Seattle and Rams Score: Why That Week 16 Thriller Still Matters

Football is weird. Seriously. One minute you’re looking at a 16-point deficit with nine minutes left on the clock, and the next, you’re watching a backup tight end catch a two-point conversion to end the game in overtime. That is exactly what happened when the Seattle and Rams score flashed 38-37 across the screens at Lumen Field on December 18, 2025.

It wasn't just a win for Seattle. It was a statement. A chaotic, messy, "how did that just happen" statement.

If you were tracking the Seattle and Rams score that night, you saw Sam Darnold—yes, that Sam Darnold—lead a comeback that basically broke the internet. This game wasn't just about the numbers; it was about the NFC West crown and the top seed in the conference. Most people thought Sean McVay had this one in the bag. He didn't.

The Numbers Behind the Madness

Let’s look at the cold, hard facts of the December 18 matchup. The final Seattle and Rams score was 38-37 in favor of the Seahawks. But the path to get there was a total rollercoaster.

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• First Quarter: Seattle 7, LA 3
• Second Quarter: Seattle 0, LA 10
• Third Quarter: Seattle 7, LA 10
• Fourth Quarter: Seattle 16, LA 7
• Overtime: Seattle 8, LA 7

The Rams actually led 30-14 late in the fourth. Honestly, it looked over. Matthew Stafford was carving up the secondary, and Puka Nacua was putting on a clinic with 225 receiving yards. But then, Rashid Shaheed happened. His punt return touchdown breathed life into a stadium that had gone quiet.

That Wild Two-Point Conversion

You’ve probably heard of the "Zachward Pass" by now. If not, here’s the gist: Sam Darnold threw a ball that hit Rams' defender Jared Verse in the helmet. The ball bounced backward, technically becoming a fumble. Zach Charbonnet, showing more situational awareness than most humans possess, scooped it up and ran it into the end zone.

The officials spent forever reviewing it. Ultimately, they ruled it a backward pass. Two points, Seattle. It was the kind of fluke that coaches have nightmares about.

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Why This Specific Game Changed Everything

Before this game, the Rams were sitting pretty as the No. 1 seed. They had the tiebreaker from their 21-19 win back in November. But the loss in Seattle flipped the script. It dropped the Rams all the way to the No. 5 seed, forcing them into a road playoff path.

Meanwhile, Mike Macdonald's Seahawks clinched the division. They did it without DK Metcalf (who had been traded to the Steelers earlier in the year) and with Cooper Kupp—who, in a wild twist of fate, was playing against his former team after signing a $45 million deal with Seattle in the 2025 offseason.

Key Performance Stats from December 18, 2025:

• Matthew Stafford: 29/49, 457 yards, 3 TDs.
• Sam Darnold: 4 TDs (including the OT game-winner to Jaxon Smith-Njigba).
• Puka Nacua: 12 catches, 225 yards, 2 TDs.
• Eric Saubert: 1 catch, 1 two-point conversion (The Game Winner).

The Season Series Context

To really understand the Seattle and Rams score, you have to look at the whole 2025 season. These two teams were mirror images of each other. Both finished the regular season with high-octane offenses, but Seattle had the edge in the "big moments."

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1. Week 11 (Nov 16, 2025): Rams win 21-19. The LA defense intercepted Darnold four times. It felt like the Rams had Seattle's number.
2. Week 16 (Dec 18, 2025): Seahawks win 38-37 (OT). This was the revenge game that secured the 14-3 season for Seattle.

The rivalry has always been tight. The all-time series currently stands at 29-28 in favor of Seattle. It’s one of those matchups where you can throw the records out the window.

Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts

If you're looking at these scores for betting or just to settle a debate with a buddy, keep these takeaways in mind.

First, the "Short Week" factor is real. This game was a Thursday Night Football classic. Teams often struggle with discipline on short rest, which explains why there were three successful two-point conversions in a single game. That’s an NFL record-tying performance.

Second, watch the roster shifts. The 2025 season saw massive changes. Seattle moving on from Geno Smith and Tyler Lockett seemed like a rebuild, but Sam Darnold’s $100.5 million contract actually paid off. If you’re tracking future scores, don't sleep on "bridge" quarterbacks in Macdonald’s system.

Finally, the home-field advantage at Lumen Field is officially back. After a rough 2024 where they lost four straight at home, the 2025 Seahawks turned their stadium back into a fortress.

What to do next:

• Review the 2025 play-by-play: Look specifically at the fourth-quarter clock management by Sean McVay. Critics argue he was too aggressive with his fourth-down attempts early in the game, which left points on the board.
• Watch the "Zachward Pass" highlights: It’s a masterclass in why players are taught to play through the whistle.
• Check the 2026 schedule: The next meeting is already being hyped as the game of the year. Expect the point total to be high again—the Over hit comfortably in their last meeting.