Rams vs. Seahawks rivalry history: Updated all-time record and best games from NFL's NFC West rivalry

Jake Mozarsky

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Rams vs. Seahawks rivalry history: Updated all-time record and best games from NFL's NFC West rivalry image

© Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Born in 1976 as an expansion-year experiment and forged in the fire of the 2002 realignment, the rivalry between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks has evolved into one of the premier matchups in the NFL. Specifically in the 21st century, Seattle and Los Angeles have constantly been in the fold of the NFL's elite and have had memorable matchups over the years.

From the 1979 defensive masterclass where the Rams held Seattle to a record-breaking -7 total yards, to the surreal backward-lateral two-point conversion that defied a referee’s whistle to spark an improbable Seahawks comeback in 2025 — this series has had its memorable moments.

The rivalry has long served as a premier stage for Hall of Fame talents to deliver some of their most dominant career performances. In 2005, Shaun Alexander cemented his MVP legacy by torching the Rams for 165 yards and three touchdowns, a performance that propelled Seattle toward their first Super Bowl appearance. Years later, Todd Gurley returned the favor in 2017, putting on a "fantasy football" clinic with 180 total yards and four touchdowns in just over two quarters, a lopsided victory that signaled a power shift in the NFC West under the Sean McVay era.

While Russell Wilson famously spent a decade orchestrating late-game escapes against the Rams' relentless pass rush, recent history has been defined by Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. After achieving the Triple Crown and Super Bowl MVP honors with the Rams in 2021, Kupp’s joined Seattle in the 2025 offseason, adding a complex layer of lore to the matchup. Whether it’s a defensive shutdown or a high-scoring shootout, these stars have consistently used this rivalry to define their own greatness.

Here's the complete history of the Seahawks-Rams rivalry.

MORE: Ranking the best Seahawks ever

Rams vs. Seahawks all-time record

To date, Seattle holds the narrowest of margins in the series.

The Seahawks own a 29–28 all-time record against the Rams, a mark that dates back to the Rams' 45–6 blowout in their first meeting in 1976. When it comes to the playoffs, however, the Rams have maintained perfect control in limited matchups.

TeamRegular Season WinsPlayoff WinsTies
Seahawks2900
Rams2620

MORE: Russell Wilson's family tree

Why is Rams vs. Seahawks a rivalry?

While the teams' first meeting was back in 1976, the rivalry really started in 2002 when the NFL moved the Seahawks from the AFC West to the NFC West. This forced them to play twice a year, instantly creating dynamic as both teams fought for divisional dominance.

Though, there was history before the two teams were in the same division. In 1996, before Microsoft CEO Paul Allen bought the team, the Seahawks' former owner Ken Behring actually tried to move the team to Los Angeles. He even held team practices at the Rams' old facility in Anaheim. Seattle fans have never forgotten that their team almost became the "L.A. Seahawks."

Recently, the Rams-Seahawks rivalry has become magnetized because of the teams' success in the 21st century. Both Los Angeles and Seattle have one Super Bowl title since 2010 and have consistently been the cream of the crop in the NFC West. Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford each won their first Super Bowl ring as members of the Seahawks and Rams, respectively; Wilson's came in only his second season, while Stafford's came in his first with the Rams.

Much of the modern rivalry has been defined by the clash between Pete Carroll and Sean McVay — coaches separated by 35 years in age but united by a mutual, hyper-competitive respect. While Carroll’s "Legion of Boom" era preceded McVay’s arrival, the two spent seven years (2017–2023) locked in a battle for the NFC West.

While Carroll moved to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, his blueprint remains etched in Seattle’s DNA. Mike Macdonald's current Seahawks staff continues to use the defensive philosophies Carroll instilled to counter McVay’s high-powered schemes.

MORE: Matthew Stafford's family tree

When was the first Rams vs. Seahawks game?

The first meeting between the Rams and the Seahawks took place on October 31, 1976.

In that inaugural matchup, the Rams soundly defeated the expansion Seahawks 45–6 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The game was a defensive nightmare for Seattle. By the end of the first quarter, they were already trailing 24–0, thanks in part to a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown by Rams cornerback Monte Jackson.

The Rams outgained the Seahawks on the ground significantly. While Seattle’s Sherman Smith was held to just 7 yards, the Rams' backfield —led by Rod Phillips and Lawrence McCutcheon — combined for over 200 rushing yards. Even in the blowout, a young Steve Largent caught two passes for 14 yards, marking one of the earliest glimpses of the Hall of Fame career he would build in Seattle.

While the Rams dominated the early years of the series — winning the first four contests — the rivalry shifted dramatically in 2002 when Seattle moved to the NFC West, ensuring they would meet at least twice every season.

