The stage is set for Super Bowl 60. The Seattle Seahawks will face off with the New England Patriots after beating the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game 31-27.
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The New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos in the blizzard-like AFC championship earlier on Sunday and locked up a spot in the NFL's championship game. This put the spotlight on the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, two NFC West teams that met for the third time this season.
NFC CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JNbVm1NYsh
— xz* - Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 26, 2026
Unlike the AFC championship game, this battle between the NFC teams featured numerous big plays and some major mistakes.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns. He found wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for 153 yards and one score. He found former Rams receiver Cooper Kupp for a score.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams combined for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
Yet, two of the biggest plays ended up being mistakes by each team. This started with the Rams and returner Xavier Smith, who muffed a punt in the third quarter. This set the Seahawks up deep in Rams territory, and Darnold used the opportunity to throw a touchdown to Jake Bobo. This gave the Seahawks a 24-13 lead.
The second mistake, which made the game much closer, occurred late in the third quarter. Cornerback Riq Woolen had a brutal sequence of events. He dropped an interception on third-and-12, but he put the Rams in a punting situation.
All-time moment for Riq Woolen. He taunted the Rams and Matthew Stafford, which helped them convert a 4th and 11.
Then on the very next play Stafford went right at him and he gave up a TD.
Absolutely diabolical.
pic.twitter.com/PG7HHA4HrN— Dave (@davebfr) January 26, 2026
Unfortunately for Woolen, he then received a 15-yard taunting penalty that extended the Rams' drive. One play later, he gave up a 34-yard touchdown to Nacua. Instead of taking a 31-20 lead into the fourth quarter, the Seahawks had to protect a four-point lead in the closing 15 minutes.
Both sides of the ball stepped up in the closing segment. Darnold burned nearly 4 minutes at the end of the game, which left the Rams with only 25 seconds to attempt a game-winning drive.
The defense then took care of business at a crucial time despite allowing back-to-back catches by Nacua. Defensive back Devon Witherspoon, in particular, tackled the dynamic receiver in-bounds after a 21-yard catch. This used up the rest of the clock and officially ended the game.
With the Seahawks and Patriots winning, the two teams will meet in the Super Bowl for the second time. They last played in Super Bowl 49, a game that the Patriots won 28-24 after defensive back Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson's final pass at the goal line.
Super Bowl 60 will take place on Sunday, Feb. 8, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. NBC will provide coverage for the game, which starts at 6:30 p.m. ET. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be on the call for the season-ending championship game.
