When the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams face off in Week 11, it’s more than just another game, it’s a preview of a potential NFC champion. Both teams have spent the first half of the 2025 season proving they are legitimate contenders, not through hype, but through pure on-field dominance. Seattle boasts a historically explosive passing attack, while Los Angeles arrives with one of the most efficient and well-coordinated offenses in football. With both defenses also playing at a top-tier level, this matchup feels less like a November game and more like a January showdown that could determine who represents the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Both Teams Are Elite And the Numbers Prove It
Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith
Nov 3, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) greet each other following an overtime victory by the Rams at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
This showdown carries significant weight because both teams are playing at a near-championship level, and the numbers support this assessment. Seattle enters the week ranked No. 1 in FTN’s DVOA, with the Rams sitting right behind them at No. 2. This marks only the 13th time since 2000 that the top two DVOA teams have met this late in a season. While Seattle’s defense has been incredibly stingy, allowing just 18.8 points per game through eight games, the Rams have been rolling thanks to Matthew Stafford’s sharp play. His 2,147 passing yards and 7.8 yards per throw have made their attack one of the year’s strongest. This isn’t about flukes or lucky breaks; each squad’s consistent performance proves why this game has everyone’s attention.
Balanced Offensive and Defensive Firepower
Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to the impressive metrics, this game pits two of the most well-rounded teams in the NFC against each other. The Rams boast one of the fiercest air assaults in football. Meanwhile, Seattle combines sharp scoring with a ground game that is heating up at the right time, having just rushed for 198 yards against Arizona. On the other side of the ball, each team’s defensive line consistently applies pressure on opposing quarterbacks, turning every drive into a tense battle. Winning a game like this proves a team can handle all phases, from offense to defense to special teams, when facing top competition, which is what separates true title threats from the pretenders.
Result Will Influence NFC Playoff Picture
Jamal Adams
Jan 9, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams yells to the sidelines during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
This game isn’t happening in a vacuum; its outcome is directly tied to how the NFC will shape up in December and January. When two teams this highly ranked by DVOA face off, the winner often gains a crucial edge for a prime playoff spot. This contest is especially key, as both teams entered the week near the top of the NFC West and the wider conference standings. Seattle’s special teams, ranked second in DVOA, adds another layer to the matchup. At the same time, the Rams’ completeness, with an efficient run game, explosive passing, and multi-tight-end formations, gives them a structure built for playoff success.
Regardless of which side emerges victorious, this matchup will inevitably alter tiebreaker advantages, team morale, and playoff positioning, shifting the power dynamic across the NFC. With both squads having short injury lists and strong production, the result here will feel less like a random outcome and more like a definitive statement of control in the conference playoff push.