That was clinical. If you’re looking for the Seattle Seahawks final score from the regular-season finale, it was Seattle 13, San Francisco 3. It wasn't the kind of high-flying, pass-heavy shootout that fantasy owners love, but for Seahawks fans, it was basically a defensive masterpiece that secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The vibes heading into the playoffs are immaculate. By clinching that top spot with a 14-3 record, Mike Macdonald didn’t just win a game; he set a franchise record for regular-season victories. That’s huge. Honestly, nobody expected this kind of defensive dominance when the season kicked off, especially after that shaky Week 1 loss to these same Niners.
Breaking Down the 13-3 Scoreboard
Let’s look at how we actually got to that 13-3 tally. It started with a bang. Zach Charbonnet took a handoff on 3rd & 2 in the first quarter and basically teleported 27 yards into the end zone. 7-0. That was the only touchdown of the entire game.
Think about that for a second. In a league that is obsessed with offense, the Seahawks held a Brock Purdy-led unit to just a single field goal. Jason Myers did the rest of the heavy lifting for Seattle, knocking through a 45-yarder in the second and a 31-yarder to seal the deal in the fourth.
The 49ers' only points came from a 48-yard Eddy Piñeiro field goal late in the first half. That was it. Seattle’s defense, led by the likes of Leonard Williams and Devon Witherspoon, turned Levi’s Stadium into a graveyard for offensive drives. San Francisco converted just 2 of 12 third downs. That is a disgusting stat if you’re a Niners fan.
✨ Don't miss: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
Why This Score Mattered More Than Most
You've got to realize the stakes were massive. This wasn't just a Week 18 "get through it healthy" game. Seattle needed this win to jump the Rams and the 49ers for the division title and that coveted first-round bye.
- Franchise History: 14 wins is a new high-water mark for the organization, surpassing the 13-3 mark from the 2013 Super Bowl run.
- The Defense: They finished the year as the #1 scoring defense in the NFL, allowing only 17.2 points per game.
- JSN’s Record: While he didn't score in this specific finale, Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished the regular season with 1,793 receiving yards, shattering DK Metcalf’s previous franchise record.
The game was played in cloudy, 55°F (13°C) weather with high humidity, which sort of matched the "grind-it-out" energy on the field. Sam Darnold wasn't flashy—20 for 26 for 198 yards—but he was efficient. He didn't turn the ball over. In a game like this, that’s the entire job description.
The Defensive Stand of the Year
The turning point that kept the score at 13-3 happened in the fourth quarter. San Francisco finally put together a drive and had a 2nd-and-goal at the Seattle 3-yard line. It felt like the momentum was shifting. Then, Drake Thomas stepped in front of a Purdy pass for an interception.
Game over.
🔗 Read more: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
Levi’s Stadium started emptying out shortly after that. It's rare to see a Seahawks team travel to the Bay Area and just suck the soul out of the crowd like that. Mike Macdonald’s scheme is clearly a nightmare for the Kyle Shanahan tree.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Seahawks
A lot of national media pundits kept waiting for the "Sam Darnold regression." It never really came. Sure, he’s not prime Russell Wilson, but with Klint Kubiak calling plays, the offense did exactly what it needed to do to support the league’s best defense.
People also underestimated the impact of the Rashid Shaheed trade. Even when he isn't the primary target, his vertical threat opens up everything for JSN and Kenneth Walker III. Walker quietly put up 1,027 rushing yards this season, including a tough 97-yard performance in this Week 18 win.
The Road Ahead: The Divisional Rematch
Because the NFL scriptwriters love drama, the Seahawks are hosting the 49ers again this Saturday, January 17, at 5:00 PM PT. This will be the third meeting of the year.
💡 You might also like: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
The Seahawks are coming off their bye week, while the 49ers had to battle through the Wild Card round. Expect Lumen Field to be absolutely deafening. Fox is sending their "A-Team," meaning you'll hear Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt on the call.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Round
If you're tracking the Seahawks for the playoffs, keep these specific factors in mind for the rematch at Lumen Field.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall were banged up in the finale but are expected to play after the bye week. Their pressure on Purdy is the "secret sauce" of this defense.
- Watch the 3rd Down Battle: Seattle wins when they stay on schedule. In the 13-3 win, they went 7-for-16 on third down. If they drop below 35%, the defense spends too much time on the field.
- Home Field Advantage: Seattle went 6-2 at home this year. The 12s will be a factor, especially against a Niners team that looked rattled by the noise in Week 1.
- Weather Factor: Seattle in mid-January is usually wet and windy. This favors Seattle’s ground game with Charbonnet and Walker over the 49ers' timing-based passing attack.
To stay prepared for the Saturday kickoff, make sure your gear is ready for a "Blue Friday" and verify the local broadcast schedule, as the game will be airing nationally on FOX. The winner heads straight to the NFC Championship game, and right now, the road to the Super Bowl runs through Seattle.