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2026 NFC Championship (#5) LAR vs. (#1) SEA Preview:
Which team will represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX?

January 22, 2026 by Marc Jerbs

The NFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 25, 2026, sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. This highly anticipated clash features two of the NFL's elite teams and longtime NFC West rivals. The series is deadlocked this season, with Los Angeles edging Seattle 21–19 in Week 11 and the Seahawks responding with a dramatic 38–37 overtime victory in Week 16. With the season series tied, this decisive rubber match will determine who advances to Super Bowl LX.

Team Performance Overview

This NFC Championship highlights a classic contrast in strengths. The Rams enter with the league's top-scoring offense, while the Seahawks counter with the NFL's best scoring defense. Historically, matchups between the league's No. 1 scoring offense and No. 1 scoring defense have been evenly split, with each side winning 17 of 34 all-time meetings.

Rams Offensive Firepower - Los Angeles leads the NFL in points per game and total yards per game, powered by the league's top-ranked passing attack at 261 yards per contest. Their rushing offense ranks 16th, averaging 126 yards per game. In two meetings with Seattle this season, the Rams exceeded their season averages, posting 293 passing yards and 129 rushing yards per game - clear evidence of their offensive ceiling against this defense.

Seahawks Defensive Excellence - Seattle's defense has been dominant throughout the season, ranking first in scoring defense at just 17.2 points allowed per game. They also sit atop the league in passing yards allowed and rank sixth against the run. Advanced metrics reinforce their dominance, as the Seahawks lead the NFL in defensive DVOA after adjusting for opponent and game situation. They allow a league-low 3.7 yards per carry and the second-fewest yards per play at 5.1. Seattle has also generated consistent pressure, producing a 40.1% quarterback pressure rate—third-best in the NFL - though they failed to record a sack against Matthew Stafford in either regular-season meeting.

Seahawks Offensive Output - Seattle's offense complements its defense, ranking third in scoring at 28.4 points per game and placing inside the top 10 in both passing and rushing yards. Jaxon Smith-Njigba headlines the unit, leading the NFL with nearly 1,800 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Against the Rams, the Seahawks averaged 145 rushing yards and 259 passing yards per game, surpassing their season averages through the air.

Los Angeles vs. Seattle Sports Bet Odds

The top-seed Seahawks are the favorites to win the 2026 NFC Championship. Here are our latest odds:

• The Seahawks are favored by 2.5 points, with a money line of -150.
• The Rams are the underdogs by 2.5 points, with a money line of +130.
• The Total is set at 47 points, with the over at -110 and the under at -110.

Key Injuries and Player Watch

Injuries could heavily influence the outcome of this championship matchup.

Seahawks Injury Report

• Sam Darnold (QB): Listed as questionable with an oblique injury suffered last week, Darnold was limited in practice but expressed optimism about his condition. His recent usage has varied, throwing just 17 passes last week compared to 44 and 34 attempts in his two games against the Rams. Darnold's efficiency drops sharply under pressure, with a passer rating nearly 40 points lower and 2.8 fewer yards per attempt when pressured.
• Zach Charbonnet (RB): Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL in the Divisional Round and is out for the remainder of the postseason, placing added responsibility on Kenneth Walker III.
• Charles Cross (LT): Cross missed practice due to a foot injury after recently returning from a three-game absence and exiting the Divisional Round early.
• Josh Jones (T): Jones is questionable with knee and ankle issues after being inactive last week, despite starting three games during Cross's absence.

Rams Injury Report

Los Angeles appears healthier overall entering the title game.

• Byron Young (LB): Questionable with knee soreness and would have missed Wednesday's session if not for a walkthrough.
• Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (CB): Questionable with a shoulder injury.
• Rob Havenstein (OT): Eligible to return from injured reserve after dealing with an ankle injury.
• Quentin Lake (S): Missed practice due to illness.

Key Matchups and Storylines

Matthew Stafford vs. Seattle's Defense - Stafford's performances against Seattle this season have varied wildly, from a season-low 130 passing yards in a narrow win to a season-high 457 yards in an overtime loss. He has been far more effective against man coverage than zone, and Seattle adjusted its coverage approach significantly between their two meetings. Given the Seahawks' recent success with zone-heavy, split-safety looks, a similar defensive strategy could be deployed again.

Seahawks Tackling vs. Rams Run Game - Tackling efficiency proved decisive in earlier matchups. In Week 11, Seattle posted a season-worst missed tackle rate of 31.8%, allowing 4.4 yards after contact per carry. By Week 16, that figure dropped to 10.3%, with just 2.4 yards allowed after contact. Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua thrived in the first meeting, but Los Angeles needed volume carries to generate production in the rematch.

Sam Darnold: Play-Action vs. Pressure - Darnold has thrived when using play-action, posting elite efficiency metrics compared to a sharp decline on standard dropbacks. The Rams' defense has struggled against play-action throughout the season, allowing the fourth-highest success rate in the league. Pressuring Darnold and disrupting Seattle's play-action rhythm will be critical for Los Angeles.

Kenneth Walker III's Explosive Ability - With Charbonnet sidelined, Kenneth Walker III becomes the focal point of Seattle's ground game. His 14.9% explosive run rate ranks second in the NFL among high-volume rushers. Walker torched the Rams in Week 16 with 164 scrimmage yards on just 14 touches, including a 55-yard touchdown run. Although Los Angeles generally limits big plays on the ground, Walker's explosiveness could tilt the game.

Final Thought

The NFC Championship clash between the Seahawks and Rams brings together elite units, divisional familiarity, and unpredictable conditions. The outcome may ultimately hinge on Seattle's ability to contain Matthew Stafford and whether Sam Darnold can manage his injury while maximizing play-action efficiency in difficult weather. With Zach Charbonnet sidelined, Kenneth Walker III's explosiveness could prove decisive in determining who punches their ticket to Super Bowl LX.

2025-26 Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks Postseason Season Team Stats

LOS ANGELES RAMS	VS	SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
5th NFC (12-5) Away (5-4) | STRK W1	Standings	1st NFC (14-3) Home (8-1) STRK W7
262.0	Passing Yards Per Game	106.0
113.5	Rushing Yards Per Game	175.0
27.0	Points Per Game	41.0
253.5	Passing Yards Allowed Per Game	128.0
146.0	Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game	108.0

2026 AFC Divisional Playoffs Buffalo vs. Denver Preview:
Can the Bills subdue the Broncos again?

January 15, 2026 by Marc Jerbs

The Buffalo Bills are set to visit the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday, January 17, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado... read more »

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