Moments after clinching a Super Bowl berth, Sam Darnold strolled over for his obligatory television interview. He was thrilled; the Seahawks had just toppled the Rams in a 31-27 thriller. But he was also measured. Unlike receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who would follow and was teeming with emotion, Darnold simply spoke about his love for his team-mates. And when asked about his improbable journey, he replied, “I haven’t really thought about it that much.”
He may not have, but the rest of us have. And whether Darnold likes it or not, his comeback story will be the prevailing storyline of Super Bowl 60. How can it not, especially after the quarterback saved what may have been the best performance of his life for Seattle’s third, and most important, tilt with the Rams this season.
He completed 25 of his 36 passing attempts for 346 passing yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers, but those stats are just one part of the story. It was Darnold’s decision-making under pressure, lack of mistakes, and execution of Klint Kubiak’s aggressive play calls that are a key reason Seattle will be playing for the Lombardi Trophy. Per NextGenStats, Darnold was the first NFL quarterback to throw three touchdowns under pressure in a playoff game. In his previous two meetings with the Rams this season, Darnold had thrown zero touchdowns and three interceptions under pressure. That contrast is a microcosm of Darnold’s career.
In two weeks, Darnold will not only take the field as a startin
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