There is no doubt that the NFC West was the best division in football, considering they were the only one with three teams recording double-digit wins. However, it was the two battles between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks that really left us craving a third – and our dreams will be answered on Sunday.
These two perennial contenders delivered a pair of games that were as close as they come, splitting the series at one apiece with a combined one-point differential and a mere one-yard gap in total offense. The Rams edged out 58 points to the Seahawks’ 57 across both contests, while putting up 830 yards to Seattle’s 829.
While Sean McVay has built his legacy on offense and Mike Macdonald specializing defensively, they have surrounded themselves with the best coaches and rosters in the NFL. It’s no surprise their assistants are amongst the names up for remaining head coaching vacancies.
Now, as the postseason heats up, these two masterminds are set to collide once more in the NFC Championship on Sunday at Lumen Field. With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the familiarity bred from their regular-season duels adds numerous layers of intrigue.
Dissecting the Defensive Dominance in Game One
The first matchup (Week 11) at SoFi Stadium set the tone for what would become a pair of classics. With both teams coming in on respective four-game winning streaks, the Rams pulled out the 21-19 win at home.
LA’s defense stole the spotlight by picking off Seattle QB Sam Darnold four times in the game. Rams QB Matthew Stafford managed the game efficiently by throwing two touchdowns, but he only finished the game with 130 yards through the air. WR Puka Nacua led the team with seven catches for 75 yards while fellow WR Davante Adams was held to one catch for one yard, but it was a touchdown.
For the Seahawks, WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba (9-105-0) and TE AJ Barner (10-70-0) had big days, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Darnold’s disastrous day.
Offensive Explosions and Comeback Drama in Game Two
The Week 16 matchup between the Rams and Seahawks may have been one of the greatest games ever played. Compared to the defensive battle we saw in the previous meeting, this whole thing got flipped on its head in Seattle’s 38-37 OT thriller.
Stafford’s arm was on full display, throwing for 457 yards and three touchdowns in the valiant effort. Nacua was the star of the show once again, with 12 catches for a whopping 225 yards and two touchdowns.
However, it was the Seahawks’ response that made this game so great. Trailing 30-14 entering the fourth, they capitalized on a punt return touchdown from the newly-acquired Rashid Shaheed, as well as clutch plays from Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Of course, we can’t forget about the controversial call on the two-point conversion that tied up the ball game. If the Seahawks didn’t get that fortunate call, it could have been the Rams hosting the NFC Championship Game.
Darnold’s poise under pressure, including a 26-yard TD pass and the decisive OT drive, epitomized the Seahawks’ never-say-die attitude. This game not only evened the series, but it also gave them the win that catapulted Seattle into the NFC’s No. 1 seed – which also gives them home field advantage for this crucial matchup on Sunday.
Previewing the NFC Championship Showdown
One major sportsbook has the Seahawks listed as 2.5-point favorites (-155 ML) against the Rams (+130 ML) on Sunday. The total is currently listed at 47.5 points.
Seattle will be without Zach Charbonnet, who suffered a torn ACL in the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers last week. Kenneth Walker III came in and stole the show with 116 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, so he will certainly be a focal point in LA’s preparation this week.
As for the Rams, you have to wonder if they’ll have enough in the tank to pull out the win in the Great Northwest. After all, they just played an overtime game in some of the worst weather conditions possible, and now they’re heading into the NFL’s most hostile road environment.
I believe the Seahawks will come away with the win, which would set up a Super Bowl rematch against either the Denver Broncos or New England Patriots.
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