It was a ‘Thursday Night Football’ game for the ages.
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 38-37 in overtime, in the first game of Week 16 to take over the top spot in the division and conference with a 12-3 record.
It featured a 457-yard, three-touchdown game from Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and a season-defining overtime drive led by Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who quashed the narrative that he can’t win big games.
Seattle successfully converted three straight two-point attempts in the final two periods – the fourth quarter and overtime – to come away with the massive win. Now, both the Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers control their destiny in the NFC West title chase and hunt for the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
The Seahawks-49ers Week 18 matchup in Santa Clara suddenly looms very large with potentially huge implications in the NFC playoff picture.
Here’s a look at how the thriller unfolded with USA TODAY Sports’ live coverage of the Seahawks’ big win as it happened:
Rams vs. Seahawks takeaways
- Sean McVay – that’s it, that’s the message: There are few head coaches who routinely scheme up the right call, in the right time, to wide open receivers. McVay is better than any head coach in the game at dialing up the right play at the right time. It was a masterclass in offensive play-calling. Well, almost.
- Run the dang ball: That all said, the Rams’ decision to stray away from running the ball late felt like questionable game management. Seattle’s pass rush started moving bodies and Stafford had trouble finding receivers with ease as he did in the first half. The pairing of Blake Corum and Kyren Williams should have gotten more run late: On LA’s last three regulation possessions, the running backs paired for two rushing attempts. While Stafford was cooking, the Rams’ clock may have benefited from some more ground game.
- MVP in a loss: Matthew Stafford seemed to clinch the NFL MVP award with his performance, even in a loss. Missing Davante Adams, his No. 2 wide receiver and top red-zone threat, Stafford still managed to throw for 457 yards and three touchdowns – including a no-look beauty – against the Seahawks. In a game that had NFC West title and conference No. 1 seed implications – a game that was on the road and against one of the league’s best defenses – Stafford did not flinch. He extended his multi-touchdown streak to nine straight games, extended his league-leading passing touchdowns mark to 40 and avoided turning the ball over to keep his interception count for the season at five. His ‘Thursday Night Football’ performance against the Seahawks was also his fourth game with more than 300 passing yards. It may not have ended in a win, but Stafford did just about everything he could have.
- The Deeds of Shaheed: Rashid Shaheed turned this game on its head. In the Seahawks’ biggest game of the season so far, Seattle’s speedy trade deadline acquisition made two plays in the fourth quarter that helped pull his team back into the game late. The Seahawks were trailing by 16 points and had just turned the ball over in the red zone with under 10 minutes left. After the defense forced a punt, Shaheed pulled the Seahawks (and their home fans) back into the game with a 58-yard punt return touchdown. An ensuing two-point conversion suddenly pulled Seattle back within one score, and Shaheed got back to work with a massive play on his team’s next possession. On his only touch on offense in regulation, the Seahawks’ wide receiver took an end-around handoff and sprinted up the right sideline for a 31-yard gain. The Seahawks scored a game-tying touchdown – helped by a wild 2-point conversion – on the following play. Shaheed’s two big plays shifted the momentum back in Seattle’s favor, which was enough to help force overtime and an eventual win.
- Waiting all day for…Thursday night?: That ‘Thursday Night Football’ game lived up to all of its high expectations. There was plenty of drama in a game that had big implications for the NFC West title and NFC’s top seed. Early on, the Rams struggled to take advantage of their red-zone trips. But the defense kept Los Angeles in it long enough for the offense to flip the script as MVP favorite Matthew Stafford took over. The Seahawks’ chances seemed dead in the water when they trailed by 16 points and turned the ball over in the red zone with fewer than 10 minutes left. Then, a punt return touchdown by Shaheed and a two point conversion pulled them back to within one score. Seattle’s pass-rush attack started to come alive in the fourth quarter and helped force a three-and-out that led to another big play by Shaheed, another Seahawks touchdown, then the wildest 2-point conversion of the season to tie the game. To close things out, there was an overtime to remember. An apparent Stafford interception on a tipped pass was overturned, and he threw a 41-yard touchdown to Puka Nacua a few plays later. The Seahawks took over and marched back down the field in a drive highlighted by some nice plays by Jaxon Smith-Njigba – who had been limited in his production during regulation – and a few excellent throws by quarterback Sam Darnold. In the end, the Seahawks came away with the big, prime-time win on a final 2-point conversion attempt following Smith-Njigba’s four-yard touchdown catch.
