The NFL schedule release is always a moment of high anticipation, and this year’s projected slate has already delivered a major twist for one of the league’s most heated rivalries. According to leaks circulating ahead of the official Thursday release, the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks—two teams that have defined the NFC West with their intense battles—won’t face off until the final stretch of the 2026 season.

This is a surprising turn for a rivalry that produced three memorable meetings last year, including an epic NFC Championship Game that saw the Seahawks claim the title. Instead of their usual mid-season clashes, the Rams and defending champion Seahawks are now projected to meet twice in the final three weeks: Week 16 and Week 18. That means the division crown—and possibly playoff seeding—could be decided in a dramatic late-season showdown.

For fans, this scheduling quirk adds an extra layer of excitement. Last season, the two teams squared off in November and December, building tension throughout the year. Now, with both squads loaded with talent—Seattle fresh off a Super Bowl victory and the Rams boasting one of the deepest rosters in football—the wait will only fuel the intensity. Every snap leading up to those late-season games will carry extra weight, as both teams aim to prove they’re the class of the NFC West.

Whether you’re repping Rams blue and gold or Seahawks navy and green, this schedule shift promises a thrilling conclusion to the season. Get ready for a December that could define the entire 2026 campaign.