
"He was confident and to come out the way he played barely practicing, just barely throwing the ball, is really incredible. It should go down as one of the best performances in playoff history I would imagine. I mean, hard to stack it. I can't imagine anybody playing any better."
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX. Check out the top photos George Halas NFC Championship trophy ceremony.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) celebrates after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight celebrates after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) and defensive end Mike Morris celebrate after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
From left to right, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock, quarterback Sam Darnold and quarterback Jalen Milroe celebrate after a win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, center, celebrates with quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) quarterback Drew Lock, left, after the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, middle, smiles next to president of football operations/general manager John Schneider, right, after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams. Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Michael Strahan, left, talks with Seattle Seahawks Chair Jody Allen, second from left, after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Michael Strahan left stands next to Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald after a win over Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold lifts the winner's trophy next to Michael Strahan, left, after a win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, lifts the winner's trophy next to Michael Strahan, left, and chair Jody Allen, right, after a win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, lifts the winner's trophy next to Michael Strahan, left, and chair Jody Allen, right, after a win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Michael Strahan, left, watches as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, celebrates next to Michael Strahan, left, after a win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Seahawks players celebrate after a win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abraham Lucas, foreground, celebrates with teammates after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) celebrates after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, right, celebrates with fans after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 31-27 to win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LX.
