NFL fans torch Rams returner after muffed punt leads to crucial Seahawks touchdown

Mistakes are bound to hap successful high-pressure NFL games, and connected Sunday nighttime successful the NFC Championship Game, it outgo the Los Angeles Rams astatine an unfortunate time.

The Rams were capable to marque a cardinal halt against the Seattle Seahawks aboriginal successful the 3rd 4th successful hopes of getting backmost to wrong 1 constituent oregon taking the pb connected their adjacent drive. Seahawks punter Michael Dickson kicked the shot distant with Rams returner Xavier Smith waiting for the ball.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) recovers a fumbled punt instrumentality by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith (19) during the 2nd fractional successful the 2026 NFC Championship Game astatine Lumen Field connected Jan. 25, 2026. (Kevin Ng/Imagn Images)

However, Smith misjudged the shot and fell arsenic the shot was to travel to him. He tried to drawback it connected his backmost but couldn’t propulsion it in. A Seahawks subordinate was close determination to retrieve the muffed punt.

The Seahawks scored connected the precise adjacent play with Sam Darnold hitting Jake Bobo for a touchdown. Seattle went up 24-13 aboriginal successful the 3rd quarter.

DRAKE MAYE'S CONTROVERSIAL FOURTH-DOWN PLAY SPARKS SOCIAL MEDIA FURY AS PATRIOTS HEAD TO SUPER BOWL LX

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith (19) drops a punt instrumentality during the archetypal fractional against the Seattle Seahawks successful the 2026 NFC Championship Game astatine Lumen Field connected Jan. 25, 2026. (Kevin Ng/Imagn Images)

Smith drew immense disapproval connected societal media. Smith’s turnover appeared to beryllium a telephone backmost to Kyle Williams erstwhile helium fumbled successful the 2012 NFC Championship arsenic a subordinate of the San Francisco 49ers against the New York Giants.

Luckily for Smith and the Rams, determination was plentifulness of clip near connected the clock. Rams prima Matthew Stafford led the squad down the tract and recovered Davante Adams for a touchdown. Los Angeles was inactive successful the crippled contempt Smith’s blunder.

Seattle Seahawks backmost Sam Darnold (14) passes against the Los Angeles Rams during the 2nd fractional successful the 2026 NFC Championship Game astatine Lumen Field connected Jan. 25, 2026. (Steven Bisig/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The second-year undrafted escaped cause had 27 punt returns this twelvemonth for 251 yards. He hadn’t fumbled each play but had 2 against Seattle. He recovered the 1 helium dropped earlier successful the game.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.