Rams vs Seahawks Predictions, Odds & Expert Picks for NFC Championship Game for Sunday, 01/25/26

With only 3 games left in the NFL season, we will do our best not to regurgitate the same data points and factoids that have built up all year. By this point, you know who these teams are.

That doesn’t change the fact that the NFC championship game is wildly intriguing for many reasons. Los Angeles and Seattle are 2 of the biggest rivals in the NFL, neck and neck at the top of the NFC West for the last 4 months. Sunday will mark their 3rd meeting this season. The mutual familiarity certainly makes handicapping it a tougher gig. In short, there won’t be many (if any) surprises for the athletes or coaches that could provide an edge for prospective bettors. For example, the Rams have seen the nuances and vigor of the Seattle defense, as the Seahawks have seen the explosive, dynamic qualities of the high-octane Los Angeles offense. Neither will be caught off guard.

And if we add up some of the statistics from their previous 2 games this season, you’ll find they performed remarkably similar:

• Yards — Rams: 830, Seahawks: 829
• Points — Rams: 58, Seahawks: 57
• Time of Possession — Rams: 62:44, Seahawks: 63:63
• Plays — Rams: 138, Seahawks: 142

There is, however, a very clear edge at quarterback. Sam Darnold has completed 2 consecutive exceptional seasons as the thrower of 2 separate offenses. With the Vikings and Seahawks, he’s lost just 6 regular-season games the last 2 years. That’s extremely impressive. But the playoffs are a different story.

Darnold wasn’t needed much last Saturday, since the Seahawks’ special teams and defense created an immediate 17-0 lead. He threw the ball just 17 times, completing 12 of his passes for a humble 124 yards. Markets responded positively because they had no other choice, but that doesn’t mean last Saturday meant anything to determine Darnold’s playoff poise (or lack thereof). 

In his only other playoff game as a professional quarterback, he was awful. Even more compelling, the loss was against the very same Rams. A budding defense that’s matured and shown more consistency this season (10th in total defensive EPA), the Rams rattled Darnold last January, forcing him into 9 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. We’d argue he had better offensive talent in Minnesota (although his 2024 Minnesota squad and this year’s Seahawks offense are both 15th in total EPA), too. 

Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay have been here before. As good as Seattle’s defense is, the Rams went up and down the field and gained 581 yards in Lumen Field just 1 month ago. Stafford has been unstoppable this season, which is why he’s the odds-on favorite (-450 at FanDuel) to win his first NFL MVP award. Seattle’s defense is scary good and their home-field advantage is real, but the Rams have championship experience and we know that they’re clutch in big moments. Darnold still needs to prove it.

Rams vs Seahawks best bet: Rams ML (+125) available at time of publishing. Playable to +100.

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