NFL Week 16 picks include Chargers, Eagles, Panthers
Lorenzo Reyes explained why he chose the two underdogs from Sunday’s match.
SEATTLE – The Seattle Seahawks won one of the biggest home games in recent memory with a 38-37 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams in a game that staked its claim as one of the best games of the 2025 NFL season.
On Thursday Night Football on Dec. 18, the Rams took control in the first half, and Seattle trailed 13-7 at halftime.
Things looked bleak for the Seahawks in the fourth quarter. Sam Darnold had just thrown his second interception and the Rams held a 30-14 lead. Things quickly changed when Rashid Shahid punted and raced down the field for a 58-yard touchdown. The Seahawks made a two-point try on the ensuing play, closing the gap to 30-22. Seattle then scored on its next drive, making a wild two-point conversion on official review to tie the game at 30-30 with 6:23 left in the fourth period.
A mix-up between both teams’ defenses halted the remainder of the fourth quarter, sending the game to OT.
In overtime, the Rams took the lead on Puka Nacua’s 41-yard touchdown reception.
The Seahawks responded when wide receiver Jackson Smith-Njiba caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Darnold in the back of the end zone. Seattle completed the two-point conversion with a catch by tight end Eric Saubert to end the game.
After Los Angeles defeated the Seahawks at SoFi Stadium in Week 11, the Seahawks got some revenge this week. Seattle won the game and took sole possession of first place in the NFC West.
USA TODAY Sports weighed in on the NFC West primetime battle. Here are the winners and losers of the Week 16 contest.
winner
Rashid Shahid
Things were looking bad for the Seahawks. Darnold had just thrown his second interception and the Rams were leading by two points. Things quickly changed when Shahid decided to punt.
Shahid caught the ball and ran down the field for a 58-yard punt return touchdown. The Seahawks made a two-point try on the ensuing play, closing the gap to 30-22.
Shahid had a 31-yard run on Seattle’s next possession. Seattle scored touchdowns on the next two plays and tied the game with a two-point conversion.
Puka Nakua’s on-field performance
Nacua has made some negative headlines off the field this week. Hours before the game, he apologized for performing an anti-Semitic dance during a live video broadcast. He also criticized NFL referees during the same livestream with internet streamers Adin Ross and N3on.
It would probably be a good idea for Nacua not to do another livestream with these two streamers.
But on the field, Nacua had a great night.
The Rams wideout silenced the Seattle crowd with a 58-yard catch and run down the middle of the field late in the third quarter.
Nacua caught a 1-yard touchdown on a fast slant to cap off the drive.
In overtime, Nacua caught a 41-yard touchdown.
Nacua had a career-high 225 receiving yards on 12 catches. He reached the end zone twice.
Kenneth Walker III
The Seahawks running back gained 164 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. strong.
Rams CB Josh Wallace
Wallace recorded his first career interception. The Rams cornerback stepped in front of Sam Darnold’s pass aimed at wideout Rashid Shahid. Wallace intercepted it and returned it to Seattle’s 1-yard line.
The Rams found themselves in the end zone one play later on a run by running back Blake Collum.
Seahawks 4th quarter defense
Seattle came back to tie the score, but the Seahawks’ defense forced the Rams into three consecutive 3-and-outs in the fourth quarter. This was the largest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise history.
NFC West
What’s the best division in football? The NFC West entered this week as the only football division with three teams with double-digit wins (Rams, Seahawks, 49ers). Both the Seahawks and Rams are in the playoffs.
loser
Rams special teams, 4th quarter defense
The Rams’ punt return unit allowed Rashid Shahid a 58-yard punt return touchdown.
The defense allowed several two-point conversions, one of which was an odd backwards pass that was recovered in the end zone.
Rams 2-point conversion defense
The Rams defense allowed three two-point conversions. The worst moment came in overtime when Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert caught a pass in the middle of the end zone and scored the game-winning run.
Rams Travel Plan
The Rams’ team flight was significantly delayed due to equipment trouble with the plane. The Rams arrived in Seattle just before 9 p.m. Pacific time on Dec. 17, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the team’s trip.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TylerDragon.
