The 2025 NFC Championship game on January 25, 2026, delivered a classic chapter in the rivalry between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams. In a high-stakes battle at Lumen Field, the Seattle Seahawks secured a 31–27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, punching their ticket to the Super Bowl. The game was defined by elite quarterback play, explosive wide receiver performances, and a defensive stand in the final minutes that silenced one of the league's most potent offenses.

Quick Stats Overview: 2025 NFC Championship

  • Final Score: Seattle Seahawks 31, Los Angeles Rams 27
  • Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
  • Attendance: 68,773
  • Leading Passer: Matthew Stafford (374 yards, 3 TDs)
  • Leading Rusher: Kenneth Walker III (62 yards, 1 TD)
  • Leading Receiver: Puka Nacua (165 yards, 1 TD)

Detailed Passing Statistics: Stafford vs. Darnold

The narrative of this match was centered on the veteran resilience of Matthew Stafford against the resurgence of Sam Darnold. Both quarterbacks finished with identical passer ratings of 127.6 and 127.8 respectively, illustrating the razor-thin margin between the two squads.

Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)

Matthew Stafford operated at a high level despite the hostile environment. He completed 22 of 35 passes for a staggering 374 yards. His ability to push the ball downfield was evident in his 10.7 yards per attempt average.

  • Completions/Attempts: 22/35
  • Passing Yards: 374
  • Touchdowns: 3
  • Interceptions: 0
  • Sacks Taken: 1 (9-yard loss)
  • Longest Pass: 35 yards

In our analysis of the film, Stafford’s efficiency on third downs was notable early in the game, but the Rams struggled to maintain that rhythm in the fourth quarter. His 34-yard touchdown strike to Puka Nacua in the third quarter was a perfectly placed ball that beat double coverage, showcasing that at age 37, Stafford still possesses elite arm talent.

Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks)

Sam Darnold’s performance was arguably the story of the post-season. Playing through an oblique injury sustained in the divisional round, Darnold displayed remarkable poise. He completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards, matching Stafford with 3 touchdowns and, crucially, avoiding any turnovers.

  • Completions/Attempts: 25/36
  • Passing Yards: 346
  • Touchdowns: 3
  • Interceptions: 0
  • Sacks Taken: 3 (25-yard loss)
  • Longest Pass: 51 yards

Darnold’s success was built on quick releases and intermediate crossing routes. His chemistry with Jaxon Smith-Njigba allowed Seattle to exploit the Rams' soft zones, while his 13-yard touchdown pass to former Ram Cooper Kupp proved to be the decisive score of the contest.

Receiving Yardage and Target Analysis

The receiving numbers in this game were historic for an NFC Championship. Two receivers surpassed the 150-yard mark, reflecting the offensive-heavy philosophy of both Sean McVay and Mike Macdonald.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks)

Smith-Njigba emerged as the primary engine of the Seahawks' passing attack. He finished the game with 10 receptions on 12 targets for 153 yards and a touchdown.

  • Targets: 12
  • Receptions: 10
  • Yards: 153
  • Average: 15.3 per catch
  • Touchdowns: 1 (14-yard reception in the 2nd quarter)

Watching JSN operate in the slot was a highlight of the game. He consistently created separation against the Rams' nickel corners, particularly during the 74-yard drive late in the second quarter that gave Seattle the momentum heading into halftime.

Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams)

Puka Nacua continued his record-breaking trajectory with a dominant 165-yard performance. He was Stafford’s go-to option in critical situations, catching 9 of his 14 targets.

  • Targets: 14
  • Receptions: 9
  • Yards: 165
  • Average: 18.3 per catch
  • Touchdowns: 1 (34-yard reception in the 3rd quarter)

Nacua’s physical style was on full display as he accounted for 68 yards after catch (YAC). His ability to break tackles in the secondary kept the Rams' scoring drives alive even when the run game stalled.

Secondary Receiving Stats

Player Team Rec Yds TD Long
Davante Adams Rams 4 89 1 35
Cooper Kupp Seahawks 4 36 1 13
Rashid Shaheed Seahawks 1 51 0 51
Colby Parkinson Rams 3 62 0 40
Kenneth Walker III Seahawks 4 49 0 15

Cooper Kupp’s contribution, while statistically modest with 36 yards, carried immense emotional and tactical weight. His 13-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter was a vintage route-running clinic that put the Seahawks ahead for good.

Rushing Efficiency and Ground Control

While the game was headlined by the air attack, the ground game determined the tempo, especially during the fourth-quarter clock-management phase.

Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks)

Walker III was the workhorse for Seattle, handling 19 carries. While the Rams' defensive front, led by Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner, limited his explosive runs, Walker’s consistency in short-yardage situations was vital.

  • Carries: 19
  • Rushing Yards: 62
  • Average: 3.3
  • Touchdowns: 1 (2-yard run in the 1st quarter)
  • Longest Run: 11 yards

Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams)

The Seahawks' defense, spearheaded by Ernest Jones IV (against his former team), made it a priority to neutralize Kyren Williams. Williams was held to just 39 yards on 10 carries, forcing the Rams to become one-dimensional in the second half.