Rams vs Seahawks score update: Darnold, Seattle walk off
A touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba brought the Seahawks to within a single point. With the game on the line, Seattle opted for the 2-point conversion rather than the tie, and Darnold found Eric Saubert for the game-winning score. Seattle wins, 38-37.
Rams vs Seahawks score update: Puka Nacua strikes in OT
Matthew Stafford found Puka Nacua for another touchdown, this time, a critical OT strike. That puts the Rams up 37-30 with the Seahawks getting a chance to tie or win the game.
NFL overtime rules 2025
Overtime rules during the regular season changed for 2025 to match what’s been used in the postseason since 2022. The overtime period will be 10 minutes long, with each team getting two timeouts and all reviews initiated by the booth.
Both teams have a chance to possess the football in overtime. A coin toss is used to determine who chooses to get the ball first. The only exception for both teams getting possession is when the kicking team scores a safety on the receiving team’s first possession.
After each team possesses the ball, the team with more points wins. If it is still tied after one possession each, the team that scores next wins. If the score is still tied after those 10 minutes, the game will end in a tie.
Rams vs Seahawks score update: Harrison Mevis misses
The ‘Thiccer Kicker’s’ first miss of the year couldn’t have come at a worse time: Mevis’ attempt to put the Rams up a field goal with the clock nearing the 2-minute warning sailed wide of the uprights, giving the Seahawks a short field to set up a potential go-ahead or game-winning field goal. Rams 30, Seahawks 30
Matthew Stafford injury update: Rams QB makes quick visit to medical tent
The Rams passer was shaken up after a hit by a Seahawks defender, and paid a trip to the blue medical tent. He wouldn’t miss a play, however, and he was back on the field on the ensuing Los Angeles possession.
Seahawks convert wild 2-point conversion
A Sam Darnold pass was initially deemed incomplete and a failed 2-point try. After further review, the pass was deemed backwards, and it was recovered in the end zone, meaning the Seahawks tied the game up.
Seahawks vs Rams score update: Sam Darnold finds AJ Barner for TD
Shaheed’s touchdown may have sparked something in the Seahawks: Sam Darnold found tight end A.J. Barner for a touchdown pass to bring it within two points.
A bizarre 2-point conversion means that this game is tied with time ticking down in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks vs Rams score update: Rashid Shaheed makes house call
The Seahawks are showing signs of life midway through the fourth. A Rashid Shaheed punt return touchdown, followed by a Darnold 2-point conversion, brings this game back to within one score late. Rams 30, Seahawks 22
Kobie Turner comes up with Sam Darnold interception
Sam Darnold has looked less-than sharp in this matchup, especially indicated by the second interception of the night. Defensive lineman Kobie Turner dropped into coverage to pick off the Seahawks passer in the red zone, ending a Seahawks scoring threat.
Rams vs Seahawks score update: Puka Nacua extends LA lead
Three plays after picking up 58 yards on a reception to end the third quarter, Nacua found the end zone on a one-yard catch for his seventh touchdown of the season.
Los Angeles has pulled ahead to a two-touchdown lead, 30-14, with 13:34 left to play.
Who is the Seahawks’ backup QB?
Drew Lock is Darnold’s backup in Seattle. The former Broncos second-round pick is in his third season with the Seahawks and the first year of a second stint. Lock spent last year with the New York Giants as Daniel Jones’ backup quarterback before re-signing with the Seahawks in the offseason.
Rookie quarterback and Seahawks 2025 third-round pick Jalen Milroe is behind Lock on the depth chart. He’s serving as Seattle’s emergency third quarterback on Thursday night, so he can only enter the game if Darnold and Lock are both ruled out by the Seahawks’ training staff.
Sam Darnold stats today
- Completion rate: 10-of-16 (62.5%)
- Passing yards: 126
- Yards per attempt: 7.9
- Touchdowns: 0
- Interceptions: 1
- Passer rating: 60.9
Through three quarters of play, Darnold has yet to cross the 150-yard mark and has one interception and zero touchdowns. He’s also been sacked twice for losses of nine total yards.
Seahawks vs Rams score update: Sam Darnold INT leads to Rams TD
Rams cornerback Josh Wallace picked off Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and returned his interception to Seattle’s 1-yard line. Corum got the final yard on a handoff on Los Angeles’ first play of their ensuing possession.
The Rams have extended their lead to 23-14 with 6:30 left in the third quarter.
Seahawks vs Rams score update: Harrison Mevis stays perfect
The Rams’ 23-year-old kicker is 3-for-3 on field goal attempts on Dec. 18 and 8-for-8 on the season after his 41-yard field goal puts Los Angeles back in front.
It’s 16-14 Rams with 8:37 left in the third quarter.
NFC West standings
- Los Angeles Rams (11-3, 3-1 NFC West)
- Seattle Seahawks (11-3, 2-2)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4, 4-1)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-11, 0-5)
The Rams lead the NFC West thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker they held over the Seahawks entering Week 16.
Tonight’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ game has huge implications for the division title race. If the Rams win, they control their own destiny to secure the NFC West crown and No. 1 seed in the NFC.
But if the Seahawks win, both Seattle and San Francisco control their own destinies for the division title and conference’s No. 1 seed. If either team were to win out (which would have to include a head-to-head victory in their Week 18 matchup), they’d earn a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Seahawks vs Rams score update: Kenneth Walker breaks free for TD
It didn’t take long for Seattle to open the second half scoring. Just 2:03 into the the third quarter, Kenneth Walker broke a 55-yard touchdown run, exploding off the right side for the score. The Seahawks retake the lead. Seahawks 14, Rams 13
Seahawks vs Rams score update: Stafford, Ferguson give Rams lead
Los Angeles has taken the lead after capping off an 11-play, 62-yard drive with a touchdown pass to the rookie tight end. After establishing the run for the entire drive, the Rams ran a play-action-pass in the red zone. Ferguson ran a slide route after a brief block-and-release and caught quarterback Matthew Stafford’s three-yard pass for the score, making up for his earlier touchdown catch that was nullified by a penalty.
It was the second touchdown of Ferguson’s career, and the Rams now lead, 13-7, with 3:43 left in the first half.
Seahawks vs Rams score update: Rams draw closer with FG
Los Angeles lined up to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the Seahawks’ 5-yard line but took a delay of game penalty when Seattle didn’t jump offsides. After the penalty, the ‘Thiccer Kicker’ jogged out for his second field goal of the night, only marginally more difficult than the first.
Mevis’ 28-yard field goal draws the Rams within one point of the Seahawks. Seattle holds a 7-6 lead with 12:45 left in the first half.
LA Rams kicker Harrison Mevis: What to know
Mevis is the Rams’ 23-year-old kicker. After playing four seasons for Missouri in college, he signed with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2024 but ultimately was waived before the season.
He spent the spring in 2025 with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL. Mevis signed with the Rams’ practice squad in early November and signed to the active roster on Nov. 19.
Mevis, who is listed as 6 feet tall and 245 pounds, filed a trademark on the phrase ‘THICCER KICKER’ in 2022, while he was still in college, according to the Columbia Daily Tribune, part of the USA TODAY Co. Network.
Seahawks vs Rams score update: Rams answer with FG
Los Angeles appeared to score a touchdown on a fourth-and-goal play from the Seahawks’ 1-yard line, but it was nullified by an ineligible player downfield penalty.
After the Rams backed up to the 6-yard line, kicker Harrison Mevis nailed a chip shot field goal to get his team on the board.
It’s 7-3 Seahawks as they take over possession with 1:43 left in the first quarter.
Seahawks vs Rams score update: Zach Charbonnet gets scoring started
Two plays after fellow running back Kenneth Walker got the ball down to the Rams’ 5-yard line on a 46-yard catch-and-run, Charbonnet hit pay dirt for the first points of the night.
The Seahawks have taken a 7-0 lead at home after Jason Myers knocked through an extra point. Los Angeles will take over for its second possession with 7:09 left in the first quarter.
NFL virtual measurement: What to know
If the ball is close to the line to gain, the referee can call for a virtual measurement.
Once the ball is placed by an official, the operator zooms in on the ball to confirm it’s location. The cameras in the stadium then cut back to the location of the ball on the previous play, determining the distance between those points.
The camera system will not spot the ball for referees, leaving that human element intact. All it will do is determine if the ball carrier achieved a first down based on the official’s spot.
Other critics have highlighted that the virtual measurement can sometimes take a long time. Since players, officials and fans are left standing around waiting for an image to generate on the in-stadium screens, there is a noticeable lack of movement compared to the drama that was built as the chain gang ran out onto the field. – Nick Brinkerhoff
Seahawks Rivalry jerseys
The Seattle Seahawks will add an intriguing visual layer to Thursday night’s highly anticipated rematch with the Los Angeles Rams as they become the penultimate team to debut their Nike ‘Rivalries’ uniforms this season.
Get ready for the ‘High Decibel Zone’ look.
