SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams today at Lumen Field with a trip to Super Bowl LXI on the line. After a dominant 41-6 dismantling of the 49ers last weekend, the top-seeded Hawks enter the NFC Championship as heavy favorites, but one celebrity superfan is doing his part to make sure the luck stays on Seattle’s side by staying as far away as possible.
Actor and comedian Joel McHale, a lifelong Seattle native and former University of Washington walk-on, recently admitted to being the team’s “cooler” this season. During a late-night appearance, McHale confessed he was physically present for all three of Seattle’s regular-season losses. To protect the 14-3 Seahawks, McHale joked about flying to Australia just to keep his “bad luck” energy away from the Pacific Northwest. While he likely won’t be in Perth, he’s clearly trading his stadium seat for a couch and his French Bulldog to ensure Mike Macdonald’s squad keeps their eight-game winning streak alive.
The energy in the Emerald City is electric. Despite the chilly 45-degree forecast, the “12s” have turned the streets surrounding Pioneer Square into a sea of college navy and action green. You can smell the salt air and grilled onions from the street vendors blocks away from the stadium. This isn’t just another playoff game; it’s a chance for Seattle to return to the mountaintop after a decade of “retooling.”
On the field, the news is even better for Seattle. Quarterback Sam Darnold is officially off the injury report after dealing with a nagging oblique strain. Darnold was a limited participant earlier this week but told reporters on Friday that he feels “100 percent” and ready to lead the charge. He’ll need that health against a Rams defense that has historically given him trouble, though this 2026 iteration of the Seahawks offense is a different beast. With Kenneth Walker III coming off a 160-yard performance and Rashid Shaheed emerging as a lethal return threat, the Rams’ secondary will be stretched thin from the first whistle.
“We aren’t looking back at what we did to San Francisco. This is a different fight. The Rams know us, we know them. It’s going to be a 60-minute dogfight, and we’re ready to protect our house.” — Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Head Coach
The winner of today’s 3:30 PM PT kickoff faces either the Denver Broncos or the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. For Seattle, a win would validate the “New Era” under Macdonald and mark their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2014 season. The Rams, meanwhile, are looking to spoil the party and prove that their Week 11 win over Seattle wasn’t a fluke. Expect a heavy dose of the run game early to settle Darnold’s nerves, but don’t be surprised if Seattle takes a deep shot to Shaheed early to blow the roof off the stadium.
