The NFC West is basically a meat grinder. You know it, I know it, and the Los Angeles Rams certainly know it after what went down at Lumen Field recently. If you missed the December 18 matchup, you missed arguably the game of the year.
Seattle Seahawks vs Rams games are usually tense, but this one was on another level. We’re talking about a 16-point fourth-quarter comeback. We're talking about a "walk-off" two-point conversion in overtime. It was the kind of game that leaves fanbases either ecstatic or searching for a dark room to sit in for three days.
Honestly, the Rams looked like they had this one in the bag. With eight minutes left in regulation, they were up 30-14. Matthew Stafford was dealing, and Puka Nacua was essentially teleporting past the Seahawks' secondary. But then, Sam Darnold and the Seattle offense decided to wake up.
The Overtime Madness Most People Missed
Everyone talks about the final score, but the "how" is what's wild. The Seahawks won 38-37. That's a weird score for overtime. Usually, someone kicks a field goal or catches a touchdown and the game just ends. Not this time.
Seattle became the first team in NFL history to win a game on an overtime two-point conversion. Let that sink in. Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks' head coach, decided to gamble the entire game on one play from the two-yard line after Jaxon Smith-Njigba hauled in a touchdown. It paid off. Eric Saubert caught the ball, the stadium erupted, and the Rams were left staring at the turf.
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Before that, Matthew Stafford had just put the Rams up 37-30 with a 41-yard bomb to Nacua. Most teams would have been deflated. Seattle wasn't. They marched down, scored, and then went for the throat instead of the tie. It was gutsy. Some might call it reckless, but when it works, you're a genius.
Why the Rivalry is Changing in 2026
For years, this rivalry was defined by Russell Wilson vs. Aaron Donald. Now? It’s a completely different vibe. The Seahawks are leaning heavily into a revived run game that actually started clicking right as the 2025 season closed. Kenneth Walker III just crossed the 1,000-yard mark again, and the team averaged over 170 rushing yards in their final three games of the regular season.
The Rams, meanwhile, have become this high-flying 13-personnel machine. They ran plays with three tight ends on over 60% of their snaps against Seattle. It’s a heavy look that forces defenses to stay big, then Stafford just carves them up anyway.
Key Stats from the Recent Matchup:
- Matthew Stafford: 457 passing yards (his most in over a decade).
- Puka Nacua: 225 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Total Yards: The Rams put up 581 yards and somehow still lost.
- All-Time Series: Seattle now holds a razor-thin 29-28 lead over the Rams in the regular season.
It’s rare to see a team rack up nearly 600 yards of offense and go home with an "L," but that's the chaotic energy of the Seattle Seahawks vs Rams rivalry.
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The Controversial Fumble-Point Conversion
If you want to know why Sean McVay was frustrated after the game, look at the fourth-quarter two-point conversion. It was a mess.
Sam Darnold threw a quick screen that hit Jared Verse and bounced into the air. It looked like an incomplete pass. The refs initially called it a miss. But after a review, they decided the pass actually went backward. That made it a live ball—a fumble. Zach Charbonnet realized it before anyone else, scooped it up in the end zone, and the refs awarded Seattle two points.
That single play tied the game at 30-30. Without those two points, the game never even sees overtime. McVay said afterward he’d never seen anything like it in all his years of football. It’s one of those "only in Seattle" moments that keeps this rivalry bitter.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for the NFC West
Right now, Seattle is sitting at the top of the conference, while the Rams have slid down the seeding ladder. This specific win gave the Seahawks a one-game lead in the division and basically controlled their destiny for the playoffs.
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The Rams have a lot to fix, specifically on special teams. They had a holding penalty on a 41-yard kickoff return in overtime that pinned them back at their own 20. Those little mistakes are what kill you in January.
Actionable Insights for the Post-Season:
- Watch the Trenches: Seattle’s offensive line is surviving without Charles Cross (hamstring), but they need him back for a deep run. Josh Jones filled in, but the pressure was noticeable.
- Monitor Davante Adams: The Rams were missing Adams (hamstring) in this last shootout. If he's healthy, this offense becomes almost impossible to stop, even if the defense is struggling.
- Bet on the Over: When these two meet lately, the scoreboard gets a workout. The "over" has been a safe friend for bettors in this series.
- The Home Field Factor: Lumen Field is still the loudest place in the league. The Rams' 13-personnel communication seemed to break down a few times during the fourth-quarter noise.
The Seattle Seahawks vs Rams saga is far from over. With a potential playoff rematch looming, both teams are peaking at the right time. Whether it's a miraculous fumble recovery or a walk-off conversion, expect the unexpected. This isn't just a divisional game; it's a recurring heart attack for everyone involved.