The most brutal stretch of the NFC Championship Game lasted just 14 seconds.
Late in the fourth quarter, we all witnessed two of the most heart-wrenching, head-hanging, heart-stopping plays of the 2025 NFL season.
A beautiful pass breakup turned a fourth-and-12 into a first down and immediately led to a 34-yard touchdown pass to Puka Nacua to cut the Los Angeles Rams’ deficit to four points.
advertise
It’s the latest taunting penalty from Rick Woolen. Incredible moment. Especially considering it’s been a while since Woolen cost the team a game, it feels like the team might actually be heading in this direction.
Fortunately, the Seattle Seahawks were better in the next three games and came out victorious. But your blood pressure may still be recovering.
After the game, Woolen apologized, and fans were largely in his camp.
The reaction was largely supportive, no doubt fueled by the endorphins of the upcoming Super Bowl. McDonald also backed up his cornerback, saying Woolen “played great” but that he “made an emotional decision.” McDonald went on to talk about bouncing back from turnovers, and Woolen played well the rest of the way.
advertise
It was a dark day when the league directed NFL officials to throw that flag for no better reason than to effectively “not stop.”
It’s a horrific sequence and the moment when Woolen is tagged is unbelievable just thenbut I hate this emphasis on the league. I experienced firsthand the vitriol from Seattle fans when I defended Woolen on this site, but I find myself forced to do so again.
Short of using a prohibited gesture, acting aggressively toward an individual player, or saying something explicitly prohibited, it’s a useless, stupid, and unpleasant penalty at the worst possible moment in these teams’ most important game of the season.
advertise
Woolen did have a good game, but he also expressed regret. You decide what to do with it.