Rams–Seahawks rivalry

Rams–Seahawks rivalry

Rams and Seahawks face off during the 2023 season.
Los Angeles Rams Seattle Seahawks
Location	Los Angeles, Seattle
First meeting	October 31, 1976 Rams 45, Seahawks 6[1]
Latest meeting	November 3, 2024 Rams 26, Seahawks 20OT[1]
Next meeting	January 5, 2025
Stadiums	Rams: SoFi Stadium Seahawks: Lumen Field
Statistics
Meetings total	54[1]
All-time series	Tie: 27–27[1]
Regular season series	Seahawks: 27–25[1]
Postseason results	Rams: 2–0[1]
Largest victory	Rams: 45–6 (1976) Seahawks: 28–0 (2009)[1]
Longest win streak	Rams: 4 (1976–1988, 2003–2005) Seahawks: 10 (2005–2009)[1]
Current win streak	Rams: 3 (2023–present)[1]
Post-season history[1]
2004 NFC Wild Card: Rams won: 27–20 2020 NFC Wild Card: Rams won: 30–20

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Seahawks

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Location of the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks

The Rams–Seahawks rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.^[2]

While the teams first met in 1976, the rivalry did not develop until the early 2000s, specifically around 2002, when the Seahawks were placed with the Rams in the NFC West, allowing for two annual meetings between the teams.^[3][4][5][6] Geography somewhat comes into play as both Los Angeles and Seattle are approximately 1,100 miles apart along Interstate 5 connected along the western seaboard of the continental United States. Both teams initially found success at varying times until the Rams' relocation back to Los Angeles in 2016, amplifying the hostility of the rivalry as both teams regularly fought for playoff success. With both teams winning a Super Bowl between 2013 and 2021, both teams usually escalated their bi-annual regular season matchups into a bitter fight for control of the division.

The overall series is tied, 27–27. The two teams have met twice in the playoffs, with the Rams winning both games.^[1]

Originally, the Seahawks played in the NFC West during their inaugural season in 1976, but would be realigned to the AFC West the following season. Very little connected the Seahawks with any animosity towards their future rivals in the Rams and 49ers respectively for much of their existence leading up to the 2002 division realignment.

Notably, both the Rams and Seahawks encountered issues with fan attendance and outdated stadiums during the 1990s. The Rams found themselves unable to secure a new stadium in southern California and controversial owner Georgia Frontiere relocated the team to St. Louis in 1995. Seahawks' owner Ken Behring found himself increasingly unsatisfied with the declining condition of the Kingdome and later threatened to relocate the team to Los Angeles during the 1996 offseason.^[7] Unknown to the league; on February 2, 1996; Behring had relocated the Seahawks' team practices to the Rams’ former training facility in Anaheim, and sought a deal to lease out the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. However, much to the anger of the league owners; Behring had failed to properly format a bid for relocation and the league was unaware of any possible request or owners meeting regarding the move of the team. On February 5, the league threatened to heavily fine Behring and the Seahawks up to $900,000 daily unless they returned to Seattle immediately. Ultimately, Behring was involved in a forced sale of the Seahawks to Microsoft CEO Paul Allen in 1997.^[8][9]

The rivalry between the Seahawks and Rams was finally established in 2002, after the Seahawks were realigned to the NFC West after the league had expanded to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans that season. The Rams and Seahawks would share the division with fellow longtime-rivals the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals joined the NFC West after playing for 32 seasons in the NFC East. The Seahawks entered the division as an upstart playoff contender under third year head coach Mike Holmgren, meanwhile the Rams were experiencing the twilight of their famous Greatest Show On Turf era. The Rams' teams would begin to wane in comparison to their peak under quarterback Kurt Warner, and would only manage to win the division in 2003 for the final time before their relocation back to Los Angeles 13 years later.

