If you haven’t been glued to the TV lately, you might be asking yourself: are seahawks in the playoffs? Well, the short answer is a massive "yes." But honestly, they aren’t just "in" it. They are the team everyone is terrified to play right now.
Seattle didn't just stumble into a Wild Card spot this year. They absolutely tore through the NFC, finishing the 2025 regular season with a dominant 14-3 record. That was enough to secure the No. 1 seed in the conference. If you're a fan, you’ve likely been enjoying a very relaxed week while the rest of the league was beating each other up in the Wild Card round.
The Road to the No. 1 Seed
It’s been a wild ride. Mike Macdonald, in just his second year as head coach, has completely transformed the identity of this team. They used to be known for "cooking" with Russ or surviving on Geno’s late-game heroics. Now? They’re a juggernaut.
They clinched the top seed in the most dramatic way possible—by suffocating the San Francisco 49ers in a 13-3 defensive masterclass during Week 18. That win didn't just give them the NFC West crown; it gave them the only bye week in the NFC.
While the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys were grinding out tough games, the Seahawks were resting. Recovering. Getting Sam Darnold’s oblique injury sorted out. Speaking of Darnold, his comeback story has been nothing short of a movie script. Seattle signed him to a three-year, $100.5 million deal to replace Geno Smith, and he responded by throwing absolute dots to Jaxon Smith-Njigba all year.
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Smith-Njigba actually broke DK Metcalf’s single-season receiving record, racking up 1,793 yards. Yeah, you read that right.
Who Do the Seahawks Play Next?
Since Seattle had the bye, they had to wait for the Wild Card results to see who the lowest-seeded survivor would be.
Fate is a funny thing in the NFL. The lowest remaining seed heading into the Divisional Round is none other than the San Francisco 49ers. They just knocked off the Eagles on the road, and now they have to travel back to Lumen Field.
- Game Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
- Channel: FOX
- Location: Lumen Field, Seattle
This is the "rubber match." The Niners took the first game in Week 1, and the Seahawks took the second in Week 18. The stakes this time? A trip to the NFC Championship.
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Why Seattle is Actually the Favorite
Kinda feels like people are sleeping on the defense. Leonard Williams and Devon Witherspoon both earned All-Pro nods, and they’ve been the backbone of a unit that finished with a +191 point differential. That’s a franchise record, even better than the legendary 2013 Super Bowl team.
The run game is also peaking at the perfect time. Kenneth Walker III just crossed the 1,000-yard mark again, and Zach Charbonnet has become a monster on third-and-long. In their last three games, they’ve been averaging over 170 yards on the ground. When you can run the ball like that in January, you’re almost impossible to beat.
What to Watch For on Saturday
Keep an eye on the injury report. Sam Darnold gave fans a scare with that oblique issue, but he told reporters the chances of him missing the game are "closer to zero."
Also, watch the crowd. Lumen Field is going to be deafening. The "12s" haven't had a home playoff game like this in a few years, and the atmosphere is going to be electric.
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Basically, the Seahawks are the team to beat. They have the home-field advantage all the way through the playoffs. If they win on Saturday, they’ll host either the Los Angeles Rams or the Chicago Bears next week for the right to go to Super Bowl LX.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Weather: Seattle in January is unpredictable. If it’s raining, expect a heavy dose of Kenneth Walker III.
- Update Your Gear: If you're heading to the game, the Pro Shop at Lumen Field has been stocking limited edition "NFC West Champions" merch.
- Set Your DVR: With an 8:00 PM ET start, this game will likely run late. Make sure you’ve got enough space for a four-hour broadcast.
Seattle is in the driver's seat. The path to the Super Bowl goes through the Pacific Northwest.