In the electric atmosphere of Lumen Field on January 25, 2026, the Seattle Seahawks etched their name into NFL lore once more, defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in a gripping NFC Championship Game that delivered every element of playoff drama: explosive offense, clutch defense, controversial moments, and a quarterback redemption story for the ages. This victory propelled Seattle to Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium, marking their first Super Bowl appearance since 2014 and setting up a rematch of the iconic Super Bowl XLIX from over a decade earlier.
The stakes could not have been higher for this NFC West rivalry clash, the third meeting between the teams in the 2025 season. The Seahawks had finished the regular season at 14-3, securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a dominant campaign under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald and the resurgent arm of quarterback Sam Darnold. The Rams, at 12-5, had clawed their way through the playoffs with veteran savvy from Matthew Stafford and a potent receiving corps led by Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Regular-season splits—Los Angeles winning 21-19 in Week 11 and Seattle prevailing 38-37 in overtime in December—made this rubber match feel inevitable and intensely personal.
Seattle struck early, capitalizing on strong special teams play and Darnold’s precision. The opening drive was a statement: methodical, mistake-free, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who broke free from coverage for the score. Smith-Njigba, the young star who led the league in receiving yards during the regular season, finished with 10 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown, proving once again why he has become Darnold’s most reliable target. A Jason Myers field goal extended the lead to 10-3 by the end of the first quarter, as Seattle’s balanced attack kept the Rams’ defense guessing.
Los Angeles answered with Stafford’s trademark arm strength, connecting on deep shots to Nacua and Adams for a field goal that trimmed the deficit. The second quarter saw the scoring accelerate. The Rams briefly tied the game before Darnold orchestrated a lightning-quick drive in the final minute of the half. With just 54 seconds remaining, he hit Cooper Kupp—facing his former team—for a crucial first down, then found tight end AJ Barner in the end zone as time expired. The Seahawks carried a 17-13 lead into halftime, fueled by the roaring 12s crowd that sensed momentum shifting permanently.
The third quarter exploded with big plays. A muffed punt by Rams returner Xavier Smith gifted Seattle prime field position, and Darnold capitalized immediately, lofting a perfect 17-yard touchdown to Jake Bobo to push the lead to 24-13. Later in the quarter, another sharp connection to Kupp extended the advantage to 31-20. Darnold’s performance was masterful: 25-of-36 for 346 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, with a passer rating of 127.8. Next Gen Stats highlighted his poise under pressure, where he went 5-of-11 but gained 102 yards on those completions, showcasing growth from earlier career critiques about pocket presence.
Yet the Rams refused to surrender. Stafford, completing 22-of-35 for 374 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers, engineered a furious rally. A late taunting penalty on Seattle gave Los Angeles new life, leading to a touchdown catch by Puka Nacua that cut the deficit to four points. With under five minutes left, the Rams had the ball and a realistic shot at the lead. The Seahawks’ vaunted “Dark Side” defense—known for its ferocity throughout the season—delivered in the clutch.
On a pivotal fourth-down play deep in their territory, the unit forced an incompletion, sealing the victory as Seattle ran out the clock amid erupting celebrations and falling confetti.
Postgame, the praise for Darnold poured in. Head coach Mike Macdonald beamed, “He just shut a lot of people up tonight.” Darnold’s journey—from early struggles with the Jets, a strong 2024 resurgence in Minnesota where he led the Vikings to 14 wins, to this triumphant debut season in Seattle—has captivated the football world. His regular-season numbers (4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, 14 interceptions) were impressive, but his playoff poise elevated him further.
In the divisional round, he had already dominated the 49ers 41-6, and now in the NFC title game, he became the first quarterback in modern NFL history to win 30 or more games across two seasons with different teams, validating the Seahawks’ bold investment.
For the Rams, the defeat was heartbreaking. Stafford’s near-flawless outing earned universal acclaim, but critical errors—like the muffed punt and questionable late-game decisions—proved costly. Sean McVay faced questions about timeouts and play-calling, while stars like Nacua (nine catches for 165 yards and a touchdown) and Adams shone brightly but couldn’t overcome Seattle’s balance. The loss ended a strong season for Los Angeles, but the sting of falling short in the conference title game lingered.
This triumph returns the Seahawks to the Super Bowl pinnacle for the first time in over a decade, when they last lifted the Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl XLVIII. Facing the Patriots—who advanced past the Denver Broncos in a gritty 10-7 AFC Championship win in snowy conditions—the matchup revives memories of Super Bowl XLIX, where New England edged Seattle 28-24 on Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception. Early betting lines opened with Seattle as favorites, ranging from -3.5 to -5, reflecting their offensive firepower and home-field momentum throughout the playoffs.
The game will be remembered not merely for the final score but for its intensity and narrative depth. From Darnold’s opening-drive touchdown to the defense’s late stand, it captured the essence of championship football: resilience, redemption, and raw emotion. As the Seahawks prepare for the grandest stage, one truth stands clear—Sam Darnold has silenced doubters, and Seattle stands ready to chase another title. The two-week buildup to Super Bowl LX promises intrigue, analysis, and anticipation, but for that unforgettable Sunday in Seattle, the Seahawks proved they are back among the NFL’s elite, one thrilling victory at a time.
