When Sam Darnold dropped back for the final time with 32 seconds left, the roar from the Seattle Seahawks sideline wasn’t just relief—it was triumph. The quarterback, who’d been booed in some quarters just months ago, threw for exactly 244 yards and two touchdowns to lead his team to a 30-24 comeback win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, November 23, 2025Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The victory didn’t just improve Seattle’s record to 8-3; it locked in the Seattle Seahawks as the first wild-card team in the NFC playoffs. And it came after a season-defining stretch: five wins in six games, following their first road loss of the year.
From Trailing to Dominating: The 23-Point Surge
The game began with a jolt. The Titans, playing in front of a home crowd hungry for momentum, struck first with a field goal. But Seattle didn’t flinch. By halftime, they’d turned a 3-0 deficit into a 16-3 lead—thanks entirely to Jason Myers’s three field goals. No touchdowns. No fireworks. Just cold, methodical execution. But the real explosion came after the break.On the first play of the third quarter, Sam Darnold launched a 56-yard bomb to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who outran two defenders down the left sideline. Two plays later, he found Smith-Njigba again—this time for a 13-yard touchdown. The Seahawks were up 23-3. The crowd fell silent. The Titans’ offense, already the league’s worst, looked lost.
Titans’ Spark: Dike’s Lightning and Ward’s Grit
Then came Chimere Dike. The Titans’ all-purpose yards leader—already the NFL’s top returner—caught a punt at his own 10-yard line and exploded up the right sideline. No one touched him. 90 yards. Touchdown. The stadium erupted. It was Dike’s second punt return TD of the season, and it gave Tennessee life.But the real story was Cam Ward, the Titans’ rookie QB. Dubbed by CBS Sports as the NFL’s most-sacked quarterback, Ward responded with poise. He finished with 256 yards and, with 3:12 left in the third, scrambled in for his first career rushing touchdown. Suddenly, it was 23-10. The Titans’ offense, long a punchline, had scored 10 points in under six minutes.
Defense Holds the Line
Seattle’s defense, tied for fourth in the NFL in sacks entering the game, delivered again. Four more sacks, including one by Derick Hall on third-and-8 from the Seattle 21, forced a turnover on downs with 6:11 left. The Seahawks’ front seven didn’t just pressure Ward—they disrupted his rhythm. He was hit 12 times total. The Seahawks’ defensive line, led by Derek Barnett and Bobby Wagner (who didn’t record a sack but anchored the middle), made sure the Titans never got comfortable.Even when the Titans finally got within striking distance—Ward found Dike on a 1-yard slant with 43 seconds left to make it 30-24—Seattle had an answer. The onside kick? Dorian Mausi got his hand on it before it traveled 10 yards. Game over. No drama. No miracle.
Why This Win Matters
This wasn’t just about playoff positioning. It was about identity. The Seahawks, after a shaky start and a loss in Atlanta, have found their rhythm. Darnold, once considered a trade candidate, is now playing with confidence. Smith-Njigba, with 11 catches for 168 yards and two TDs in this game, is emerging as the offense’s true weapon. And Charbonnet’s 6-yard TD run with 6:40 left sealed the deal—Seattle’s offense finally finished drives in the red zone, something they’d struggled with all season.For the Titans, it was a moral victory. They scored a season-high 24 points. But they’re still 4-7. They’re still last in the NFL in scoring. They’re still without a true offensive identity. Dike’s return was electric. Ward showed flashes. But they lack the consistency to compete in a stacked AFC South. This loss doesn’t kill their playoff hopes—but it makes them a long shot.
What’s Next?
Seattle’s next two games are against the 49ers and Rams—both division rivals with playoff dreams. If they win one, they could lock up a top-four seed. Darnold’s performance Sunday proved he’s not just a placeholder—he’s a leader. Meanwhile, the Titans face the Jaguars and Colts. They need a miracle. And they need it fast.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sam Darnold’s performance compare to his previous games this season?
Darnold’s 244 yards and two touchdowns were his best outing since Week 5 against the Panthers. He had thrown just one touchdown in his previous three games and was averaging under 200 yards per game. This performance marked his first multi-TD game since October 6 and silenced critics who questioned his ability to carry the offense in high-leverage moments.
Why was Jaxon Smith-Njigba so effective against Tennessee’s defense?
Smith-Njigba exploited Tennessee’s zone coverage with sharp route breaks and quick releases off the line. The Titans’ secondary, missing starting cornerback Cameron Sutton due to injury, relied heavily on rookie Jevon Holland, who was outmatched in speed and physicality. Smith-Njigba’s 56-yard catch was the longest reception allowed by Tennessee all season.
What does this win mean for the Seahawks’ playoff seeding?
With the win, Seattle improved to 8-3 and now leads the NFC wild-card race by 1.5 games over the 49ers and Lions. A win in either of their next two games against division rivals would likely clinch a top-four seed, avoiding a road playoff game in the first round. Their remaining schedule is tougher than most, but they’ve now proven they can win close games on the road.
How did the Titans’ offense manage 24 points despite being the league’s worst scoring team?
The 24 points came from two explosive plays: Chimere Dike’s 90-yard punt return and a 1-yard TD pass to him in the final minute. The rest of their offense managed just 127 total yards in the first three quarters. Their 24 points were the most they’d scored since Week 1, but it was still the lowest average per game (15.8) in the NFL. They remain one of only two teams without a 30-point game this season.
Was this game a turning point for Cam Ward’s future with the Titans?
It might be. Ward’s 256 yards and first rushing TD showed he can move the ball under pressure. But he was sacked six times and threw two interceptions earlier in the season. The Titans still haven’t committed to him as their long-term starter. His performance Sunday gave them something to consider—but with a 4-7 record and a brutal schedule ahead, they may still look to draft a QB in April.
How did Seattle’s road record improve their playoff chances?
The Seahawks are now 5-1 on the road—the best record in the NFC among teams with at least eight wins. Playoff seeding often favors teams that win away from home, especially in a weak NFC West. Their ability to win in hostile environments like Nashville, Atlanta, and New Orleans gives them a significant edge over wild-card rivals like the Lions and 49ers, who are just 2-3 on the road.
