The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are battling it out in the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field in Seattle on January 25, 2026. Both teams with strong regular seasons behind them—Seattle at 14-3 and the Rams at 12-5—are trading touchdowns early, keeping the score even as they fight for a spot in Super Bowl 60.
Background
This matchup marks the third time these NFC West rivals have met this season. The Rams took the first game at home in Week 11, winning 21-19 after the Seahawks missed a field goal at the buzzer. Seattle got revenge in Week 16 at home, pulling out a 38-37 win in overtime on a late drive and two-point conversion. Those games set the stage for this do-or-die contest.
The Seahawks earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC with their 14-3 record, topping the division with the league's best scoring defense. They allowed just six touchdowns since Thanksgiving, though four came in that wild Week 16 loss to the Rams. Seattle's quarterback Sam Darnold has surprised many with a strong comeback year, leading the team through two road playoff wins to reach this point.
The Rams, sitting at 12-5, have the top offense in the NFL, averaging high points per game. Matthew Stafford, who won a Super Bowl with them before, is back under center, guiding the team with key plays in recent playoff victories. Their running game, led by Kyren Williams, has kept drives alive, and receivers like Puka Nacua have burned defenses.
Both teams know each other's weaknesses well from the regular-season splits. Seattle's defense aims to repeat its Week 16 success, where Stafford threw three touchdown passes but couldn't stop the final Seahawks push. The Rams, meanwhile, want to control the clock and exploit Seattle's secondary.
Key Details
The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET, with Seattle hosting due to its top seed. Early action saw both offenses moving the ball but no points until turnovers changed the momentum.
Early Turnovers and Scores
Seattle forced a three-and-out on the Rams' first drive, then marched downfield. Darnold connected with receivers to set up a score, putting the Seahawks up 7-0 after the game's opening drives. But the Rams answered quickly. Kyren Williams caught a 9-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 7-7.
Defenses made plays too. Rams defensive end Braden Fiske fought through blockers for an 8-yard sack on Darnold, disrupting a Seahawks drive. Seattle's unit stepped up with a muffed punt recovery in the red zone. From there, Darnold hit Jake Bobo for a touchdown, swinging momentum back.
Stats from the early going show a balanced battle. Kyren Williams had a 4-yard rush for the Rams, and Jordan Whittington returned a kick 25 yards. No fumbles lost yet, and defenses holding firm with tackles but no interceptions.
The first quarter ended scoreless on the board despite the action, sitting at 13:45 in the first with 4th and 3 for one team. Both quarterbacks—Stafford and Darnold—have completed passes but faced pressure. Seattle's rush game is grinding yards, while LA leans on short passes.
"We're going to play aggressive, not reckless, and live with the result," Rams coach Sean McVay said before the game.
Rams running back Kyren Williams has been key, catching that touchdown and rushing for yards. Seahawks players like Jake Bobo stepped up on special teams and scoring plays. The crowd at Lumen Field is loud, giving Seattle an edge in this hostile environment.
Season Context
Seattle finished the regular season with a .824 winning percentage, outscoring opponents 483-292. The Rams were close behind at .706, with 518 points scored and 346 allowed. Both beat out San Francisco (12-5) in the division race. Playoff paths differed: Seahawks with home dominance, Rams winning nail-biters on the road.
What This Means
A win here sends one team to Super Bowl 60, their first appearance in years. For the Rams, it would be Stafford's second trip with LA, building on past success. Seattle reaching the Super Bowl would cap Darnold's revival season and validate their defensive rebuild.
The loser ends a strong year without the ultimate prize. This game tests road warriors versus home fortress—Rams have won two playoffs away, Seahawks unbeaten at Lumen in key spots. Whichever team controls the line of scrimmage and forces turnovers late will advance.
Fans watching see a preview of NFC West parity, with three close games already. The winner faces the AFC champion in two weeks, carrying momentum from this slugfest. Players on both sides know every drive counts, with the clock ticking toward a potential classic.
