Seahawks Clinch Playoff Berth in OT Win

Seattle Clinches Playoff Berth With Overtime Win Over Los Angeles to Control Postseason

Seattle has officially clinched a playoff berth and now controls its own fate in the conference after a stunning 38-37 overtime win over Los Angeles. The result not only locks in the Seahawks' postseason spot but also vaults them into the driver’s seat for the NFC’s No. 1 seed as the regular season winds down. This victory marks a definitive turning point, flipping what was a tight divisional race into a path that Seattle can now steer entirely with its own results. Overcoming a daunting 16-point fourth-quarter deficit, Seattle displayed championship-level resilience, capitalizing on a chaotic sequence of events—including a controversial backward-pass fumble recovery for a two-point conversion—to force the extra period. The win serves as a statement to the rest of the league: Seattle is not just happy to be in the tournament; they are playing to run the table.

Overtime Victory and Playoff Implications

Seattle seized control in overtime, delivering the decisive blow to cap a hard-fought game against Los Angeles. After the Rams struck first in the extra frame with a touchdown pass to Puka Nacua, the pressure shifted squarely onto Seattle’s shoulders. Quarterback Sam Darnold responded with a masterful drive, connecting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown to pull within one. Then, in a gutsy "win-or-go-home" decision, Head Coach Mike Macdonald opted to go for the two-point conversion rather than play for a tie. The gamble paid off when Darnold found tight end Eric Saubert in the end zone, sealing the 38-37 victory. This win fuels immense momentum as Seattle heads into a stretch that will test its playoff push and gives the team confidence that no deficit is insurmountable. In late-season showdowns, finishing in overtime can swing the outcome of an entire season, and Seattle did it in the most dramatic fashion possible.

Positioning and Road to the Postseason

With the spot locked in and a 12-3 record, Seattle can focus on the remaining games and what they mean for the conference standings. The win tightens the playoff picture significantly for Los Angeles, who now slide to the fifth seed, while upping the pressure for Seattle's next game to maintain their hold on home-field advantage. The "control" aspect is critical; by holding the tiebreaker and the best record, the road to the Super Bowl could very well go through Lumen Field. Bottom line: Seattle controls what happens next and will decide its postseason path with what unfolds on the field, knowing that their destiny is finally in their own hands.