The 2003 season saw the Rams boast a 12–4 record and take command of the division one final time. Seattle had been hot on the Rams’ heels through much of the year as the Seahawks started off with a 3–0 record, including a narrow victory over the Rams in week 3. Following the win, both teams followed varying paths to their respective playoff hunts. The Seahawks would stumble and win only 5 of their next 9 games while the Rams had run away with the division lead, winning 8 of their next 9 games. During the week 15 home matchup against the Seahawks, both sides engaged into a bitter contest as Seattle was fighting to regain their lead of the division from earlier that season. Though 2 games behind the Rams, the Seahawks entered the matchup with an aggressive performance. Following a safety after Rams’ quarterback Marc Bulger was tackled in the endzone, Seattle would find themselves down 12 points. Upon scoring their second touchdown, Rams’ receivers Tory Holt and Isaac Bruce notably taunted and engaged in a minor scuffle with Seahawks’ safety Ken Hamlin in the endzone. A drive from Shaun Alexander and Darrell Jackson helped Seattle regain momentum in the second quarter, however; following his touchdown, Jackson and Rams’ cornerback Aeneas Williams began jawing at one another as retaliation for the earlier gesture by the Rams’ receivers. Jackson was given a penalty for taunting following the touchdown. The Rams would find themselves able to outmuscle the Seahawks, the game displayed a heated running back duel of both Alexander and Rams’ future hall-of-famer Marshall Faulk. Rams’ safety Adam Archuleta proved to be the difference maker as he racked up a sack and 8 critical tackles to give the Rams the game.^[10] A controversial call as Seahawks’ wide receiver Bobby Engram dove for a crucial pass to possibly give Seattle the lead culminated in another fight with Rams’ defender after the failed catch. The victory clinched the division for the Rams in addition to a playoff berth.^[11] The Seahawks would clinch a playoff berth as the divisional runner-up with a 10–6 record, but they would go on to lose in a crushing overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers. The Rams managed to clinch the second highest seed in the conference but would fall in an equally crushing double overtime loss to the eventual Conference Champion Carolina Panthers at home.

The 2004 season saw the Rams begin the year strong as they managed a 4–2 record to start the season, but they would stumble the rest of the year and lose 6 of 10; finishing one game behind the Seahawks for the division lead. The first playoff matchup between the two teams as divisional rivals would occur in the Wild Card Round of the 2004 playoffs.^[2] Despite finishing the year one loss behind Seattle, the Rams managed to sweep them during the regular season, culminating in a high octane grudge match between the two rivals. Out of the gate; the Rams pulled ahead to a 4 point lead despite inconsistent play from quarterback Marc Bulger, The Seahawks would respond with their own passing attack as Matt Hasselbeck managed a quick touchdown and an interception to start the 2nd quarter. The second half would see Seattle briefly take the lead before Bulger managed a 17 yard touchdown with less than 2 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. Despite the best efforts of the Seahawks, the Rams refused to give up the lead. Bulger and Hasselbeck would combine for 654 passing yards and the game would also be the final game played by Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice. The Rams would not manage another playoff win until the 2018 season, meanwhile Seattle would later boast a 10-game home playoff win streak would that would end in 2020, ironically after the Rams beat the Seahawks in the 2020–21 wild card round.^[12][13]

The late 2000s and early 2010s saw a decline in the rivalry as the Seahawks consistently qualified for the playoffs, while the Rams struggled. Seattle won 10 straight meetings from 2005–09.^[14][15]

The Rams' Steven Jackson and the Seahawks' Shaun Alexander both combined for six Pro-Bowl appearances during the mid 2000s.

Despite the sharp decline in competition from the Rams through the earlier half of the decade, moments of animosity between the two teams would still occur during the Rams' final years in St. Louis even whilst Seattle managed to remain a Super Bowl contender and even earned a victory at Super Bowl XLVIII.^[18]

During a 2013 game in St. Louis, Seahawks receiver Golden Tate flashed his middle finger at Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins following a failed interception on the pass, whilst Tate returned the ball for a touchdown.^[19]

During the 2014 season, the Rams hosted the Seahawks for a week 7 matchup. Prior to halftime; the Rams had managed to lead the game 14–3. Star returner Tavon Austin was the designated punt return man on a play in which he acted as if he was calling for a fair catch, but the ball had actually been punted to the opposite side of the field, where Rams alternate returner Stedman Bailey was preparing to return the punt. With the entire Seattle coverage team focused on Austin, Bailey was left with a wide-open field and returned the punt 90 yards for a touchdown; culminating in the Rams winning 28–26 in an upset victory.^[20] The two teams later met for the season finale in week 17 in Seattle. The Rams' offense struggled mightily as they managed two field field goals prior to halftime, though their defense capitalized on an interception from Russell Wilson and a recovered fumble lost by Seahawks' running back Marshawn Lynch during their possession. The Seahawks managed two field goals of their own into the end of the third quarter as neither team's offense managed to gain any momentum. During the start of the fourth quarter, Rams' quarterback Shaun Hill threw a critical interception; giving the Seahawks the ball on the 26 yard line as Lynch later retaliated with an unstoppable touchdown run. The Rams' hopes for a comeback were later crushed as Hill threw another interception to Seahawks' linebacker Bruce Irvin who returned the ball for a touchdown; all but sealing the victory for Seattle, giving them the highest seed in the NFC.^[21]

