Sam Darnold leads Seahawks to Super Bowl 2026 matchup with Patriots after thrilling NFC Championship win over Rams

· New York Post

When he was drafted No. 3 overall eight years ago, Jets fans dreamed of seeing Sam Darnold in the Super Bowl.

He finally got there — as far away from the Jets as he could be.

Darnold sliced up the Rams defense and propelled the Seahawks to a Super Bowl 2026 date with the Patriots with a 31-27 win at home in a thrilling NFC Championship game on Sunday.

The Seahawks and Patriots will square off on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold reacts after a touchdown in the first quarter of the NFC Championship game on Jan. 25, 2026. Getty Images
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) makes a touchdown catch during the second half of the NFC Championship on Jan. 25, 2026. AP

This marks the Seahawks’ first Super Bowl appearance in 11 years; they lost to Tom Brady’s Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX a year after Seattle crushed the Broncos.

The 28-year-old Darnold, who has been battling an oblique injury over the last couple of weeks, went 25-for-36 with 346 yards, three touchdowns and zero turnovers