The stage is set for an epic showdown between division rivals in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, with NFL MVP favorite Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams taking to the road to face Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
The Seahawks are favored (-2.5) to come out on top in this battle of the two best teams in the NFC, with home-field advantage likely being the difference, as Seattle can be one of the toughest places to play in the NFL.
However, the Rams are as formidable as any of the four teams left in the NFL playoffs, with Stafford looking to guide his squad back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2022.
Sam Darnold on NFC Championship Game Atmosphere: ‘It’s Going to be Incredible!’
GettySam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks
Ahead of the biggest game of his life against the division rival Rams, Darnold sent a bit of a message to Sean McVay’s crew, as he knows it’ll be incredibly tough for Stafford and company to play on the road in hostile territory in Seattle with Seahawks fans ready to get loud.
“It’s going to be incredible! I don’t know how you topped last week, but I’m sure the 12s will,” Darnold said during media availability. “They always bring it for us, so we’re excited for them.
“I will say, too, the 12s are really smart football fans. They understand when to be quiet and when to be really loud. I feel like some fanbases sometimes they get loud when their team is on offense, like if they make a big play, they’ll continue to cheer even when the team is in the huddle.
“Our fans do a really good job of understanding when to actually make noise and when not to.”
Needless to say, Stafford and the Rams’ offense will have quite a tough challenge ahead, dealing with the crowd noise at Lumen Field in Seattle while also facing a stout defense that can cause havoc on the gridiron.
Sean McVay Talks Rams’ Resilience Ahead of Clash With Seahawks
GettyHead coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams
Heading into this playoff showdown with the Seahawks in Seattle, McVay knows the Rams have their work cut out for them against one of the best all-around teams in the NFL.
However, the one-time Super Bowl champion knows his team has the resilience to deal with any tough challenge in the playoffs.
“I think what’s been reflected in is that we’ve been strengthened through our scars,” McVay said. “There was a handful of games that we had, or a few games that we had, where you maintain a lead, and then they come back. And then, you’re not able to, kind of, make the plays that are necessary to be able to finish it. Well, that hasn’t been the narrative in each of our first two playoff games,” McVay said. “Don’t know exactly how this game’s gonna unfold. But I do think our guys have become more resilient.”
Sam Darnold Sends Warning to Rams About NFC Championship Atmosphere