The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams in a high-scoring shootout, setting up a Super Bowl rematch with the New England Patriots.
On Sunday in Seattle, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold defeated Rams counterback Matthew Stafford in a thrilling 31-27 victory to win the NFC Championship, which also serves as an NFL playoff semifinal.
The win gives Seattle a repeat of their epic 2015 Super Bowl against the Patriots, who were caught in a blizzard early Sunday morning and defeated the Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship.
The Seahawks’ win was the latest milestone in a fairytale season for Darnold. Darnold has bounced back this season in Seattle after a rocky start to his career.
“It’s amazing to be able to do this in this locker room, with this coaching staff, with these players. It means the world to me,” said Darnold, who played for four different clubs before arriving in Seattle last year.
The 28-year-old finished Sunday’s Classic with three touchdowns, 346 passing yards and no interceptions.
Darnold’s exciting slugging game with Stafford essentially tipped the ball in Seattle’s favor when the Rams completed a late drive to the Seahawks’ 6-yard line.
“We came here with the expectation of winning,” Rams manager Sean McVay said after the game.
“It was a great back-and-forth game between two great teams, but some big mistakes ended up costing us… There are no shortage of words, but that’s just the way it is right now. It’s tough, but this is a sport and you have to be able to deal with it.”
Meanwhile, Seattle was preparing for a Super Bowl game against the Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., on Feb. 8, 11 years after losing to New England in the NFL’s marquee game in 2015 during the Tom Brady era.
Patriots tame Broncos in snowstorm
The Patriots are looking to win a record seventh Super Bowl following a tight-scoring victory in Colorado.
The AFC title game, which also served as the playoff semifinal, was played under harsh conditions as a storm hit the venue and the field was gradually covered in snow.
New England quarterback Drake Maye held firm after a shaky start, rushing for a first-half touchdown before leading the Patriots upfield for a decisive field goal.
“We battled the weather,” May said.
“Throwing the football isn’t great in these situations. But you’re doing what you have to do…We’re off to the Super Bowl. Let’s go!”
Re-emerging after the Tom Brady era
This victory solidified the Patriots’ remarkable comeback.
After the dominant era of the Brady dynasty that brought six Super Bowl championships, New England has endured a painful rebuild.
But under new head coach Mike Vrabel, they were a revelation this season, making it through the tough AFC East for the first time since 2019.
“I’m very happy for my former teammate Mike Vrabel,” said Brady, who now works as a commentator for FOX TV.
“When we went to New England, nobody really knew what was going to happen after four and 13 seasons in a row, but they turned it into a road AFC win in Denver. I know how difficult that is.”
The Patriots, who have already appeared in the Super Bowl with 11, will be making their 12th appearance on American football’s biggest stage, giving them a chance to compete for a record seventh Lombardi trophy.
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls with Brady with the Patriots, becomes the first player and coach of the same team to win sports’ highest award.
“I’m not going to win. The players are going to win the game, I promise you that,” Vrabel said.
