One sequence from the Seattle Seahawks’ NFC Championship win Sunday over the Los Angeles Rams just avoided living in infamy.
Seahawks beat Rams | Instant Reaction | Box score
The Seahawks’ defense was set to come off the field after cornerback Riq Woolen broke up a Matthew Stafford pass intended for star wide receiver Puka Nucua, forcing the Rams into fourth-and-12 with Seattle up 31-20 late in the third quarter.
While the Rams were getting ready to punt, Woolen celebrated his play by sharing some words with the LA sideline.
It proved to be a disastrous decision. A referee was witness to Woolen’s words, and it drew a flag that cost the Seahawks 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct – meaning the Rams were gifted a first down for Woolen’s taunting.
Ouch.
Tariq Woolen was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and gave the Rams an automatic first down.
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/U69DDnlOnJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 26, 2026
On the very next play, Stafford went right at Woolen, finding Nacua for a 34-yard touchdown that brought the Rams back within four points. It was a tough swing, as the Seahawks’ offense otherwise would have had a chance to make it a three-possession game had it not been for Woolen’s penalty.
The penalty didn’t seem to sit well with at least one of Woolen’s teammates, as he and rookie defensive back Nick Emmanwori were shown on the FOX broadcast being separated after they exchanged words on the sideline.
An exchange between Seahawks players on the sideline after the taunting penalty on 4th down led to a Rams TD. pic.twitter.com/cc9oSvSAU2
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 26, 2026
Luckily for the Seahawks, the defense – Woolen included – was able to stand strong with a scoreless fourth quarter that included a stop on fourth down in the red zone with just under 5 minutes remaining. Seattle’s offense then drove the clock down to just 25 seconds, which was only enough time for the Rams to run two more plays that proved to be ultimately futile as the Seahawks escaped and starting making plans for a trip to the Super Bowl in two weeks.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald addressed Woolen’s penalty after the game, showing support for the fourth-year corner.
“Riq’s done a tremendous job for us,” Macdonald said. “And yeah, you’re frustrated in the moment about what’s happening, but he just made an emotional decision. But we gotta pick him up. That’s not the time to get upset. You gotta go play the next play. I know they scored the next play and you gotta go rebound and go back. And Riq came back and played well the rest of the game. It literally is like 12 as one, you know, keeping each other up.”
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• Seahawks’ ‘Dark Side’ defense has its legacy moment
• Turning Points: The plays that won Seahawks the NFC Championship
• On to the Super Bowl! Seattle Seahawks win NFC title
• Seahawks chair Jody Allen raises 12 Flag for NFC Championship
