The Seattle Seahawks took one step closer to getting to the Super Bowl on Saturday, as they were able to easily dispatch the division rival San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field in front of their avid fanbase.
Despite all the uncertainty about Sam Darnold‘s status heading into this Divisional Round showdown with the 49ers, the veteran quarterback was able to suit up and play, helping the team rack up 41 points against San Francisco.
Cooper Kupp Reacts to Sam Darnold’s Performance vs. 49ers
GettySam Darnold #14 and Cooper Kupp #10 of the Seattle Seahawks
After the 35-point blowout against their division rivals, star wide receiver Cooper Kupp spoke to the media and talked about the uncertainty surrounding Darnold playing in this playoff game in Seattle.
“I mean, I figured he was going to find a way to be out there,” Kupp said of Darnold. “It’s hard to tell, you don’t know, without him throwing, but he was out there at the walkthrough on Saturday, like, he was told not to throw, but he was out there pump-faking. Everyone was like, ‘dude, stop. Just please don’t do anything stupid.’ But, I figured with him pump faking as much as he was, he had to be feeling OK.”
Even though Darnold only threw 17 passes in this playoff game, Kupp was impressed with what he saw from the USC product, whom he referred to as the “same Sam that he’s always been,” as the veteran was able to get the job done to help the team advance to the NFC Championship Game.
“Yeah, there were quite a throws I thought that he made that were man, he’s letting it rip,” Kupp said of Darnold. “I had little concern on one of those, he took a sack on one of those keepers, and he got up a little slowly, but man, he just fought through. He was consistent. He was the same Sam that he’s always been, just leading the huddle, being a steady, leading force for us. He made some unbelievable throws. The one he threw to the left, to Jaxon in the end zone, those are unbelievable throws that he was making today.”
Now the attention turns to the NFC Championship Game, where the Seahawks will face either the Los Angeles Rams or the Chicago Bears.
Sam Darnold Opens Up About Winning First Playoff Game
GettySam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks
The win over the 49ers was the first playoff victory of Darnold’s career, and he couldn’t be happier about coming out on top in Seattle.
“It’s huge. I don’t take it for granted whatsoever,” Darnold said. “It’s just a special group. I think that’s the biggest thing, and that’s why it means so much. Just the way those guys are in the locker room, ever since I got here. They were tight before I got here, obviously, but just the way that they took me in as one of their own. And that’s what’s so special about this league in general. You make so many great relationships throughout this whole process. And that locker room and these coaches, you know, just the way that we play together. That’s the reason why I play this game, and they’ve made it really easy for me to come in here ever since I did in April to be able to help lead this team and drive the ball down the field, score touchdowns, all those things.”
Seahawks Star Cooper Kupp Delivers Honest Message on Sam Darnold After 49ers Win