  • Carries: 10
  • Rushing Yards: 39
  • Average: 3.9
  • Touchdowns: 0 (Did have 1 Receiving TD)
  • Longest Run: 11 yards

The Rams also utilized Blake Corum in limited action, who managed 19 yards on 3 carries, including a strong 11-yard burst that set up a field goal. However, the lack of a consistent run threat allowed Seattle's safeties to cheat deeper, challenging Stafford to win exclusively over the top.

Defensive Impact and Key Stops

In a game where nearly 900 total yards were gained, the box score for the defense focuses on "clutch" moments rather than cumulative suppression.

Seattle’s "Bend But Don't Break" Unit

The Seahawks' defense was highlighted by the performance of Devon Witherspoon. While he didn't record an interception, his impact was felt in the red zone.

  • Total Tackles: 8 (6 solo)
  • Passes Defensed: 2
  • Key Play: A fourth-down stop in the red zone during the final two minutes, tackling Davante Adams short of the line to gain.

Leonard Williams also notched a crucial sack on Stafford, a 9-yard loss that pushed the Rams out of comfortable field goal range in the second quarter.

Rams' Defensive Leaders

The Rams' rookie sensations continued to produce at a high level. Jared Verse and Braden Fiske combined for 1.5 sacks on Darnold.

  • Jared Verse: 4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 QB hits.
  • Kamren Kinchens: 3 tackles, 1 pass defensed.

Despite these efforts, the Rams were unable to force a turnover, which proved to be the statistical difference-maker in a game decided by four points.

Comparative Analysis: Regular Season vs. NFC Championship

To understand the 31-27 result, it is essential to look at the three-game arc of the Rams-Seahawks rivalry in the 2025 season.

  1. Week 11 (Rams 21, Seahawks 19): In this defensive slugfest, the Rams' secondary held Darnold to under 200 yards. The statistical outlier was Kyren Williams, who rushed for over 100 yards.
  2. Week 16 (Seahawks 38, Rams 37 OT): This "Thursday Night Football" classic saw a massive statistical explosion. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 180 yards in this meeting, foreshadowing his NFC Championship dominance. Seattle’s three successful two-point conversions were the statistical anomalies that secured the win.
  3. NFC Championship (Seahawks 31, Rams 27): This game represented the statistical "middle ground." Scoring was high but more structured. The turnover margin (0-0) was the first time in their three meetings that neither team gave the ball away, leading to a game decided purely on offensive execution and red-zone efficiency.

Team Comparison: Advanced Metrics

The final box score reveals why the game felt so closely contested until the final whistle.

Statistic Los Angeles Rams Seattle Seahawks
Total Net Yards 479 396
First Downs 26 24
3rd Down Efficiency 1-8 (12.5%) 7-13 (53.8%)
4th Down Efficiency 1-2 (50.0%) 0-0
Red Zone Efficiency 2-4 4-5
Time of Possession 28:15 31:45
Penalties-Yards 4-35 5-45

The most telling statistic is the 3rd Down Efficiency. Despite outgaining Seattle by 83 total yards, the Rams converted only 1 of their 8 third-down attempts. Seattle, conversely, was elite on money downs, converting over 53% of their chances. This allowed the Seahawks to control the clock and keep the ball away from Stafford during the final stretch.

Conclusion: How the Stats Told the Story

The statistics of the 2025 NFC Championship confirm that this was a battle of efficiency versus volume. The Rams gained more yards and moved the ball more freely between the twenties, thanks to the explosive connection between Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua. However, the Seattle Seahawks were the more disciplined and efficient team where it mattered most: on third downs and in the red zone.

Sam Darnold’s mistake-free football, combined with the surgical precision of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the veteran leadership of Cooper Kupp, provided just enough offensive output to overcome a massive yardage deficit. For the Rams, the inability to convert third downs and a lack of a running game (just 114 total rushing yards on 22 carries) will be the statistical legacy of a missed opportunity to return to the Super Bowl.

FAQ: Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks Stats

Who had the most receiving yards in the 2025 Rams vs. Seahawks NFC Championship?

Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams led all receivers with 165 yards on 9 catches. Jaxon Smith-Njigba followed closely with 153 yards for the Seahawks.

Did Cooper Kupp play against the Rams in this game?

Yes, Cooper Kupp played for the Seattle Seahawks against his former team. He recorded 4 catches for 36 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter.

What were Matthew Stafford's final stats in the loss?

Stafford completed 22 of 35 passes for 374 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Despite his high yardage, the Rams' low third-down conversion rate (12.5%) hampered their scoring ability.

How many touchdowns did Sam Darnold throw?

Sam Darnold threw 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, finishing with a passer rating of 127.8. His touchdown passes were caught by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo, and Cooper Kupp.

What was the key defensive play of the game?

The most critical defensive stat was the fourth-down stop by Seattle cornerback Devon Witherspoon in the red zone during the game's final two minutes, which effectively ended the Rams' comeback hopes.