In a pivotal moment during the NFC Championship Game on January 26, 2026, the Los Angeles Rams faced a critical setback when rookie Xavier Smith muffed a punt. This misstep occurred shortly after a Rams defensive stop while the Seattle Seahawks held a narrow lead of 17-13 early in the third quarter. The Seahawks capitalized on this turnover, ultimately defeating the Rams 31-27 and securing their place in the Super Bowl.
Following the game, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford expressed his support for Smith, acknowledging the emotional toll of such mistakes in high-pressure situations. When asked about his message to the young player, Stafford stated, “I told him that I love him. And I do. The guy wants to go out there and make every play he possibly can, and sometimes it doesn’t happen.” He emphasized that despite the turnover, it did not diminish his respect for Smith as a person or a player.
The immediate aftermath of Smith’s error saw the Seahawks extend their lead. On the following play, Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold connected with wide receiver Jake Bobo for a 17-yard touchdown, pushing the score to 24-13. From that point, the Seahawks maintained their advantage, controlling the game until the final whistle.
Strong support for Smith was echoed by Stafford, who remarked, “Love the guy. Trust him and wish nothing but the best for him. Obviously, a mistake that he doesn’t want to have happen. But we had our opportunities after that to grab hold of the game and make enough plays to win. We just didn’t do it.”
Post-Game Reflections and Future Opportunities
After the match, Stafford also took a moment to congratulate former teammate Cooper Kupp, who now plays for the Seahawks. In their brief interaction, Stafford wished Kupp “good luck” for Seattle’s upcoming Super Bowl matchup against the New England Patriots on February 8, 2026. Kupp, reflecting on Stafford’s competitive spirit, stated, “Matthew’s the man. Ultimate competitor, one of the best to ever play the position. I love the guy, and every time he has the ball, it’s freaking terrifying.”
As the Rams reflect on their season and the missed opportunities, players like Stafford and Smith will likely spend the coming months contemplating the critical moments that shaped their NFC Championship experience. The focus will be on learning from these setbacks as they prepare for the next season, hoping to capitalize on the lessons learned from this challenging defeat.
