2026 NFC Championship Game: Three Key Matchups for Rams vs. Seahawks

The NFC Championship Game is quickly approaching, and I'm breaking down the key matchups for Rams vs. Seahawks prior to kickoff at Lumen Field on Sunday. What's it going to take from either side to punch their ticket to the Big Game? Both are Super Bowl odds favorites. Let's dive in.

Rams vs. Seahawks key matchups: NFC Championship Game

🐏 Matthew Stafford vs. Seahawks' vaunted secondary

Key matchup: MVP candidate Matthew Stafford vs. Devon Witherspoon and Seahawks secondary

The 2025 season was a career-defining year for Matthew Stafford. At 37, he led the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense, throwing for 4707 yards and 46 touchdowns. His primary target, Puka Nacua - who we think you should bet on for Super Bowl MVP already - rewrote the record books with an NFL-high 129 receptions.

However, they are flying directly into the teeth of Seattle's "Legion of Now" secondary. The Seahawks enter the NFC Championship with the league's No. 1 scoring defense.

• Key stat: In their Week 16 meeting, Stafford torched Seattle for 457 yards, yet the Seahawks managed to escape with a 38-37 victory. For more historical trends, make sure to dive into our Rams vs. Seahawks head-to-head history.
• The X-Factor: Can All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon limit Nacua's yards after contact, or will Stafford - who was second in the league in pass EPA - be too much to handle?  

🟢 Sam Darnold's oblique injury vs. Rams' pass rush

Key matchup: Sam Darnold vs. Byron Young and Jared Verse

Sam Darnold's continued resurgence has been a story of the 2025-26 season, eclipsing 4000 passing yards for the second consecutive year. However, Darnold is still playing through an oblique injury, and is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup. Yes, he'll be good to go after playing through the Divisional Round (he only dropped back 17 times), but one big hit from Rams sack leader Byron Young could change this game in a heartbeat. It doesn't help that his starting left tackle Charles Cross will likely miss Sunday's game. The Rams' front seven is designed to exploit exactly this kind of vulnerability.

No matter how you look at it, this is the game of the weekend, with both the Rams and Seahawks sizable favorites on the Super Bowl look-ahead odds.

• Key stat: Byron Young (12 sacks) and Jared Verse (7.5 sacks) have been relentless this season.
• X-Factor: In their November meeting, the Rams' pressure forced Darnold into a season-high four interceptions. If the Seahawks cannot protect their hobbled QB, the Rams will likely control the tempo of the game.  

⚔️ Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Kamren Kinchens: a deep ball battle

Key matchup: JSN vs. Kamren Kinchens 

With running back Zach Charbonnet officially out for the season, Seattle must lean entirely on Offensive Player of the Year finalist Jaxon Smith-Njigba. JSN's 2025 campaign was legendary, leading the NFL with 1793 receiving yards and setting a franchise record with 119 catches.

Cobie Durant will likely have the task of locking him down, but he'll have the help of Kamren Kinchens over the top. Limiting JSN's deep-ball ability will be of paramount importance for the Rams' secondary.

If Smith-Njigba gets through to the Super Bowl, he's one of five Super Bowl prop bets you should make right now, according to our Rob Paul.

• Key stat: Kinchens has evolved into one of the league's premier ball-hawks (at least against the Seahawks), recording two interceptions against Seattle earlier this season.
• X-Factor: Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak likes to use JSN in the slot to create mismatches. The Rams' ability to provide over-the-top help with Kinchens will be the difference-maker.