So far in the NFC Championship, the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams are going back and forth. This game is reaching the expectations many had, and with both teams fighting for the Super Bowl, it can only get better from here.
The Seahawks have a small lead in the fourth quarter, and one questionable penalty is the reason why Seattle is not winning by more.
NFL World Reacts to Massive Mistake by Seahawks DB Riq Woolen
At the end of the third quarter, with about 2 minutes left, the Seahawks stopped the Rams on third down… but a flag was thrown. It turns out, Seattle’s DB Riq Woolen was called for taunting, which is a 15-yard penalty, and gave the Rams another chance to score. After that play, Woolen then gave up a deep touchdown to Puka Nakua.
After this string of horrible events for Woolen, the NFL World reacted, and some questioned the original taunting call:
Warren Sharp questioned, “What is Woolen doing????”
what is Woolen doing????
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 26, 2026
NFL analyst Louis Riddick said:
Woolen has so much freakin’ natural skill, but then this….🤦🏾♂️
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) January 26, 2026
Former NFL safety Ryan Clark explained, “Riq can not do that!! Too big a moment and too big a game. Come right back and give up a big play. Totally asinine.”
Riq can not do that!! Too big a moment and too big a game. Come right back and give up a big play. Totally asinine.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 26, 2026
“Taunting penalties are so dumb.” Said NFL analyst Jordan Schultz.
Taunting penalties are so dumb.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 26, 2026
NFL reporter Albert Breer stated, “I can’t stand that taunting call.”
I can’t stand that taunting call.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 26, 2026
Former NFL QB Chase Daniel also questioned, “Taunting?????”
Taunting?????
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) January 26, 2026
John Middlekauff vocalized, “This is pro sports not little league. wtf are we doing:
This is pro sports not little league. wtf are we doing
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) January 26, 2026
Dov Kleiman declared:
Tariq Woolen with the DUMBEST play of the year.
Woolen gets a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct and gives the Rams a 1st down on a 4th and 12…
Moronic 🤦♂️pic.twitter.com/r2DDD78Bw3
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 26, 2026
Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons vocalized, “Some s**t just can’t happen!! Just a huge momentum shift that wasn’t necessary at all!”
NFL Writer Dave commented:
All-time moment for Riq Woolen. He taunted the Rams and Matthew Stafford, which helped them convert a 4th and 11.
Then on the very next play Stafford went right at him and he gave up a TD.
Absolutely diabolical.
pic.twitter.com/PG7HHA4HrN— Dave (@davebfr) January 26, 2026
After the touchdown, there were also some arguments 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
If the Seahawks do lose this game, this will be a string of plays that many will look at as the difference. If they win, everyone will forget about Woolen’s mistake.
However, given the magnitude of the situation, many did not like the refs’ decision to penalize Woolen for taunting. Throughout the season, there have been various instances in which soft decisions on taunting have gone against players, and hopefully, the league will introduce changes to address the issue.