In 2015, Rams punter Johnny Hekker shoved Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril following a 45-yard punt. Seahawks lineman Michael Bennett later attempted to tackle Hekker for retaliation, and would later refer to Hekker as "acting like a little girl" in the postgame interview.^[22] Following the Rams' victory in Seattle during week 16, Bennett would also take shots at Rams star rookie running back Todd Gurley on Twitter, after Gurley was awarded 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year claiming, "he's average to me, personally. I've seen better running backs."^[23]

In 2016, the Rams returned to Los Angeles and began playing temporarily at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as SoFi Stadium would be completed in 2020. The first regular season game back in Los Angeles was set against the Seahawks. The game opened with an impromptu concert for those in attendance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers to celebrate the return. Despite a strong showing from Seattle's passing game, they were ultimately unable to achieve a touchdown throughout the game. Meanwhile, the Rams endured similar issues with their quarterback rotation as Case Keenum struggled to stay consistent. The Rams also failed to score any touchdowns; they did, however, manage 3 field goals by Greg Zuerlein. The Rams' stellar defense managed to be the difference-maker within the game as Russell Wilson was sacked 4 times resulting in the Rams winning 9–3.^[24] However, the teams headed in opposite directions going forward, the Rams would collapse quickly following the win while the Seahawks managed to stay competitive. The two teams met again during week 15 but this time the Seahawks pulled through with a crushing 24–3 victory over the Rams.^[25] The Seahawks would later go on to win the division with a 10–5–1 record while the Rams finished 4–12.

The following season, the Rams hired Sean McVay as head coach. Since McVay's arrival, the Rams have won three NFC West titles and have dominated the rivalry, going 7–3 against the Seahawks at home since 2017. McVay boasted a 10-5 overall record against seattle since his hiring, the most losses to a single head coach during Pete Carroll’s tenure with the Seahawks.^[27] McVay's first game against the Seahawks saw the team put up a decent fight through the first half, but surrendered 2 field goals and a fumble as running back Todd Gurley's run into the endzone was ruled a touchback as he allegedly lost control of the ball. Seattle managed to win 16–10. The two teams met again during week 15 at Centurylink Field with the Rams one game ahead of Seattle for the division lead. The Rams offense entered the game seeking vengeance, Todd Gurley scythed through Seattle’s defense, putting up 152 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns as the Rams obliterated the Seahawks 42–7 for Seattle's worst home loss in franchise history.^[28][29][30] Aaron Donald finished the game with 3 sacks on Russell Wilson, while Wilson would only manage a single touchdown, completing only 14 of his 30 passes that game. Seattle's defense collapsed with relative ease as Rams' quarterback Jared Goff threw for 120 yards and 2 more touchdowns for good measure.^[31] The Rams achieved a playoff berth following their win over the division despite losing to the 49ers during the week 17 home game. Seattle would be tied with the Carolina Panthers for the lowest remaining wild card spot but would find themselves eliminated following their loss to the Arizona Cardinals the same week.

Starting the 2018 season, the two teams met in Seattle during week 5. Early on in the game, tensions began to run high after an early scuffle led to both benches clearing after Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks suffered an injury resulting from a controversial head-on collision from Seahawks safety Tedric Thompson, though no penalty was given to Seattle.^[32][33] The Rams held on, not to the same intensity as the season prior, but managed to pull off the victory nonetheless with a final score of 36–31. During the week 10 game in Los Angeles, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald managed a strip sack of Russell Wilson during the 3rd quarter and managed to recover the ball as he ran out of bounds. Prior to going off the field, Seahawks center Justin Britt threw Donald to the ground, prompting a retaliatory punch from Donald after Britt had also thrown a punch at Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. The altercation escalated quickly into a full scale brawl as Seahawks offensive lineman J.R. Sweezy and Rams cornerback Troy Hill also began throwing punches at one another. Seahawks’ lineman Austin Calitro and Rams’ Defensive End Ethan Westbrooks had to be separated by officials after also engaging into a separate fight. Both benches would continue to clear until Sean McVay, Zac Taylor, Doug Baldwin, Jordan Simmons, and Michael Brockers intervened on both sides to mollify the altercation.^[34] Following the Rams' 33–31 victory, another large altercation took place at midfield following the game between multiple players as Donald and Britt continued to antagonize one another, erupting into another brawl as both benches cleared.^[35] Donald and Britt would each receive a $20,000 fine from the league for the altercation.^[36] The Rams would go on to complete their first season sweep of the Seahawks since 2015, en route to a 13–3 record and a Super Bowl LIII appearance. Seattle managed to finish the season as division runners-up with their 10–6 record, managing a Wild Card berth against the Dallas Cowboys, though they would go on to lose 22–24.

