Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Rams HC Sean McVay can join elite company with win over Seahawks

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Jan 25, 2026 11:16 AM ET

The Los Angeles Rams are hoping to advance to their second Super Bowl in five seasons (winning it all in 2021) but will have to get past one of the best defenses in the league in the Seattle Seahawks (236.0 yards per game).

The Rams have a slight advantage against the Seahawks' defense, with MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford (4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns), under center and their offensive genius head coach, Sean McVay, calling plays. McVay could join some elite company if he leads his Rams to a win over the Seahawks.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McVay would become the fourth head coach, along with Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells (Hall of Fame), and Dan Reeves, as the only head coaches to win each of their first three conference championship games since the 1970 merger. McVay would also become the youngest head coach to reach his third Super Bowl, turning 40 years old on Jan. 24, the day before the NFC Championship Game.

In his nine seasons as the Rams’ head coach, McVay has a record of 92-57 and won Coach of the Year in 2017 with an 11-5 record.

With a win in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, Sean McVay would become the fourth head coach since the 1970 merger to win each of his first three conference championship games; the others are Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells and Dan Reeves.

With a win Sunday, McVay also would… pic.twitter.com/L5iE55u02C
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2026

For the Rams to win, Sean McVay may need to rely on the running game

The Rams offense will need to be on its game to combat Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald’s strong defensive mind.

McVay has two of the NFL's best wide receivers at his disposal, Puka Nacua (1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns) and Davante Adams (789 yards and 14 touchdowns). But the Seahawks will counter with a strong passing defense (128.0 yards per game). With this being the case, McVay may have to rely on his running backs, Kyren Williams (1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns) and Blake Corum (746 yards and six touchdowns), to help open up the passing game. The Seahawks' run defense has been the weakest part of their game plan (108.0 yards per game).

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

More must-reads: