The tension inside Lumen Field shifted in an instant when Matthew Stafford stepped away from the Rams sideline during the second half.
In a game already tight and emotionally charged, the sudden absence of Los Angeles’ quarterback felt ominous, especially with the Rams trying to steady themselves against a late Seahawks push.
Those fears lingered until after the game, when Stafford addressed the moment head on. Asked by reporters, “What were you being evaluated for in the injury time?” he answered plainly.
“I was not being evaluated for anything,” Stafford said.
When the questioning continued and he was asked why he had entered the medical tent at such a critical juncture, the veteran quarterback smiled and offered the explanation that quickly turned worry into laughter.
“I had to use the restroom. I just didn’t want to run in,” he noted.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, Stafford took a clean hit to the ribs from a Seahawks defender, a play that did not go unnoticed in one of the league’s loudest stadiums.
With the crowd sensing momentum and the Rams clinging to control, the timing of Stafford‘s brief exit naturally fueled speculation. Instead of signaling trouble, it proved to be nothing more than a short pause in a night defined by sharp execution and relentless pressure.
Once play resumed, Stafford showed no signs of slowing. He continued to direct the Rams offense with confidence, mixing deep shots with quick decisions to keep the Seahawks defense off balance. Los Angeles set the tempo early, leaning on Stafford‘s arm to dictate the flow and force the Seahawks into a reactive posture. For much of the night, it felt like the Rams were steering the game toward a result that could reshape the division race.
That sense of control faded late. The Seahawks found answers in critical moments, erased a deficit, and forced overtime in front of a crowd that sensed opportunity. When the game finally ended, it was the Seahawks who escaped with a 38-37 victory, leaving the Rams to wrestle with a loss that carried real postseason consequences.
A loss that does little to dim Stafford’s season
Even as the final score stung, Stafford‘s performance stood as one of the most productive outings of the season by any quarterback. He finished with 457 passing yards and three touchdowns, once again keeping the ball out of harm’s way.
He did not throw an interception, marking his eighth game this season with at least three touchdown passes and zero picks. Only three other quarterbacks in league history have reached that mark.
When the Seahawks tied the game at 30 late in regulation, Stafford responded immediately, delivering a precise touchdown throw to Puka Nacua for his 37th scoring pass of the year.
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