Cooper Kupp Joins Rare Company, Helps Seahawks Take Down Rams in NFC Title Clash
Cooper Kupp just added another unique chapter to his already impressive NFL story - and this one puts him in elite, cross-sport company. In Sunday night’s NFC Championship Game, Kupp not only helped the Seattle Seahawks punch their ticket to Super Bowl 60, but he also became just the fifth MVP in U.S. pro sports history to face the team he won that honor with in the final four of the postseason.
That’s a club that includes LeBron James, who last did it in the 2020 NBA Finals when he led the Lakers against the Miami Heat - the team with which he won two titles and two Finals MVPs. Now, Kupp joins that exclusive list, having faced the Los Angeles Rams, the franchise he helped lift to Super Bowl glory in the 2021-22 season, and where he earned Super Bowl MVP honors.
After leaving the Rams this past offseason for a three-year deal in Seattle, Kupp’s first season with the Seahawks has had its ups and downs. He hasn’t quite hit the statistical heights of his 2021 campaign, but Sunday night served as a reminder of what he can still bring to the table when it matters most.
Kupp finished the night with four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown - a solid contribution in a game that was anything but quiet. Seattle edged out the Rams 31-27 in a back-and-forth battle that saw both offenses light it up, but it was the Seahawks who made fewer mistakes and capitalized on key opportunities to seal the win and book their trip to San Francisco for the big game.
Sam Darnold, in his first season as Seattle’s starting quarterback, delivered another poised performance. He completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns, continuing what has been a quietly impressive postseason run. Darnold’s efficiency and command of the offense have been a revelation, especially considering the expectations coming into the year.
On the ground, Kenneth Walker III provided balance and toughness. He carried the ball 19 times for 62 yards and a touchdown, while also catching four passes for 49 yards - a dual-threat effort that kept the Rams’ defense honest.
And in the air, rookie standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba stole the show. The young wideout hauled in 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown, showcasing the kind of explosiveness and route-running polish that made him a first-round pick.
Kupp’s touchdown catch - a red zone grab against his former team - wasn’t just symbolic. It was a key moment in a game where every possession mattered. Rashid Shaheed added a deep strike with a 51-yard reception, giving Seattle another vertical threat to stretch the field.
For the Rams, it was a tough way to end the season. They traded punches all night and kept things close, but a few untimely errors and Seattle’s ability to close the door in crunch time ultimately made the difference.
Now, the Seahawks turn their attention to the biggest stage of all: Super Bowl 60. They’ll face the New England Patriots on February 8 in San Francisco, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.
ET. It’s a matchup that promises plenty of intrigue - and for Cooper Kupp, it’s another chance to add to a legacy that’s already one of the more fascinating in recent NFL memory.