Mike Macdonald reveals Sam Darnold 'barely practiced' leading into NFC Championship

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald revealed Sam Darnold barely practiced leading up to the NFC Championship Game. The veteran QB then turned in one of the best performances of his career battling an oblique injury.

Darnold’s been dealing with the nagging pain all playoffs, but he was at his best in a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Now, he and Seattle are headed to Super Bowl LX.

Had Darnold been unable to go, or had to come out, backup Drew Lock was on deck. But with the way Darnold dealt the football on Sunday, it looked like there was no pain at all.

“Three hundred and something yards, three touchdowns, no picks,” Macdonald said of Darnold. “Every time they went and scored again, he came back. He had some big-time throws on third down, two-minute drive, four-minute drive. The guy barely practiced all week. Just really happy for him. he deserves it. He’s been a rock for us all year.”

In the win, Darnold went 25-of-36 passing for 346 yards and three touchdowns. After flopping for the Minnesota Vikings in a game for the No. 1 seed and a playoff game back to back weeks last season, Darnold turned it all around.

“It should go down as one of the best performances in playoff history,” Macdonald said. Certainly in Seahawks history right, to echo the head coach.

Darnold didn’t want to make anything about himself, repeating what he’s done all year. He credited his Seahawks’ teammates for this historic season.

“Just a total complete team win,” Darnold said. “Special teams stepping up on the muffed punt; Dareke recovering that was huge for us especially going into the half. And then getting the ball back. You know, our defense just playing lights out. That fourth down they hit, I think it was fourth and four, something like that. Just an incredible stop by our guys. So like I said, complete team win. Very proud of this group.”

It’s fair to assume Darnold will deal with his oblique injury leading up to the Super Bowl. But with two weeks to prepare for the New England Patriots, and with the way he’s played to this point, he might just be at his best trying to deliver a second Lombardi to Seattle.