US EditionSam Darnold Clears Air on Offense's Struggles After Seahawks Clinch #1 Seed
Seahawks secured the NFC West and top playoff seed by emphasizing defense and running game, with Darnold minimizing turnovers despite previous offensive struggles.
- At Levi's Stadium on Jan. 3, 2026, the Seahawks defeated the 49ers 13-3, with Darnold completing 20 of 26 passes for 198 yards.
- By prioritizing the run game, the Seahawks offense emphasized timely passes and handing the ball to running backs, with Sam Darnold emphasizing calm pocket work and progressions.
- Seahawks defense limited the 49ers' offense while controlling the clock with a time of possession of 37:48, and Sam Darnold said it was `a total team effort tonight`.
- The victory gives Seattle a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs, creating a path to return to Levi's Stadium for Super Bowl LX in five weeks.
- Despite the Pro Bowl nod, Darnold committed an NFL-high 20 turnovers and his past late-season struggles with Minnesota and the Los Angeles Rams fuel questions about his big-game ability, though teammates praise his leadership.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Sam Darnold’s fiancée takes in Seahawks’ thrilling title-clinching win: ‘And to all a good night’
Moments after the Seahawks capped off their regular season Saturday with an NFC West title and the top seed in the playoffs, Sam Darnold's fiancée, Katie Hoofnagle, took to her Instagram Stories to re-live the thrilling scene.
Commentary: Seahawks proved yet again that Sam Darnold doubters are missing the point
SEATTLE – With 4 minutes, 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter Saturday, cameras cut to a fan holding a sign over the railing at Levi’s Stadium. While the Seahawks unfurled a 16-play, 94-yard, eight-minute march to emphatically finish the San Francisco 49ers, this sign told some of the story:
Sam Darnold Clears Air on Offense's Struggles After Seahawks Clinch #1 Seed
The Seattle Seahawks’ dominant win over the San Francisco 49ers has now pushed their record to a massive 14-3. While it helped them secure their top position in the NFC West, a first seed is also confirmed for the team. However, despite the unmatched status, their quarterback, Sam Darnold, still sees areas of improvement in his own game. While he expressed pride in the overall offensive unit, the 28-year-old didn’t back down from accepting his o…
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