The Los Angeles Rams’ season came to a crushing end on January 25, 2026, as they fell 31-27 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. What should have been a triumphant push toward Super Bowl LX instead became a painful reminder of how fine the margins are in the NFL playoffs. The loss has sparked intense debate, with prominent voices like FS1 analyst Craig Carton unleashing sharp criticism at Rams head coach Sean McVay for what he described as baffling and inexcusable game management.
Carton, never one to mince words, took to his radio show the day after the defeat to deliver a scathing assessment. He called McVay’s decisions “moronic” and even went so far as to label the coach “overrated,” arguing that poor play-calling and clock management directly cost the Rams a trip to the Super Bowl.
Carton pointed to several pivotal moments, including a questionable sequence at the end of the first half where the Rams opted for aggressive passing plays instead of safer options, allowing Seattle to score a touchdown just before the break—a score that proved to be the eventual margin of victory. He also highlighted other lapses, such as failing to address special teams vulnerabilities that led to a critical muffed punt by returner Xavier Smith in the third quarter, which Seattle quickly turned into a touchdown and a 24-13 lead.
The Rams entered the game as underdogs but played like a team capable of winning it all. Matthew Stafford delivered a strong performance, throwing for 374 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, connecting frequently with standout receivers like Puka Nacua. The offense racked up 479 total yards against what had been the league’s top-ranked defense under Mike Macdonald. Yet, self-inflicted wounds—particularly in special teams and situational football—undermined those efforts.
A muffed punt deep in Rams territory gifted Seattle prime field position, and late-game decisions, including going for it on fourth-and-4 from the Seattle 6-yard line while trailing by four with under five minutes remaining, backfired when the pass fell incomplete. That stop sealed the Seahawks’ advance, as the Rams’ final possession started with just 25 seconds and no timeouts from their own 7-yard line.
McVay, typically composed and quick with analysis, appeared visibly shaken in the postgame press conference. He described himself as “pretty numb” and admitted the finality of the defeat hit hard. “I think the finality of all of it, when you don’t allow yourself to even think about anything other than just advancing, I felt like we were going to be the team on that podium and we weren’t,” McVay said, his voice hoarse and eyes red-rimmed according to reports from the locker room.
He gave credit to the Seahawks for their resilience and praised his own players, calling the group one of the most special he’s ever coached. “I love this team. It’s as special of a group top-to-bottom as I’ve ever been around,” he added, expressing gratitude amid the disappointment.
The surprising element in McVay’s remarks came when he addressed questions about the future, particularly regarding quarterback Matthew Stafford’s status. When pressed on whether the 37-year-old veteran would return for an 18th season, McVay snapped back sharply at a reporter: “What kind of question is that?” before walking out of the press conference. The exchange underscored the raw emotion in the Rams’ locker room, where players and coaches alike were grappling with the abrupt end to what had been a promising campaign.
Stafford himself declined to speculate on his future, saying he couldn’t “generalize six months of my life 10 minutes after a loss.”
The criticism from Carton and others echoes sentiments shared by fans and some media outlets. Social media erupted with calls questioning McVay’s late-game calls, including debates over whether the Rams should have kicked a field goal earlier to narrow the deficit rather than risk it all on fourth down. Even Tom Brady, commentating for Fox, reportedly highlighted flaws in McVay’s strategy during the broadcast—a rare instance of pointed commentary from the usually reserved seven-time champion.
For the Seahawks, the victory marked a return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2014. Sam Darnold, in a breakout performance for his new team, completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball effectively to receivers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and former Ram Cooper Kupp. Seattle’s defense made the plays when it mattered most, including the late fourth-down stand that preserved the lead.
As the Rams head into an offseason of reflection, questions loom about roster continuity, special teams fixes, and whether McVay can channel this disappointment into renewed motivation. The coach has built a reputation as one of the league’s brightest minds since taking over in 2017, leading the team to seven playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory in 2021. This loss, however, has invited scrutiny rarely directed his way.
In the immediate aftermath, McVay’s words reflected a mix of heartbreak and pride. He acknowledged critical errors but stopped short of dwelling on them, instead focusing on the collective effort. The sting of falling short when so close to another championship will linger, but so too will the belief that this group had the talent to go all the way. For now, the NFC Championship defeat stands as a bitter chapter—one amplified by harsh outside voices like Carton’s and underscored by McVay’s own stunned admission that he never truly expected the season to end this way.
