Darnold's the final day hero as Seahawks grab No.1 seed

SAM DARNOLD had to wait 12 months but when deja vu came calling, he had redemption for the worst day of his career.

- BY KEITH WEBSTER

In the final game of the regular season last year, Darnold was playing quarterback for Minnesota against Detroit, with the No.1 seeding in the playoffs up for grabs.

He blew it and a week later, Minnesota crashed out of the playoffs at the first hurdle, their Super Bowl hopes wrecked.

On Saturday night, Darnold, now calling the shots at Seattle, found himself in exactly the same situation as the Seahawks travelled down the west coast to San Francisco, beat them in the stadium that will host next month's Super Bowl, and walked away with the No.1 seeding and a bye in next week's playoff first round.

It also sees Seattle playing at home throughout the playoffs and therefore very much favourites to win it all.