SEATTLE — History doesn’t just repeat itself in the NFL; sometimes, it screams from the rafters of Lumen Field. With the Los Angeles Rams set to clash with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship this Sunday (Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX), the NFL’s official X account dropped a photo that sent a shiver down the spine of every Cheesehead and a jolt of electricity through every 12: The Fake Field Goal.
You know the one. 2014. Green Bay up 16-0. The season on life support. Then, punter Jon Ryan rolled left and threw a prayer to offensive lineman Garry Gilliam. Bedlam. As we gear up for Sunday’s title bout, the question isn’t just who punches their ticket to Super Bowl LX—it’s whether the Seahawks can summon that same chaotic magic against their bitter division rivals.
The @NFL account didn’t mince words today: “Y’all remember the Seahawks’ comeback to win the 2014 NFC Championship? 😳”
That blurry screenshot captures the exact moment the Seahawks’ dynasty refused to die. 3rd Quarter. 4:50 on the clock. Score: GB 16, SEA 0. The play—a 19-yard touchdown pass from a punter to a tackle—sparked an improbable 28-22 overtime victory that remains the loudest moment in stadium history.
Fast forward to 2026. The stakes are identical, but the opponent is familiar. The Seahawks, resting as the No. 1 seed, welcome a Rams squad fresh off a 20-17 overtime thriller against the Bears. The 12s will be loud, but will they be “Fake Field Goal” loud?
“You watch those old clips and you feel the ground shake. We know the history here. But Sunday isn’t about 2014. It’s about burying the Rams and taking what’s ours.” — DK Metcalf, Seahawks WR
This Sunday is a collision of philosophies. The Rams’ offense, having just put up 581 yards in Week 16, brings a track-meet speed that can silence a crowd instantly. But Seattle’s defense has been a brick wall at home, boasting a 13-3 all-time home postseason record.
- The X-Factor: Special Teams. Just like in 2014, this game could swing on a single mistake. The Rams gave up a 95-yard kickoff return TD in their last meeting. Seattle will test that unit again.
- The Stat to Watch: 1 Point. That’s the combined margin of victory across two regular-season games between these teams this year. This won’t be a blowout; it will be a war.
Simple: Win and you’re in Super Bowl LX. For the Rams, it would be their third trip under Sean McVay. For Seattle, it’s a chance to reclaim the NFC throne they haven’t held since that very 2014 season. The winner gets the survivor of the Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship showdown.
