Honestly, if you missed the regular-season finale, the final score on the Seahawks game doesn't even begin to tell the whole story. On paper, a 13-3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers looks like a bit of a slog. A defensive grind. Maybe even a little boring for the casual fan. But for anyone watching at Levi’s Stadium on January 3rd, it was a coaching masterclass by Mike Macdonald that basically flipped the NFC hierarchy on its head.
Seattle didn't just win. They took the 49ers' lunch money.
By clinching that 13-3 win, the Seahawks finished the regular season at 14-3. More importantly, they secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC. That means everything in today's NFL. It means a week of rest. It means the road to the Super Bowl goes through a deafening Lumen Field.
Why the Score on the Seahawks Game Was Lower Than Expected
Most people expected a shootout. You’ve got Brock Purdy and a high-flying Niners offense against a Seattle team that has put up 40 points multiple times this season. Instead, we got a throwback. Zach Charbonnet set the tone early with a 27-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. That was it for the touchdowns. Seriously.
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The rest of the game was a game of field goals and field position. Jason Myers knocked through a 45-yarder and a 31-yarder. The Niners could only muster a lone field goal from Eddy Piñeiro.
Seattle’s defense was the real story. They held San Francisco to just 22 rushing yards. Total. That is almost unheard of against a Kyle Shanahan team. Drake Thomas, the rookie linebacker, essentially iced the game when he picked off Purdy at the Seattle 3-yard line late in the fourth. If that ball goes the other way, we’re talking about a completely different score on the Seahawks game.
Breaking Down the Key Stats
The box score is weirdly lopsided for a 10-point game.
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Seattle outgained San Francisco 348 to 236 in total yards. They dominated the clock, holding the ball for nearly 35 minutes. Sam Darnold, who has been surprisingly steady, didn't have to do too much besides manage the game and avoid mistakes. He finished with zero interceptions, while the Seahawks' defense forced turnovers and stopped the Niners on 10 of their 12 third-down attempts.
The Playoff Implications
So, what does this mean now? Because of that win, Seattle sat home last weekend during the Wild Card round. They watched the 49ers narrowly escape the Philadelphia Eagles with a 23-19 win.
Now, the rematch is set.
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The 49ers have to travel back up to Seattle this Saturday, January 17th, for the Divisional Round. It’s the rubber match. The Niners won the first meeting back in September (17-13), and Seattle won this recent one. It's basically the heavyweight fight of the year in the NFC.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s a common narrative that Seattle’s offense is "cooling off" because they only scored 13 points. That’s a mistake. They weren't struggling; they were suffocating the game. Macdonald knew that as long as they didn't turn the ball over, the Niners couldn't move the ball against his front seven.
- Zach Charbonnet: 17 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD. He was the engine.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 6 catches for 84 yards. He’s becoming a true WR1.
- The Defense: 4 sacks and a crucial red-zone interception.
If you’re looking at the score on the Seahawks game and thinking Seattle is vulnerable, you’re missing the nuance of how they controlled the line of scrimmage. They took away the run and made San Francisco one-dimensional.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Round
If you're following the Seahawks into the playoffs, keep your eyes on the injury report this week. Rest is the biggest factor. While the 49ers had to battle through a physical game against Philly, Seattle's veterans like DK Metcalf and Leonard Williams got a much-needed break.
- Watch the Trenches: If Seattle holds the Niners under 80 rushing yards again, the game is over.
- Third Down Efficiency: Seattle was 7-for-16 on third downs in the last game; they need to stay above 40% to keep Purdy off the field.
- Home Field Advantage: Remember, Lumen Field is statistically one of the hardest places to play in January. The crowd noise frequently causes "silent count" issues for visiting teams.
The kickoff for the rematch is scheduled for 5:00 PM PST on Saturday, January 17, 2026. It will be broadcast on FOX. If you're planning to attend, expect ticket prices to skyrocket—this is the most anticipated game in the Pacific Northwest in nearly a decade. Make sure your jerseys are ready; the quest for another ring is officially in high gear.