Championship Sunday at Lumen Field ended with the Seattle Seahawks holding off the Los Angeles Rams, 31–27, in a tightly contested NFC Championship that was decided in the final minutes.
Final score and snapshot
Seattle 31, Los Angeles 27. The lead changed hands multiple times, and neither team led by more than one possession. Seattle sealed the game with a late defensive stop after controlling the ball for most of the fourth quarter.
How Seattle gained the edge
The Seahawks did not rely on trick plays or explosive swings. Instead, they won situational football. Seattle converted key early downs, stayed ahead of the chains, and kept its offense on schedule throughout the second half.
Seattle’s advantages came from:
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Efficient first-down production
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Well-timed fourth-down decisions in Rams territory
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Route concepts that stressed linebackers in coverage
The approach limited Los Angeles’ ability to substitute and forced the Rams to play extended defensive series.
Quarterbacks: contrasting approaches
Geno Smith and Matthew Stafford played distinctly different games. Stafford pushed the ball downfield and capitalized when protection held, generating quick scoring drives. Smith focused on timing, ball placement, and drive continuity.
The separation came in:
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Third-down execution
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Ball security
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Game management in the final quarter
Smith consistently converted manageable third downs late, allowing Seattle to control possession when the margin narrowed.
Defense makes the final stand
Seattle’s defense allowed yardage but prevented explosive breakdowns. The Rams reached scoring position multiple times but were forced into shorter drives late in the game.
Key defensive factors:
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Tight coverage inside the red zone
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Controlled edge play against misdirection
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Pressure generated without heavy blitzing
Two fourth-quarter stops – one forcing a punt, another limiting Los Angeles to a brief possession — shifted control to Seattle permanently.
Decisive moments
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A fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter that extended a touchdown drive
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A third-and-long completion along the sideline that flipped field position
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A final defensive stop that preserved the four-point lead
Each sequence reduced the Rams’ margin for error and shortened the game.
What’s next
Seattle advances to the Super Bowl after navigating a narrow path built on execution rather than volume. The Seahawks relied on ball control, situational awareness, and late-game discipline – a formula that carried them through the NFC title game.
They move forward with a team built to win close games, comfortable operating within slim margins and high-pressure moments.
FAQ – Rams vs Seahawks (NFC Championship)
What was the final score?
Seahawks 31, Rams 27.
Where was the game played?
Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington.
Who were the quarterbacks?
Geno Smith for Seattle, Matthew Stafford for Los Angeles.
What decided the game?
Late-game execution and situational defensive stops.
What’s next for Seattle?
A Super Bowl appearance following their NFC Championship victory.
Best Hotels around Lumen Field (Seattle)
- Seattle Marriott Waterfront
- Grand Hyatt Seattle
- Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
- Hilton Seattle
- Courtyard Seattle Downtown / Pioneer Square
## Lumen Field Location Map
