Seahawks Host Rams in NFC Championship Clash of Titans
SEATTLE, January 25, 2026 – The NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense will square off against its most prolific offense with a trip to Super Bowl LX on the line, as the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks host the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game tonight at Lumen Field. The division rivals, who split two thrilling regular-season meetings decided by a total of three points, meet for a third time this season in what promises to be another epic showdown.
Rubber Match with Everything on the Line
This marks just the third instance in NFL history where teams that split a regular-season series with a combined margin of one point or fewer meet in a conference championship game. The Seahawks (14-3) earned home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, riding an eight-game winning streak that includes a dominant 41-6 divisional round victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams (12-5) arrive in Seattle after surviving consecutive nail-biters against the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears to reach this stage. The stakes are simple: the winner advances to face the AFC champion in Super Bowl LX on February 8 in Santa Clara.
Key Facts & Matchup Analysis
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| When & Where | Sunday, January 25, 2026, 6:30 PM ET at Lumen Field, Seattle, WA (FOX) |
| Regular Season Series | Split 1-1. Rams won 21-19 in Week 11. Seahawks won 38-37 in OT in Week 16. |
| Key Storyline | #1 Scoring Offense (Rams, 30.5 PPG) vs. #1 Scoring Defense (Seahawks, 17.2 PPG allowed). |
| Betting Line | Seahawks favored by 2.5 points. Over/Under total points: 46.5. |
| Critical Injury | Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet (knee) is OUT for the season. Rams LB Byron Young (knee) and CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (shoulder) are QUESTIONABLE. |
| Quarterback Edge | Experience favors Rams’ Matthew Stafford (MVP candidate, 7 playoff wins) over Seahawks’ Sam Darnold (NFL leader with 20 giveaways in 2025). |
Seahawks’ Path: Defense and the Run Game
Seattle’s identity under head coach Mike Macdonald is built around a suffocating, schematically diverse defense that led the league in fewest points allowed. The unit generates pressure without heavy blitzing and has been historically stingy. The offense will now lean heavily on running back Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 116 yards and three scores last week, following the season-ending knee injury to backfield mate Zach Charbonnet. How Walker handles an increased workload and whether quarterback Sam Darnold can protect the football against a Rams defense that intercepted him six times in two regular-season meetings will be pivotal.
Rams’ Path: Stafford’s Arm and Redemption
Los Angeles, led by head coach Sean McVay, boasts the NFL’s most potent offense, orchestrated by quarterback Matthew Stafford. In the Week 16 overtime loss in Seattle, Stafford threw for 457 yards and three touchdowns, primarily targeting star receiver Puka Nacua (12 rec, 225 yds, 2 TD). The Rams will be looking for redemption after blowing a 16-point fourth-quarter lead in that game. Their path to victory relies on Stafford exploiting matchups against Seattle’s secondary and their defense continuing its trend of forcing turnovers from Darnold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the Rams vs. Seahawks NFC Championship Game?
The game kicks off at 6:30 PM Eastern Time (3:30 PM Pacific) on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
What channel is the game on?
The NFC Championship will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
Who is favored to win?
The Seattle Seahawks are currently 2.5-point favorites playing at home, according to most sportsbooks.
What is the biggest injury concern?
The most significant loss is Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet, who is out for the playoffs with a knee injury. His short-yardage and goal-line production must be replaced by Kenneth Walker III and others.
How have these teams fared against each other recently?
The series has been incredibly even. The Rams hold a 2-0 all-time playoff record against the Seahawks, but the teams have split the last four meetings overall, with the home team winning each of the last seven matchups.