Seahawks And Rams Set For High-Stakes NFC Showdown

The NFC West has proven itself as the NFL’s powerhouse division this season, and now it all comes down to a high-stakes rubber match: the Seattle Seahawks hosting the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC Championship at Lumen Field on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Fans are already buzzing about the third clash between these fierce rivals, with a trip to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara hanging in the balance. It’s the kind of matchup that gets the whole league talking—and for good reason.

The road to this conference title game couldn’t have been more dramatic for either team. The Rams punched their ticket with a gritty 20-17 overtime win against the Chicago Bears at a snowy Soldier Field. Kyren Williams was the hero for Los Angeles, scoring both of the Rams’ touchdowns, while rookie kicker Harrison Mevis sealed the deal with a clutch 42-yard field goal in overtime. "We just kept fighting. That’s what this team does," Williams told reporters after the game, echoing the resilience that’s defined the Rams’ season.

On the other side, the Seahawks made a statement of their own, absolutely dismantling the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 in front of a raucous home crowd. Kenneth Walker III ran wild, racking up 115 yards and three touchdowns, while Seattle’s defense completely stifled Christian McCaffrey, holding him to just 35 rushing yards and 39 receiving yards. The win was so dominant that Seahawks fans were already looking ahead to the NFC title clash before the final whistle blew.

Now, these two teams, both riding waves of momentum, prepare for their third meeting of the season. The regular season series was split, with each squad defending home turf in thrilling fashion. The Rams took the first contest in Week 11, eking out a 21-19 victory after Seattle’s Jason Myers missed a 61-yard field goal as time expired. Despite Sam Darnold throwing four interceptions, the Seahawks nearly snatched victory away, a testament to the razor-thin margin separating these rivals.

But if that first game was tight, the rematch in Week 16 was an instant classic. The Rams jumped out to a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter, only for Seattle to mount a furious comeback. Rashid Shaheed electrified the stadium with a 58-yard punt return touchdown, and Darnold redeemed himself with a 4-yard scoring pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Darnold then found Eric Saubert for a walk-off two-point conversion in overtime, sealing a 38-37 win that had fans and analysts alike calling it one of the best games of the year. "We never stopped believing," Darnold said after that thriller. "That’s who we are."

This Sunday’s showdown marks the third playoff meeting between the Seahawks and Rams, and history favors Los Angeles—they’ve won both previous postseason clashes, including a 30-20 victory at Lumen Field in the 2020 wild-card round and a 27-20 triumph in 2004. But this time, the Seahawks enter as the NFC’s top seed and are slight favorites, opening at -2.5 on BetMGM and -150 on the moneyline. The over/under is set around 47.5 points, reflecting the offensive fireworks these teams have produced all season.

There’s no shortage of storylines heading into this heavyweight bout. The Rams boast the league’s most explosive offense, averaging 30.5 points per game during the regular season, with Matthew Stafford orchestrating the attack and Williams providing a dynamic ground threat. But Seattle counters with the NFL’s stingiest defense, allowing just 17.2 points per contest. It’s the classic unstoppable force meeting the immovable object—a recipe for playoff drama.

Both teams have recent championship pedigree. Seattle is making its first NFC title game appearance since the 2014 campaign, when they last reached—and won—the Super Bowl. The Seahawks are 3-1 all-time in conference championship games, undefeated in NFC title matchups. The Rams, meanwhile, are seeking their third Super Bowl berth in eight seasons, having last claimed the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVI just four years ago. Los Angeles has won its last four conference championship games, a streak dating back to their St. Louis days.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: the winner advances to face either the Denver Broncos or the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on February 8. With both teams loaded with talent and confidence, the atmosphere at Lumen Field is expected to be electric. And while the Rams won’t have to contend with Chicago’s frigid weather again, the Seattle forecast calls for a chance of rain—potentially adding another wrinkle to this already unpredictable matchup.

Fans can catch all the action live on FOX, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. Eastern (3:30 p.m. Pacific). For those on the go, radio coverage will be available on Seattle Sports 710 AM and KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM, as well as streaming on the Seattle Sports app and FUBO.

Oddsmakers may give the Seahawks a slight edge, but if this season’s meetings are any indication, expect another nail-biter. The home team has won each clash so far, and both games were decided by the slimmest of margins—a missed field goal here, a two-point conversion there. The betting line reflects that uncertainty, with the Seahawks favored by as little as 1.5 points at some sportsbooks, and the over/under hovering between 47.5 and 48.5 points.

For the Seahawks, the formula for success has been a balanced attack and suffocating defense. Head coach Mike Macdonald praised his team’s effort after their rout of the 49ers, saying, "We played a complete game in all three phases. That’s what it takes at this stage." If Walker can replicate his divisional round heroics and the defense continues to clamp down, Seattle could be heading back to the big dance for the first time in over a decade.

The Rams, meanwhile, have thrived under pressure all season. Whether it’s Stafford’s poise in the pocket, Williams’ nose for the end zone, or Mevis’ nerves of steel, Los Angeles has found ways to win when it matters most. Head coach Sean McVay summed it up after the Bears victory: "This group never quits. We’ve been tested all year, and we’re ready for whatever comes next."

With division pride, a Super Bowl berth, and recent playoff history all on the line, Sunday’s NFC Championship promises fireworks. Will the Seahawks’ defense hold strong against the Rams’ high-octane offense? Or will Los Angeles continue its postseason mastery of Seattle? One thing’s for sure—fans won’t want to miss a single snap of what’s shaping up to be an instant classic.

As the countdown to kickoff continues, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch in both cities. The NFC West has delivered all season, and now its two titans will battle for the ultimate prize—a ticket to Super Bowl LX. Rain or shine, Lumen Field is set to host a showdown worthy of the league’s brightest stage.