‘(T)here’s something about rivalries − going back to when you were a kid − it brings out the best in everybody. Because that one game can make your season,” former Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu said when the new threads were first unveiled in August. – Nate Davis
What channel is Seahawks vs. Rams Thursday Night Football on tonight?
- TV channel (national): N/A
- TV channel (Seattle market): KCPQ (Fox 13)
- TV channel (Los Angeles market): KCOP (Fox 11)
The Seahawks vs. Rams matchup will not air on TV, as it will be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Viewers in the local markets can watch via Fox.
Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime
Is Davante Adams playing tonight?
Adams will not play tonight vs. the Seahawks.
Adams, 32, aggravated an existing issue during the fourth quarter of Los Angeles’ Week 15 game against the Detroit Lions. The veteran wideout was tracking a deep ball from quarterback Matthew Stafford when he pulled up short and fell to the ground. Rams trainers helped Adams off of the field after tending to him moments after the play.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Dec. 15 that Adams’ status is considered ‘week-to-week’ and that he would ‘almost certainly’ miss the game against the Seahawks on Dec. 18.
On Dec. 17, the Rams officially listed Adams as doubtful.
Rams inactives vs. Seahawks
Davante Adams will not play vs. the Seahawks tonight as he nurses a hamstring injury. Here’s the rest of the list:
- Ahkello Witherspoon, CB
- Stetson Bennett IV, QB
- Davante Adams, WR
- Jarquez Hunter, RB
- Beaux Limmer, OL
- Nick Hampton, OLB
Seahawks inactives vs. Rams
Seattle will be without starting left tackle Charles Cross tonight vs. a ferocious LA pass rush. Here’s the rest of the inactives:
- Jalen Milroe, QB (E3QB)
- Jake Bobo, WR
- Jared Ivey, LB
- Charles Cross, T
- Bryce Cabeldue, G
- Mason Richman, OL
- Brandon Pili, NT
When do the NFL playoffs start?
- Dates: Jan. 10-12, 2026
This year’s playoffs will start with a three-day wild-card round slate. Two games will take place on Saturday, Jan. 10; two more on Sunday, Jan. 11; and the wild-card round will conclude with a single game on Monday, Jan. 12.
Rams have travel issues ahead of TNF
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Rams’ scheduled flight to Seattle ahead of a Week 16 meeting with the Seahawks was ‘significantly delayed’ minutes before takeoff due to an issue with the plane’s equipment. Schefter wrote on social media that Los Angeles would be seeking ‘alternative travel arrangements to prevent any further delays.’
Schefter later reported that the Rams found a new flight to Seattle, with players and coaches scheduled to leave at 5:25 p.m. PT – around two hours after their originally scheduled departure – and the remaining Los Angeles personnel flying out later on another plane.
What time is the Seahawks vs. Rams game tonight?
- Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CT | 5:15 p.m. PT
The Seahawks and Rams are scheduled to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET. Los Angeles travels to Lumen Field in Seattle to take on their division rivals.
Seahawks vs. Rams stream
- Stream: Amazon Prime Video | Fubo (local market)
Amazon Prime Video will air the Seahawks-Rams ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup. Those in local TV markets can watch the matchup on Fubo.
Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime
Seahawks vs. Rams prediction
The stakes are high tonight. The NFC West crown and the NFC’s No. 1 seed could potentially end up going to the winner of this game. It’s a heavyweight battle, and the Seahawks came up just short in the first meeting, losing 21-19. Despite Darnold tossing four interceptions, Seattle kept things close and this time they came out on top. Stafford will be without Davante Adams and the Seahawks defense has allowed just one touchdown and 25 points in their last three games combined. Field goals won’t get the job done. Seattle rolls to victory tonight and the Rams will eye revenge come playoffs.
Prediction: Seahawks 26, Rams 20
Seahawks vs. Rams picks, predictions
Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ NFL experts feel tonight’s game will go:
- Jarrett Bell: Rams, 26-23
- Nick Brinkerhoff: Rams, 27-23
- Chris Bumbaca: Seahawks, 16-14
- Nate Davis: Rams, 27-24
- Tyler Dragon: Rams, 24-20
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Rams, 21-16
Seahawks vs. Rams odds, moneyline, O/U
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a complete list.
- Over/Under (O/U): 44 (O: -115 | U: -105)
- Moneyline (ML): Seattle -110 (Bet $110 to win $100) | Los Angeles -110 (Bet $110 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Seattle +1 (-115) | Los Angeles-1 (-105)
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