Seahawks Host Rams in NFC Championship Amid Transit, Security Plans and Darnold Recovery
Updated (3 articles)
Game scheduled for Jan. 25 at Lumen Field with 3:30 p.m. kickoff on FOX Seattle will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. local time, with national broadcast on FOX. The Seahawks entered as the No. 1 NFC seed after a 14‑3 regular season, while the Rams finished 14‑5 under coach Sean McVay. BetMGM lists Seattle as 2.5‑point favorites heading into the title game[3][1].
Seahawks and Rams earned championship spots with dominant divisional wins Seattle advanced after a 41‑6 rout of the injury‑ridden San Francisco 49ers, highlighted by Sam Darnold’s 12‑of‑17 passing performance[3]. Los Angeles reached the game by defeating the Chicago Bears in a blustery playoff contest, marking the team’s 12th conference‑title appearance and fourth straight title‑game victory[3]. Both clubs have shown offensive firepower, with the Rams led by MVP‑finalist quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Seahawks relying on Darnold’s resurgence[2].
Regular‑season series split, five straight games decided by one score The teams met three times this season, each winning at home; the Rams won the November meeting 21‑19, while Seattle claimed a 38‑37 overtime win on Dec. 18, becoming the first NFL team to win on a two‑point conversion in overtime[2][1]. Overall, the rivalry has produced five consecutive contests decided by a single point, underscoring the tight competition heading into the championship[1].
Quarterback Sam Darnold cleared for limited practice after oblique injury Darnold reported feeling “really good” following an oblique strain sustained before the divisional round and completed 12 of 17 passes in the 49ers win[1]. Coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Darnold’s health is improving but limited his practice schedule this week to protect him for the championship[1]. Meanwhile, Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet remains sidelined with a knee injury that ended his playoff run[2].
Transit, congestion and security plans aim to manage 70,000 fans Seattle officials urge fans to use public transit because Interstate 5 construction has reduced northbound lanes, increasing bus traffic and congestion from a midday Kraken hockey game[1]. Approximately 70,000 spectators are expected, prompting heightened police presence, support from other agencies, and a Washington State Patrol DUI‑emphasis campaign after a recent rise in impaired‑driving arrests[1].
Sources
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1.
King5: Seahawks‑Rams NFC Championship at Lumen Field set with transit plan and security measures: details game logistics, public‑transit urging, expected crowd size, and police/DUI initiatives for Jan. 23 2026.
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2.
King5: Seahawks vs. Rams: NFC Championship Decides Super Bowl Spot: emphasizes player storylines such as Leonard Williams’ comments, Matthew Stafford’s MVP talk, Charbonnet’s injury, and Adams/Kupp narratives for Jan. 22 2026.
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3.
King5: Seahawks host Rams in NFC Championship on Jan 25 with Seattle favored: provides betting odds, historical conference‑title context, regular‑season split, and playoff paths for Jan. 19 2026.
Timeline
2018 – The tradition of raising the “12” flag before NFC Championship games pauses after longtime Seahawks owner Paul Allen dies, leaving the flag‑raising role uncertain for future title games[2].
2020 – The NFL expands the playoff field to 14 teams, limiting first‑round byes to a single No. 1 seed per conference; No. 1 seeds post‑expansion post a 9‑3 record in divisional games, and only the 2022 Chiefs win a Super Bowl as a top seed[3].
Nov 2025 – The Rams defeat the Seahawks 21‑19 in their first regular‑season meeting, intercepting Sam Darnold four times, setting the tone for a tightly contested rivalry[1].
Dec 18, 2025 – Seattle rallies from a 16‑point fourth‑quarter deficit to beat Los Angeles 38‑37 in overtime, becoming the first NFL team to win on an overtime two‑point conversion and tying the season series 1‑1[1][3].
Jan 2026 (regular season concluded) – The Seahawks finish the season 14‑3, clinching the top NFC seed, while the Rams post a 14‑5 record and secure their 12th conference‑title appearance under Sean McVay[3].
Early Jan 2026 – In the divisional round, Seattle’s Sam Darnold throws for 124 yards and a touchdown in a 41‑6 rout of the 49ers, but is pulled in the fourth quarter after aggravating an oblique injury; coach Mike Macdonald says Darnold will not practice fully before the championship[2].
Early Jan 2026 – Running back Zach Charbonnet suffers a knee injury during the 41‑6 win and is ruled out for the rest of the playoffs, ending a season with 12 rushing touchdowns and 730 yards, second only to Kenneth Walker III[1].
Early Jan 2026 – The Rams defeat the Chicago Bears in a blustery playoff game to reach the NFC Championship, marking their third title‑game appearance under McVay and extending their recent streak of four straight conference‑title victories[3].
Jan 19, 2026 – Officials announce the NFC Championship will be played Jan 25 at 3:30 p.m. on FOX at Lumen Field, with Seattle favored by 2.5 points; the game will decide the Super Bowl participant[3].
Jan 22, 2026 – Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams says he “was just expecting it to happen this way,” praising his unit’s confidence and the division’s strength; Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, a 2025 MVP finalist, stresses that the team “operates as normal” despite external pressure[1].
Jan 22, 2026 – Rams wide receiver Davante Adams declares he is “trying to win an NFC title for the first time in five tries,” while former Ram Cooper Kupp, now with Seattle, records five catches for 60 yards in the divisional‑round win[1].
Jan 23, 2026 – Seattle and state officials urge 70,000 fans to use public transit for the Jan 25 game because I‑5 construction limits lanes; police and the Washington State Patrol increase presence and launch a DUI‑emphasis campaign after a recent rise in impaired‑driving arrests[2].
Jan 25, 2026 – The NFC Championship pits the top‑seed Seahawks against the Rams at Lumen Field, with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff, FOX broadcast, and heightened security; the winner advances to the Super Bowl, concluding a season defined by narrow, high‑stakes matchups[3][2].