NFC Championship Preview: Three Seahawks Poised for Redemption Against the Rams
The stage is set. The NFC Championship game is here, and it’s a familiar matchup with sky-high stakes: the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, two NFC West heavyweights who’ve been circling each other all season long.
Their last meeting? A thriller that went to overtime, with Seattle gutting out a win that felt like a turning point in the Pacific Northwest.
Now, with a Super Bowl berth on the line, every snap will matter. And for a few key Seahawks, this game offers more than just a shot at the Lombardi-it’s a chance to flip the script on some tough moments from that last showdown with L.A.
Let’s dive into three Seattle players who had their struggles in that Week 16 clash-but are more than capable of turning those lessons into momentum on Sunday.
Cooper Kupp: Time to Write a New Chapter
Week 16 wasn’t kind to Cooper Kupp. The usually sure-handed and assignment-sound wideout had a rough outing, missing a couple of critical blocks and coughing up a fumble in the red zone. For a player who prides himself on doing the little things right, it was an uncharacteristic showing.
But Kupp isn’t the type to dwell. And if his bounce-back performance against the 49ers in the Divisional Round is any indication-leading the team with 60 receiving yards in a blowout win-he’s locked back in.
This game offers something bigger for Kupp: a shot at redemption, a chance to be the difference-maker in a rivalry game with everything on the line. He’s been a big-game player before, and few understand what it means to deliver in the postseason quite like the pride of Eastern Washington. Expect him to be heavily involved early and often.
Jalen Sundell: From Rust to Reliability
Week 16 was Jalen Sundell’s first game back after a four-game absence due to a knee injury, and the rust showed. He struggled to hold up against interior pressure, particularly against former Seahawk Poona Ford, who beat him for multiple run stuffs and pressures. One of those pressures forced Sam Darnold into a scramble and a tough incompletion in overtime-a moment that loomed large in a game that hung in the balance.
Sundell also had a similar breakdown earlier in the game against Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner. It wasn’t just one bad rep-it was a pattern.
But let’s be clear: this wasn’t indicative of Sundell’s season as a whole. Since returning, he’s settled back into form and has looked like a solid starting center for Seattle. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will be counting on him to anchor the interior and keep the pocket clean against a Rams front that knows how to bring heat.
If Sundell can deliver a clean game, it’ll go a long way toward keeping Seattle’s offense on schedule-and out of those high-stress third-and-longs.
Ernest Jones IV: Four Quarters of Impact Needed
Facing your former team in the playoffs is always personal, and for Ernest Jones IV, the Rams clearly had a plan for him in their last meeting.
In the first half of that Week 16 game, Jones looked hesitant. He got caught in the wash on a run play, bit on a play-action fake that left the middle of the field open, and was the underneath defender on a big Puka Nacua catch that helped L.A. move the chains.
But then came the second half-and a different player showed up.
Jones was everywhere after the break. He helped blow up a goal-line run, tackled Nacua short of the sticks on a key third down, and blanketed receivers in coverage.
He even nearly came away with a game-sealing interception in overtime. That kind of turnaround speaks volumes about his resilience and football IQ.
Now, Seattle needs that second-half version of Jones for all four quarters. He was a force in the Divisional Round, earning a 90.3 grade from PFF, and he’ll be key again in slowing down a Rams offense that thrives on misdirection and yards after the catch.
If Jones can play with the same confidence and discipline he showed down the stretch, he’ll be a difference-maker in this one.
The Moment Is Now
The Seahawks have a chance to do something special here-knock off two division rivals in back-to-back weeks and punch a ticket to the Super Bowl… in the home stadium of their most bitter rivals. That’s the kind of storyline that lives forever in franchise lore.
But it’s going to take a complete effort, and that includes players like Kupp, Sundell, and Jones rising to the occasion. They’ve seen the Rams up close, they’ve felt the pressure, and they’ve tasted both failure and redemption.
Now comes the biggest test yet.
Let’s see who steps up.