Do Seahawks Play Today: The Rivalry Game That Changes Everything

Do Seahawks Play Today? Yes, and It’s a Massive One

If you’re checking your watch or staring at the calendar wondering do Seahawks play today, the answer is a resounding yes.

Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026.

This isn't just another game. We aren't in the dog days of October anymore. The Seattle Seahawks are hosting the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field for the NFC Divisional Round. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM PT (8:00 PM ET).

If you've been following this season, you know how wild it's been. Seattle finished the regular season with a stellar 14-3 record, clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC and that precious first-round bye. While the 49ers had to sweat through a Wild Card win against the Eagles last week, the Seahawks have been resting, scheming, and waiting.

Honestly, the energy in Seattle right now is kind of vibrating. People are calling it the "Death Zone" for a reason. The 12s are expected to push the decibel levels to 110+, and if you’ve ever stood on that turf when the stadium starts shaking, you know it’s a different beast entirely.

Everything You Need to Know for Kickoff

Why This Specific Game Matters So Much

You can’t talk about the Seahawks without talking about the 49ers. It’s basically a law of nature at this point. These two teams have already met twice this season, and the results were... well, they were something.

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In Week 1, the 49ers spoiled the home opener with a 17-13 win. It was a defensive slugfest that left everyone in Seattle feeling a bit uneasy about the new era under Mike Macdonald. But fast forward to Week 18, and the Seahawks got their revenge with a 13-3 victory down in Santa Clara to lock up the division.

So, here we are. The rubber match.

The Seahawks are currently 7-point favorites, which feels a bit high for a divisional rivalry, but Seattle has won 11 straight games when they’ve been the favorite. That’s a stat that makes bettors very happy and 49ers fans very nervous.

The Sam Darnold Factor

Let’s be real—if you told a Seahawks fan three years ago that Sam Darnold would be leading a 14-3 team into the playoffs as an All-Pro caliber starter, they’d have asked what you were drinking.

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But here we are. Darnold has been a revelation in Klint Kubiak's offense. He threw for over 4,000 yards this season and found a telepathic connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who shattered DK Metcalf’s single-season receiving record with a massive 1,793 yards.

There was a minor panic earlier this week when Darnold showed up on the injury report with an oblique issue. However, Coach Macdonald was pretty blunt on Friday, saying he’s "very confident" his QB is good to go. Darnold himself told reporters it’s mostly just "maintenance," so expect him under center today.

Matchup Insights: Strength vs. Strength

When you look at the numbers, this game is a collision of two very different philosophies. Seattle has the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL, allowing just 17.2 points per game. On the flip side, San Francisco’s offense, led by Brock Purdy and the ever-dangerous Christian McCaffrey, is still a top-10 unit despite some mid-season stumbles.

• Seattle's Ground Game: Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet have been a two-headed monster. They’ll be testing a 49ers run defense that is missing a huge piece in Fred Warner, who is officially OUT for today’s game with an ankle injury. That's a massive blow for San Francisco.
• The Niners' Passing Attack: Brock Purdy hasn't been quite as explosive lately, failing to exceed 34.5 pass attempts in eight straight games. They’ve been leaning on the run, but against Seattle’s secondary—led by Devon Witherspoon—throwing the ball into tight windows is a recipe for disaster.
• Special Teams: Keep an eye on Rashid Shaheed. Since Seattle traded for him in November, he’s been a nightmare for opposing punters. In a game that could be decided by a single field goal, field position is everything.

How to Watch the Game

If you aren't one of the lucky ones with a ticket to Lumen Field, you've got plenty of options. FOX has the national broadcast. If you're out and about, you can stream it on the FOX Sports app, but you'll need a cable login.

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For the cord-cutters, Fubo is usually the go-to because they carry the local FOX affiliates. NFL+ will also have the game on mobile devices.

If you’re local to Seattle and want to skip the TV commentary, turn your radio to 710 AM or 97.3 FM. Steve Raible’s "Touchdown Seahawks!" call is basically the soundtrack of the city anyway.

Surprising Facts About This Playoff Run

Most people forget that the Seahawks haven't actually hosted a playoff game with a full stadium in nearly a decade.

Sure, they won the NFC West in 2020 and hosted a game, but that was during the pandemic. The stands were empty. The last time the 12s actually got to scream their lungs out for a home playoff win was back in early 2017 against the Detroit Lions.

That’s a long time for a fanbase this passionate to be waiting.

There's also the "Mike Macdonald Effect." In just his second season, he’s turned a defense that was porous into the most feared unit in the league. They’ve broken the franchise record for point differential (+191), surpassing even the 2013 Super Bowl team.

Actionable Steps for Fans Today

Since you now know the answer to do Seahawks play today, it’s time to prep.

1. Check the weather: It’s looking like a typical Seattle January evening—around 40°F with a light breeze. If you’re going to the game, layers are your best friend.
2. Plan your commute: Sound Transit is running extra "Sounder" trains today from Everett and Lakewood specifically for the game. Traffic near SODO is going to be a nightmare starting around 2:00 PM, so leave early.
3. Update your apps: If you're streaming, make sure your apps are updated now so you aren't fighting a "required update" screen right at kickoff.
4. Gear up: The team has officially announced they are wearing the all-college navy uniform combo.

The winner of today’s game moves on to the NFC Championship next Sunday. If Seattle wins, they stay right here at Lumen Field. If they lose... well, let’s not even think about that. The road to the Super Bowl runs through Seattle, and it starts today at 5:00 PM.

Make sure your snacks are ready and your jersey is on; the quest for the second ring continues now.