A lucky mistake? Seahawks’ Lawrence disputes McVay’s claim

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay called it a “fortuitous bust.”

Seattle Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence called it “Law logic” – a nod to his “D-Law” nickname and the wisdom he’s accrued over a decorated 12-year NFL career.

When GM Schneider felt Super Bowl-bound Seahawks were ‘ahead of schedule’

The play in question came during the most pivotal moment of Sunday night’s NFC Championship. Trailing 31-27 with 4:59 to play, the Rams were facing a fourth-and-4 from the Seattle 6-yard line. It was the NFL’s top-ranked scoring offense against the league’s top-ranked scoring defense, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

As Rams star quarterback Matthew Stafford took the snap out of shotgun, running back Kyren Williams sprinted out of the backfield toward the left side of the end zone. In the process, Williams raced past safety Julian Love, who initially appeared to blitz Stafford before frantically trying to recover and catch up with Williams.

Stafford looked at Williams and would have had an easy touchdown pass – except for one problem.

Lawrence, who had lined up alongside Love at the line of scrimmage, had also dropped into coverage and was blanketing Williams over the top.

So instead, Stafford looked elsewhere. Eventually, he tried to hit rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson in the back of the end zone, but three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon broke up the pass to force a turnover on downs. That allowed the Seahawks to mount a clock-chewing drive that essentially sealed the victory and sent the franchise to its first Super Bowl in over a decade.

After the game, McVay claimed that Lawrence dropping into coverage was a lucky mistake by Seattle.

“They kind of lucked into having two guys peel on Kyren right there,” McVay said. “I know that can’t be part of their design. It was a fortuitous bust by them.”

SEAHAWKS STOP THE RAMS INSIDE THE 10.

LARvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/hBGhi8eaxt

— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2026

Lawrence, however, disputed that notion when speaking to the media on Thursday.

The five-time Pro Bowl defensive end said he dropped into coverage out of instinct once it became clear Love was in trouble.

“I understood that the back was flaring,” Lawrence said in a video posted by ESPN’s Brady Henderson on social media. “Love came down (and) he let me know he was here, so that means he has the back. But the back flared out so fast, I knew it was a funky look and I had to use my Law logic and help out.”

What prompted the 33-year-old Lawrence to drop into coverage instead of rush the passer?

“The back was (coming out) too fast,” Lawrence said. “If it was a regular design and the back wasn’t (coming out) as hot, he would have waited to see if Julian was going to rush first and then flare it out. But he didn’t wait. So that was definitely an indicator. … If the back is flaring out that fast, that means that (route’s) hot, so (the quarterback) is going to the back first.

“And playing football as long as I’ve played it, I’ve seen so many formations and schemes, you start to pick up on those things.”

Lawrence then smiled and added a tongue-in-cheek quip: “Like McVay said, a fortuitous bust.”

More Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl coverage

• Super Bowl Injury Report: Seahawks, Patriots hit practice field
• The Super Bowl uniforms for Seahawks and Patriots are set
• Jeremiah: Seattle Seahawks have more talent, but Pats have 3 to worry about
• Seahawks could make Super Bowl a nightmare for Pats QB Drake Maye
• Tom Brady details big difference between Seattle Seahawks’ D and the LOB

Related

Seattle Seahawks are adding a new set of throwback uniformsWhy Seahawks are uniquely positioned for repeat title questSeahawks All-Pro WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba says success won’t change himNFC West: 49ers starting nose tackle injures knee in Australia, out for seasonSeattle Sports Radio Info: How to hear Seahawks opener, Mariners vs RangersDaniel Jeremiah: Seahawks’ O-line can be among NFL’s best