The drama extended beyond the final whistle, with Puka Nacua of the Rams firing off a laughing emoji aimed at Darnold during the late moments at Levi’s Stadium. Jones, a former Ram, quickly fired back on social media, signaling that Seattle wouldn’t overlook the taunts from an old NFC West foe.
Darnold’s contributions were pivotal in the postseason run that preceded the Super Bowl, even as he wasn’t required to be spectacular against Seattle’s defense. In the NFC title game, he avoided costly turnovers and let Kenneth Walker III’s ground game do most of the heavy lifting, while the defense continued to harass Drake Maye.
Nacua’s own impact against Seattle earlier in the season wasn’t in doubt, as he piled up 9 catches for 165 yards in the conference-title clash, including a 34-yard touchdown. However, the Patriots’ offense struggled to match Seattle’s defensive pressure, with Maye sacked six times, forced fumbles, and two interceptions, including a pick-six by Uchenna Nwosu.
Walker’s 135 rushing yards provided the foundation for Seattle’s balance, allowing Darnold to manage the game and hit key throws, such as a 16-yard TD to tight end AJ Barner in the fourth quarter. Darnold finished with 38 attempts, completing about half of them, and did not turn the ball over—an efficient performance that underscored the value of the running game and a relentless defense.
Ultimately, Darnold’s steady game management, combined with Seattle’s dominant defense and Walker’s rushing output, cemented the victory and framed the narrative: Darnold’s redemption arc reached a fitting apex as the Seahawks claimed the league’s championship spotlight, while Jones and Seattle’s D imposed their will on the Patriots when it mattered most.
