Rams Rue Missing Super Bowl Opportunity After Seahawks' Victory

The Los Angeles Rams came up short against their NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks, who went on to win Super Bowl 60.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Los Angeles Rams were left ruing their missed opportunity to win the Super Bowl after their divisional rival, the Seattle Seahawks, emerged victorious in Super Bowl 60. The Rams, led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, had been tipped to steamroll the New England Patriots in the big game, but ultimately fell short in the NFC Championship. The Seahawks' triumph highlighted the strength of the NFC West, which will feature the reigning champions, MVP, Comeback Player of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year next season.

Why it matters

The Rams' failure to reach the Super Bowl is a significant missed opportunity, as they would have been heavily favored to defeat the Patriots and give Stafford a chance to win his first championship before potentially retiring. The Seahawks' victory also underscores the challenges the Rams will face in their quest to return to this level of success next season, with questions surrounding Stafford's health and ability to replicate his MVP-caliber performance.

The details

The Rams were unable to overcome their divisional rival Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, despite quarterback Matthew Stafford's consistent success against Seattle's defense. The Seahawks' victory proved that the NFC West was the toughest division in the NFL this season, with the reigning Super Bowl champions, MVP, Comeback Player of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year all competing for the top spot next year.

  • The Rams lost to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game on January 25, 2026.
  • Super Bowl 60 was played on February 11, 2026.

The players

Matthew Stafford

The veteran Los Angeles Rams quarterback who was expected to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory before falling short in the NFC Championship game.

Cooper Kupp

The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver who won his second Super Bowl championship, solidifying his legacy despite not having the same impact as when he won it with the Rams.

Sean McVay

The head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, who was left disappointed after his team's failure to reach the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver who benefited from the attention defenses paid to Cooper Kupp, making him a more dangerous offensive threat.

Bill Belichick

The head coach of the New England Patriots, who were expected to be steamrolled by the Rams in the Super Bowl.

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What’s next

The Rams will need to address their team's biggest needs in the offseason, utilizing their cap space and two first-round picks, while also hoping that Matthew Stafford can remain healthy and replicate his MVP-caliber performance from the previous season.

The takeaway

The Rams' failure to reach the Super Bowl is a significant missed opportunity, as they would have been heavily favored to defeat the Patriots and give Stafford a chance to win his first championship before potentially retiring. The Seahawks' victory highlights the challenges the Rams will face in their quest to return to this level of success next season, with questions surrounding Stafford's health and ability to replicate his MVP-caliber performance.