Seahawks Suffer Narrow Loss to Rams, 21-19

The Seattle Seahawks suffered a narrow loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, falling 21 to 19 in a tightly contested NFC West battle. Quarterback Sam Darnold faced heavy scrutiny for his performance, throwing four interceptions during the game, marking his first four-pick outing since 2019. Despite these setbacks, Darnold managed to keep the Seahawks competitive, finishing with 279 yards on 29 completions out of 44 attempts, although he did not find the end zone. According to the Oregonian, Darnold's mistakes were not solely to blame for the loss, as linebacker Ernest Jones IV defended him passionately, stating, "Sam's been balling, right?" Jones emphasized that the entire team, including the defense, had opportunities to perform better and that the loss should not be pinned solely on Darnold.

The Seahawks outgained the Rams 414 to 249 in total yards but struggled to convert in the red zone, managing only one touchdown in four trips inside the 20. Darnold's performance included critical mistakes, particularly on his fourth interception, which came under pressure in Rams territory, leading to a touchdown that extended the Rams' lead to 21-12. Darnold acknowledged the need to protect the football, stating, "I gotta not turn the ball over. It's as simple as that."

The Seattle Times reported that the Seahawks had a chance to take sole possession of the NFC West with a win, but their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities ultimately cost them the game. Darnold's first interception occurred early in the first quarter, leading to a Rams touchdown, and his second pick came just as the Seahawks were trying to mount a comeback in the third quarter. The Rams capitalized on Darnold's mistakes with effective scoring, as Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes, and Kyren Williams contributed significantly with a rushing touchdown.

The Seahawks managed to rally in the fourth quarter, culminating in a touchdown drive that cut the Rams' lead to two points. However, Darnold's last-minute efforts stalled, and kicker Jason Myers missed a 61-yard field goal attempt that would have secured a victory for Seattle. As Pro Football Talk noted, the narrative surrounding Darnold continues to focus on his consistency in high-stakes situations, with critics pointing to this game as another example of his struggles in critical moments. Coach Mike Macdonald expressed support for Darnold, telling him to "keep ripping it, man," indicating the team's continued faith in their quarterback despite the setbacks.

As the Seahawks look ahead, they are set to face a schedule filled with winnable games, but Darnold's performance will be a focal point as they aim to solidify their playoff positioning in the competitive NFC West. The loss highlighted the razor-thin margins at the top of the NFL, demonstrating that while the Seahawks have potential, they must limit turnovers and improve their execution in critical situations to succeed going forward.