MORE: Inside Sean McVay's playoff record

Rams vs. Seahawks rivalry stats 

Aside from the head-to-head stats, the Rams and Seahawks stand out as two of the NFL's iconic franchises.

RamsStatSeahawks
636Regular Season Wins416
611Regular Season Losses376
21Regular Season Ties1
.510Win Percentage.525
2NFL Champs (1920–1965)0
2Super Bowl Wins (1966–Present)1
5Super Bowl Appearances3
29–29Playoff Record18–19
4Longest Rivalry Win Streak10

MORE: Bobby Wagner's career timeline with the Seahawks and Rams

Most memorable Rams vs. Seahawks games

Since that 1976 blowout, there have been some iconic Rams-Seahawks games, especially once the two were in the same division.

Rams 24, Seahawks 0 (Nov. 4, 1979)

In perhaps the most dominant defensive performance in NFL history, the Rams held Seattle to a record-shattering -7 total yards of offense. The Seahawks finished with 23 rushing yards and -30 net passing yards, a statistical anomaly that remains a cornerstone of rivalry lore.

Rams 33, Seahawks 27 (Oct. 10, 2004)

In one of the most stunning comebacks in the rivalry's history, the Rams overcame a 17-point deficit in the final six minutes of regulation to shock the Seahawks at Qwest Field. Trailing 27–10, St. Louis surged back with two quick touchdown passes from Marc Bulger and a clutch 36-yard field goal from Jeff Wilkins with just seconds remaining to force overtime.

The momentum carried into the extra period, where Bulger connected with Shaun McDonald for a walk-off 52-yard touchdown on the third play of the opening drive, sealing a 33–27 victory and handing Seattle their first loss of the 2004 season.

Rams 27, Seahawks 20 (Jan. 8, 2005)

After losing twice to the Rams in the regular season, the Seahawks hosted them for a playoff "rubber match." The Rams won a 27–20 thriller, completing a rare 3-0 seasonal sweep of their rivals and cementing their dominance during the "Greatest Show on Turf" years.

Rams 16, Seahawks 6 (Jan. 2, 2011)

In a Week 17 "win-and-in" game, the Seahawks defeated the Rams 16–6 to become the first team in NFL history to win a division with a losing record. This game birthed the "Beast Quake" era, as Seattle parlayed that controversial playoff berth into a legendary upset of the defending champion Saints the following week.

Seahawks 14, Rams 9 (Oct. 28. 2013)

In a game where the eventual Super Bowl champion Seahawks were held to just 135 yards of offense and Russell Wilson was sacked seven times, Seattle relied on their defense to survive. With the Rams trailing 14–9 and the ball on the 1-yard line in the final seconds, the "Legion of Boom" stuffed Daryl Richardson on third down and forced an incomplete pass on fourth down as time expired.

This "ugly" win moved Seattle to 7–1, their best start in franchise history, and proved they could win even when their offense was completely neutralized.

Rams 28, Seahawks 26 (Oct. 19, 2014)

In one of the more clever special teams plays in NFL history, Rams returner Tavon Austin successfully faked a fair catch on one side of the field, drawing the entire Seattle coverage unit with him. Meanwhile, the ball actually landed on the opposite side, where Stedman Bailey caught it and ran 90 yards untouched for a touchdown.

Later in the same game as the "hidden ball" return, the Rams secured a 28–26 victory with a daring fake punt deep in their own territory. Punter Johnny Hekker—a notorious Seahawks-killer—threw an 18-yard strike to Benny Cunningham on 4th-and-3 with just minutes remaining, preventing Russell Wilson from getting the ball back for a final drive.

Rams 30, Seahawks 20 (Jan. 9, 2021)

In a game defined by physical defense, the Rams went into Seattle and snapped the Seahawks' 10-game home playoff winning streak. Despite playing with a Jared Goff who had a recently surgically repaired thumb, the Rams' defense sacked Russell Wilson five times to secure a 30–20 victory.

Seahawks 38, Rams 37 (Dec. 18, 2025)

The most recent rendition of the Rams-Seahawks rivalry was a big one, with the teams tied for the top of the NFC West and the conference's No. 1 seed. While Los Angeles had sole control of the game, it quickly became the Seahawks' moment.

Trailing by 16 points in the fourth quarter, Seattle staged an improbable comeback punctuated by a surreal two-point conversion. A Sam Darnold pass was ruled a backward lateral upon review, allowing Zach Charbonnet to scoop the "live" ball for a score that forced overtime.

In the extra period, the Rams scored first with a Puka Nacua touchdown, but Darnold led Seattle down the field, hitting Jaxson Smith-Njigba for a touchdown and Eric Saubert for a two-point conversion to win.

MORE: Complete list of Super Bowl MVP winners through the years

Editorial Team