Quick Read
- The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship game on January 25, 2026.
- The Seahawks will now advance to the Super Bowl to face the New England Patriots.
- Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.
- Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold led a high-powered offense that combined for 875 total yards with the Rams.
- Seattle is a 5-point favorite against the Patriots in the Super Bowl, with a roughly 70 percent chance of winning.
SEATTLE (Azat TV) – The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in a thrilling NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on Sunday, January 25, 2026, securing their spot in the Super Bowl and ending the Rams’ 2025 season. The high-stakes contest saw both teams combine for 875 total yards of offense, with Seattle ultimately prevailing in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final seconds.
The victory sends the Seahawks to the league’s pinnacle event, where they are set to face the New England Patriots. For the Rams, despite a valiant effort led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, costly defensive and special teams miscues proved insurmountable, leaving them just short of a Super Bowl appearance.
A Championship Thriller Unfolds
The game began with the Seahawks establishing an early lead. After a Rams’ three-and-out, Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold connected with Shaheed for a 51-yard gain, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Kenneth Walker III to make it 7-0. The Rams responded with a 44-yard field goal after Stafford found Puka Nacua for a long gain, narrowing the score to 7-3.
Seattle extended its lead with a 27-yard field goal, pushing the score to 10-3. Los Angeles countered, with Stafford being sacked on a critical third down, forcing them to settle for a 50-yard field goal, bringing the score to 10-6. The Rams then took their first lead of the game, 13-10, on a nine-yard passing touchdown from Stafford to running back Kyren Williams with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. However, Darnold quickly led the Seahawks downfield, connecting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 14-yard touchdown pass to regain the lead, 17-13, just before halftime.
Key Performances and Turning Points
The second half continued the scoring barrage. A muffed fair catch by Rams returner Xavier Smith on a Seahawks punt set up a 17-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Jake Bobo, extending Seattle’s lead to 24-13. The Rams quickly answered with a three-play, 79-yard drive, capped by a two-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to wide receiver Davante Adams, making it 24-20.
Seattle responded with a methodical drive, culminating in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Cooper Kupp, pushing their lead to 31-20. The Rams, however, refused to yield. A crucial turning point came when a taunting penalty against Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen extended a Rams drive that was on the verge of punting. On the very next play, Stafford fired a 34-yard touchdown pass to Nacua, pulling the Rams back within four points, 31-27, with 2:06 left in the third quarter. Officials upheld the call upon further video review, as reported by The Rams.
Matthew Stafford finished the game 22 of 35 passing for 374 yards and three touchdowns. Puka Nacua was a standout with nine receptions for 165 yards and one touchdown, while Davante Adams added four receptions for 89 yards and a score. For the Seahawks, Sam Darnold’s efficient play and key connections, alongside Kenneth Walker III’s ground game, powered their offense.
Rams’ Final Push Falls Short
In the fourth quarter, the Rams had opportunities but failed to convert. A turnover on downs inside Seattle territory with just under five minutes left proved costly. Getting the ball back, the Seahawks methodically drained the clock, forcing the Rams to use their remaining timeouts through crucial third-down conversions and a defensive holding penalty against Los Angeles.
Although the Rams eventually forced a punt, they regained possession at their own 7-yard line with only 25 seconds left and no timeouts, trailing by four. Stafford completed a 21-yard pass to Nacua, moving the ball to midfield, but the clock expired as Nacua landed in bounds, sealing the Seahawks’ victory and ending the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes, as detailed by The New York Times.
Looking Ahead to the Super Bowl
The Seahawks’ hard-fought victory marks their advancement to the Super Bowl, where they are favored to win. According to BetMGM, Seattle is a 5-point favorite against the New England Patriots, with associated -235 moneyline odds giving them roughly a 70 percent chance of winning the championship. This NFC Championship game, described as an ‘epic’ shootout, lived up to the intense rivalry between these two NFC West foes, who split their regular-season series in two incredibly close games, including a 38-37 overtime thriller on December 18, as noted by The Seahawks.
The intensity of this NFC Championship game, characterized by its high scoring and dramatic swings, underscores the fine margins that often decide playoff football, where a single penalty or a crucial special teams play can shift the momentum and ultimately determine a team’s fate.