The Seahawks' DK Metcalf and the Rams' Cooper Kupp have both emerged as dynamic receivers for their teams since 2019.

The 2019 season would reverse fortunes for both teams as the Rams encountered a slump following their Super Bowl loss while the San Francisco 49ers ran away with the division. The two teams met for a Thursday night matchup in Seattle during week 5. The Seahawks managed to deal some damage with their new rookie wide receiver DK Metcalf combined with veteran Tyler Lockett managing a shared 91 receiving yards to boost Seattle through the game. Russell Wilson returned to form with a 4-touchdown performance while Jared Goff managed a lone touchdown and a controversial interception from Tedric Thompson as multiple players on both sides claimed the ball had hit the ground prior to Thompson's grab. Following a challenge from Pete Carroll after the officials ruled the ball an incomplete pass, Seattle was awarded possession after 15 minutes of review.^[37] The Rams managed a 9-point comeback through the 4th quarter, but a devastating missed field goal from Greg Zuerlein gave Seattle the victory, 30–29. The Rams would continue to struggle mightily through their Super Bowl Slump as quarterback Jared Goff would begin to exhibit declining play as opposing defenses managed to interrupt the Rams' passing scheme. Entering the week 14 matchup at the LA Coliseum, the Seahawks boasted a 10–2 record while the Rams entered the game with a less impressive 7–5 record. Despite the differences in seasons, the Rams managed to put up more of a fight than they had during the previous matchup as they would end the first half up 21–3. During the 2nd quarter, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey and DK Metcalf engaged in an altercation following Ramsey breaking up three pass attempts intended for Metcalf.^[38][39] Despite Metcalf's best efforts, Seattle struggled mightily through the game. Seattle scored a pick-6 from newly signed safety Quandre Diggs, but the Rams defense bullied the Seahawks the entire game, managing to sack Russell Wilson 5 times on top of a fumble and an interception. Seattle was now out of the hunt for the division lead as the 49ers would manage to win the division. The Rams finished 2019 with a 9–7 record, missing the playoffs due to a sweep from the 49ers; Seattle managed to secure a wild card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles though they would go on to lose against the Green Bay Packers during the divisional round.

The 2020 season started off with the Rams winning the first of the two matchups that year at home in a hard-fought week 10 defeat of the Seahawks 23–16. Seattle entered the matchup 6–2, Los Angeles entered at 5–3. The Rams got to an early lead as Wilson threw two interceptions while Alex Collins gave the Seahawks their only touchdown of the game. However, the second matchup ignited tensions between the two clubs. Seattle was a game ahead of the Rams in the hunt for the division lead as the Rams had lost two critical upsets to the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams struggled offensively through the entire game as Jared Goff struggled and threw no touchdowns and a critical interception as they lost, 20–9. Seahawks safety Jamal Adams celebrated during a press conference by lighting a cigar and taunting various people on the Rams and declaring "it feels good don’t it Rams?" to the cameras.^[40][41] The Seahawks went on to win the NFC West with a record of 12–4; meanwhile, the Rams managed to clinch a wild card spot with a 10–6 record and the two teams were set to meet in the NFC Wild Card round in Seattle.

Leading up to that game, Seattle had not lost a home playoff game since losing to the Rams in 2004. The Rams had benched Goff prior to the game due to a fracture within his thumb and were forced to start backup quarterback John Wolford. In the first quarter, Jamal Adams landed an illegal low helmet-to-helmet hit on Wolford, knocking him out of the game.^[42] Goff was forced to play off the bench and led the Rams to a 30–20 victory over the Seahawks, ending their 10-game home playoff winning streak. Following the game, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey was seen on the field by cameras, celebrating and exclaiming the Seahawks should "they outta take their hat and their T-shirts down to Cabo for the rest of the off-season."^[43] Goff also voiced his initial satisfaction with the victory as he felt offended by Adams' cigar gesture.^[44]

