- Sam Darnold delivered an efficient Divisional Round start despite an oblique issue.
- He completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards, one TD and no turnovers before exiting.
- Ryan Clark’s claim that Darnold would have a “built-in excuse” drew criticism after the performance.
Sam Darnold answers critics in key playoff outing
Sam Darnold steadied the Seattle Seahawks’ offense in the Divisional Round, answering recent criticism from analyst Ryan Clark after playing through an oblique injury in practice. Darnold finished 12 of 17 for 124 yards, one touchdown and zero turnovers before leaving late in the fourth quarter with Seattle comfortably in front.
Efficient, mistake-free football
The stat line won’t jump off the page, but Darnold did exactly what the Seahawks needed. He managed the game, protected the football and executed coordinator Klint Kubiak’s game plan. That included a beautifully placed touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba — a left-roll dart to the corner of the end zone that allowed JSN to make a toe-tap catch before going out of bounds.
The play showcased Darnold’s poise under pressure and timing on intermediate throws. For a team built around situational football and explosive playmakers, that kind of precision matters more than gaudy yardage totals.
Ryan Clark’s comment and the reaction
Earlier this week, former NFL safety and current analyst Ryan Clark suggested Seattle could claim a “built-in excuse” for Darnold if he played poorly because of his reported oblique issue. After Saturday’s game, that line drew attention as many viewed Darnold’s performance as a direct rebuttal to Clark’s take.
Rather than relying on excuses, Darnold played within the offense and helped build a big lead — Seattle was up 41-6 when he exited in the fourth. The lack of turnovers and the touchdown to JSN gave the Seahawks the footing they needed to advance.
What’s next for Seattle and Darnold?
The Seahawks now move on to the NFC Championship game, where Darnold may need to carry a larger load depending on the opponent. Questions about his ability to deliver bigger passing totals are reasonable — they would be for any quarterback — but Saturday’s result reduces the noise around his readiness to lead a playoff push.
For now, Darnold has answered doubters with a composed, effective performance. Whether he will need to do more in the next game remains to be seen, but Seattle’s offense showed it can win with him at the controls.
Bottom line
Sam Darnold’s Divisional Round showing gave the Seahawks a reliable performance when it mattered and undercut Ryan Clark’s earlier criticism. The Seahawks are moving forward, and Darnold has a clearer claim to lead this offense deeper into the postseason.
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