Riq Woolen’s stunning taunting penalty puts Rams right back into NFC Championship game

· New York Post

It’s been a disastrous second half for Seattle’s Riq Woolen, whose taunting penalty against the Rams gave Los Angeles another chance in the NFC Championship game.

After forcing a fourth-and-12 when he broke up a pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua, Woolen followed it by walking toward the Rams sideline and yelling at Stafford, leading to the costly taunting penalty well after the play was completed.

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) makes a touchdown catch past Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the second half of the NFC Championship game on Jan. 25, 2026. AP

The Rams got 15 yards and a first down, and on the next play Stafford found Nacua for a 34-yard touchdown pass — and Woolen was beaten by Nacua on the play, which helped Los Angeles cut Seattle’s lead to 31-27.

So when it seemed Seattle had the game well in control with an 11-point lead and the momentum, Woolen helped keep the Rams in the back-and-forth game.