During the offseason, the Seahawks acquired former Rams tight end Gerald Everett in free agency and hired former Rams passing game coordinator Shane Waldron as their offensive coordinator. Meanwhile, the Rams traded Goff and several draft picks to the Detroit Lions in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

In week 5 of the 2021 season,^[45] the Rams trailed the Seahawks by four points at halftime. In the third quarter, the Rams' offense finally woke up and scored 13 unanswered points while their defense terrorized the Seahawks. During the quarter, the Rams' reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron Donald, disrupted a Wilson pass for an incompletion. On this play, Wilson dislocated his finger when it hit Donald's hand, and as a result, Wilson was benched for the remainder of the game. Wilson's finger later put him on injured reserve, and the Seahawks were forced to play their backup quarterback Geno Smith.^[46] Smith threw one touchdown but also threw a critical interception with the Seahawks trailing by six late in the fourth quarter, giving the Rams the victory.

In Week 15 of that same season, a critical game between the rivals was postponed from Sunday, December 19 to Tuesday, December 21 due to COVID-19 outbreaks on both sides. With neither offense at full strength, the 9–4 Rams defeated the 5–8 Seahawks by the final score of 20–10 in a defensive battle. The Rams won thanks to two receiving touchdowns by eventual 2021 Offensive Player of the Year, 2021 receiving triple crown winner, and Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp. The win allowed the Rams to keep pace with the Arizona Cardinals for the NFC West division title. Simultaneously for the Seahawks; the loss was effectively a death blow to Seattle's season. Seattle would be eliminated from playoff contention a week later. Meanwhile, the Rams finished with a 12–5 record, winning the NFC West, and eventually winning Super Bowl LVI. The Seahawks finished the season at last place in the division with a 7–10 record, their first losing record since 2011.^[47]

During the 2022 off-season, Seattle traded longtime quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. Most notably during his time in Seattle, Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald had recorded 15 sacks against Seattle, more than any other opponent in Wilson’s career.^[48] The Seahawks also made the decision to release Pro Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner, the final remaining member of the Legion of Boom defense. Originally a native of Southern California, Wagner would ironically choose to sign with the Rams on March 31 for a 5-year contract worth up to $65 million.^[49]

In Week 13 of the 2022 season, the two teams met at SoFi Stadium. The Rams' dreams of defending their Super Bowl title fell apart as the team had fallen victim to a plethora of injuries, including injuries to key contributors Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald. During the game, the Rams' weakened offense and defense held their own. However, Seattle won 27–23 on a last-minute touchdown pass from Smith to star wide receiver DK Metcalf for the franchise's first victory in Los Angeles since 2017. The win allowed the Seahawks to keep pace in the NFC Wild Card race.

In the final week of the season, the eliminated and injury plagued Rams limped into Seattle with a 5–11 record, while the Seahawks entered the contest with an 8–8 record. Seattle needed a win and a Green Bay Packers loss or tie to make the playoffs. The Rams could have theoretically knocked the Seahawks out of the postseason with a victory, but the Seahawks beat them again, this time by a final score of 19–16, on a game-ending field goal in overtime by Seattle kicker Jason Myers. The victory was especially controversial, as many fans, coaches, and NFL executives pointed out that several questionable calls late in the game helped the Seahawks win and thus maintain their playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the calls directly hurt the Rams and indirectly hurt the Detroit Lions, who needed Seattle to lose in order to maintain their own playoff hopes. One anonymous source called the game "the worst officiated game of the year."^[50] Because the Lions defeated the Packers hours later, the Seahawks secured a wild card berth, but they would lose the NFC Wild Card game to the division champion San Francisco 49ers.^[51]

On September 2, 2023; the Seahawks signed former Rams' cornerback Robert Rochell to their roster.^[52]

The two teams met for the opening week of the 2023 season in Seattle.^[53] The Seahawks were heavy favorites to win the matchup as the Rams were coming off of an injury-plagued 5-win season the year before.^[54] Adding to the Rams' issues was star-receiver Cooper Kupp being ruled out of the game with a hamstring injury. Seahawks' receiver DK Metcalf made his hostility present as he taunted Rams' cornerback Derion Kendrick prior to his lone touchdown catch,^[55] and later dealt an illegal hit on Rams' cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon after the previous play; angering Sean McVay on the sidelines, though Metcalf would later be fined for taunting.^[56][57] Despite an early showing from Seattle in the first quarter which saw them leading 13–7 by the half; Geno Smith played particularly poorly through the game, only throwing for 117 yards while Matthew Stafford threw for 334. Rams' rookie receiver Puka Nacua dominated the Seahawks' secondary, making 10 catches for 119 yards in his debut.^[58][59] Rams' running backs Kyren Williams and Cam Akers managed to combine for 81 yards and three touchdowns, all but securing the victory by the third quarter after Brett Maher managed to complete three field goals.^[60] Following the game, Rams' cornerback Derion Kendrick made a further attack on Metcalf in a post, calling out his taunts during the catch.^[61]

