• Sam Darnold played efficiently in Seattle’s Divisional Round win over the 49ers despite an oblique issue.
  • Pundit Ryan Clark suggested Darnold would have a “built-in excuse” if he struggled; Darnold delivered 12/17, 124 yards, 1 TD and 0 turnovers.
  • Darnold left late in the fourth quarter with the Seahawks leading 41-6 but had already executed the game plan.
  • Seattle advances toward the NFC Championship with renewed confidence in its QB play.

Darnold answers critics in decisive showing

Sam Darnold entered the Seahawks’ Divisional Round game under a cloud: an oblique injury in practice and public criticism from TV analyst Ryan Clark, who suggested Seattle would have an excuse if Darnold played poorly. On the field, Darnold did exactly what the Seahawks needed.

He completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards, tossed a touchdown and protected the ball with zero turnovers. Darnold exited in the fourth quarter with Seattle leading 41-6, having managed the game and delivered when called upon.

Key moment: the TD to Jaxon Smith-Njigba

The touchdown was a standout play. Darnold rolled left under pressure and threw a precise dart to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the corner of the end zone. The pass allowed JSN to make a toe-drag catch while staying in bounds — a high-skill connection that underscored Darnold’s accuracy and timing.

That sequence captured the night’s theme: Darnold didn’t need gaudy yardage totals. He executed offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s game plan efficiently, avoided mistakes, and kept the offense on schedule.

What Ryan Clark said — and why it matters

Ryan Clark had suggested that Darnold and the Seahawks would have a “built-in excuse” if the quarterback struggled because of the oblique issue. Pundits often frame narratives before games; when a player answers them with performance, those narratives shift.

Darnold’s night didn’t erase every doubt about his ceiling in a major game, but it did neutralize the immediate talking point. He showed he can manage a playoff game, take the designed shots and keep the offense humming.

Looking ahead: NFC title implications

Seattle moves on toward the NFC Championship, waiting to learn whether it will face the Chicago Bears or the Los Angeles Rams. If Darnold is called upon for a bigger workload in the next round, this performance gives the Seahawks and their fans reason for optimism.

Darnold’s efficiency, ball security and the chemistry with playmakers like JSN are tangible positives for a team aiming for a deep playoff run. For now, his Divisional Round outing is evidence that some pregame criticism was premature.

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