The Rams and Seahawks are set to square off for the third time this season, and this one’s for all the marbles in the NFC. A divisional rivalry with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line? You couldn’t script it much better.
For Rams head coach Sean McVay, the challenge isn’t just about preparing for a familiar opponent-it’s about finding the right balance between innovation and identity. When you’ve already faced a team twice, especially one as well-coached and talented as Seattle, the chess match gets even more layered.
“You want to be careful not to chase ghosts,” McVay said, speaking to the mental tug-of-war that comes with a third matchup. It’s a telling phrase.
On one hand, McVay doesn’t want to get too predictable-Seattle’s already seen a good chunk of his playbook. On the other, he knows that overthinking it and straying too far from what his team does best could do more harm than good.
It’s a delicate line to walk. McVay emphasized the fundamentals-execution, timing, and letting players play free.
“They’re a great team. They’re great in all three phases,” he said of the Seahawks.
“We’d like to think when we’re humming and we’re at our best, we’re pretty good too.”
And he’s not wrong. When the Rams are clicking, they can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
But the familiarity of a third meeting adds layers of complexity. Defensive tendencies are known.
Audibles have been heard. Film has been dissected to the bone.
There are no surprises left-just adjustments, counters, and execution under pressure.
This isn’t McVay’s first rodeo when it comes to third-time matchups in the postseason. Back in 2021, the Rams dropped both regular-season games to the 49ers but flipped the script in the NFC Championship. A year earlier, during the COVID season, the Rams and Seahawks split their regular-season meetings before Los Angeles went into Seattle and pulled off a playoff win.
So yes, McVay has been here before. And history suggests he knows how to navigate this kind of scenario.
But every season is its own story, and every team has its own identity. The Rams will need to be sharp, disciplined, and confident in who they are.
Sunday’s NFC Championship isn’t just another playoff game-it’s a test of adaptability, trust, and poise. For McVay and the Rams, it’s a chance to beat a divisional rival for the third time in a high-stakes setting. For the Seahawks, it’s an opportunity to prove they’ve learned from the first two encounters.
One thing’s for sure: when these two NFC West foes meet with a Super Bowl berth on the line, expect intensity, adjustments, and no shortage of drama.