The Rams later hosted the Seahawks for their week 11 matchup in Los Angeles. Seattle entered the game boasting a 6-3 record while the Rams struggled mightily as they limped into the game following 3 straight losses. Despite a lone touchdown to start the game; the Seahawks' offense became increasingly overwhelmed by the Rams' defense as they only managed two additional field goals to end the first half. Nearing the end of the third quarter; Geno Smith suffered a brutal tackle from Aaron Donald, that injured his elbow, forcing Seattle to play Drew Lock who played very poorly.^[62] Both sides continued to grow increasingly hostile with each other after a violent Suplex tackle on Rams' wide receiver Austin Trammell from Seahawks' rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon.^[63][64] The Rams' steadily cut the lead down to 2 points headed into the end of the fourth quarter, even managing a critical interception thrown by Lock.^[65][66][67] The Rams later took the lead by 1 point following a field goal, prompting Smith to return to the game for a possible drive despite his injured elbow. Desperate to regain the lead, the Seahawks managed two first down conversions to set up Jason Myers for a 55-yard field goal; desperate to retake the lead. Following a brief timeout from Sean McVay in an effort to ice Seattle's kicker;^[68] Myers later missed the field goal as it sailed wide-right; ending the game in a crushing fashion as the Rams managed to sweep the Seahawks for the first time since 2021.

Los Angeles finished the 2023 season with a 10-7 record and the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs, while Seattle finished with a 9-8 record and finished tied with the Green Bay Packers for the seventh seed. However, Green Bay eventually took the final playoff spot on the strength of victory tiebreaker.^[69] Seattle’s season was largely viewed as a collapse as they boasted a 6-3 record until their matchup against the Rams. Had Seattle won just one of its two games against the Rams, Seattle would have made the playoffs instead of Los Angeles.

Following the conclusion of the 2023 season; the Seahawks announced the departure of longtime coach Pete Carroll after 13 seasons, as he would be assigned to an administrative role within the organization. Following the announcement, Rams head coach Sean McVay later expressed respect for Carroll despite the rivalry; describing him as "the ultimate competitor".^[70] From 2017 to 2023; Sean McVay remained the only active head coach to boast a winning record against Carroll, going 10-5 against the Seahawks during that span. Seattle later announced the hiring of former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as their new head coach.^[71] Los Angeles would later sign former Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson during the offseason.^[72] Rams stalwart defensive tackle Aaron Donald later announced his retirement on March 15, 2024. Both teams had reportedly found themselves involved in a bidding war that offseason involving backup quarterback Sam Howell, though he eventually signed in an offer from the Seahawks.^[73][74]

Tensions escalated during the week 9 matchup between the two teams on November 3, 2024. During the 2nd quarter; Rams' star wide receiver Puka Nacua was ejected from the game for throwing a punch at Seahawks' linebacker Tyrel Dodson in retaliation after Dodson shoved Nacua to the ground during the previous play.^[75] The game saw an escalating battle in competition as Geno Smith turned the ball over 3 times before leading the Seahawks to a last second touchdown to lead the game into overtime. Despite this; the Rams won the game on a walk-off touchdown from receiver Demarcus Robinson.

• During the Rams' first regular season game after returning to Los Angeles on September 16, 2016; numerous fights broke out at the LA Coliseum during their matchup against the Seahawks. No police reports were filed but phone video recorded an altercation between a Rams fan and a Seahawks fan. While walking up the stadium's stairs; a Seahawks fan was punched by two Rams fans, knocking him back, unintentionally hitting a 9 year old Rams fan in attendance^[76][77][78]
• Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith (who is a Rams fan) made an appearance with the Seahawks' "Blue Thunder" drum line in November 2021.^[79] In response, the Rams reiterated a long-running joke of Smith's resemblance to actor Will Ferrell (who is a Seahawks fan), Smith attended a game at SoFi Stadium. The Rams social media team jokingly trolled Smith on the stadium jumbotron, displaying his picture next to Ferrell's.^[80][81]

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