NFC Championship Preview: Seahawks vs. Rams Comes Down to Coaching Chess Match
The NFC West has no shortage of coaching firepower, and this Sunday’s NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams is shaping up to be a masterclass in sideline strategy. On one side, you’ve got Mike Macdonald, the defensive mastermind who’s quickly made his mark in Seattle.
On the other, Sean McVay, the offensive architect who’s been redefining play-calling in LA for years. Two elite minds.
One trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Let’s be clear: both of these rosters are loaded with talent. But what separates these teams-and what might ultimately decide this game-is the coaching.
Macdonald and McVay aren’t just good at what they do; they’re elite. And when their units are clicking, it’s like watching a chess match at warp speed.
That said, McVay wasn’t exactly thrilled with his own performance in the Divisional Round. After squeaking past the Bears, he didn’t mince words.
“Offensively, man, I did not do a very good job for our group tonight,” McVay admitted postgame. “I did not like the feel for the flow of the game that I had outside of the first series… But like I said, I'm really grateful for this group being able to find a way, stick with it, and be able to overcome some bad coaching by me tonight."
That’s a rare bit of self-critique from one of the sharpest minds in the league. And while it may sound like humility, it’s also a warning: don’t expect him to miss twice. McVay’s track record suggests he’ll come into this game with a plan that’s far more dialed in-and far more dangerous.
Seattle knows that all too well. In Week 16, the Seahawks came out on top against LA, but it wasn’t exactly a defensive clinic.
The Rams racked up 581 yards of total offense, moved the chains 26 times, and averaged a whopping 6.6 yards per play. That’s not the kind of stat line you want to see from a team you just beat.
Seattle’s win in that game came down to some late-game magic. A punt return touchdown from Rashid Shaheed flipped the momentum, and a couple of clutch two-point conversions sealed the comeback.
But let’s be honest-that’s not a sustainable formula against a team like the Rams. If the Seahawks are going to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl, they’ll need more than just special teams sparks.
They’ll need Macdonald’s defense to rise to the occasion.
There’s reason to believe they can. Back in Week 11, the Seahawks lost to the Rams in a tight 21-19 battle, but the defense held its own.
LA managed just 249 total yards and 5.0 yards per play. The difference?
Quarterback Sam Darnold threw four interceptions, giving the Rams short fields to work with. Even with that, Seattle’s defense kept things close.
That version of the Seahawks defense-disciplined, opportunistic, and aggressive-is the one that needs to show up on Sunday. Because McVay will have answers.
He always does. The question is whether Macdonald can keep up, adjust on the fly, and force the Rams out of rhythm.
Seattle has proven it can shut down almost anyone. But McVay’s offense isn’t “almost anyone.” If the Seahawks are going to make it to the Super Bowl, they’ll have to win the battle of the minds-and that means Macdonald’s scheme has to be every bit as sharp as McVay’s playbook.
This isn’t just a game. It’s a chess match between two of the brightest young coaches in football. And whoever wins that duel might just be the one holding the NFC trophy when the clock hits zero.