Seattle Seahawks game time on Sunday: Why the schedule has everyone checking twice

Seattle Seahawks game time on Sunday: Why the schedule has everyone checking twice

If you’re scrambling to find the Seattle Seahawks game time on Sunday, I have some news that might make you toss your remote in frustration—or sigh with relief.

The Seahawks aren't playing on Sunday.

Wait. Don't close the tab yet.

Because the NFL schedule-makers love a bit of weekend chaos, the top-seeded Seahawks are actually headlining the Saturday night slot for the NFC Divisional Round. If you wait until Sunday afternoon to crack a beer and settle into the couch, you’ll be watching highlights of a game that already happened.

The Saturday Night Shift: Seattle Seahawks game time on Sunday (and why it's not)

NFL fans are creatures of habit. Sunday is for football. It’s a ritual. But when the playoffs hit the Divisional Round, the league splits the games across the weekend to maximize those sweet, sweet television ratings.

For the 2025-26 postseason, the Seattle Seahawks game time on Sunday is technically nonexistent because they’ve been handed the "Prime Time Saturday" mantle.

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Here is the actual breakdown for the game against the San Francisco 49ers:

  • Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026.
  • Kickoff: 5:15 PM PT (Local Seattle Time) / 8:15 PM ET.
  • Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle.
  • Broadcast: FOX.

So, if you were looking for the Seattle Seahawks game time on Sunday, you’re actually looking for the Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (Noon PT) or the Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (3:30 PM PT). Those are the Sunday games. If you want to see the Hawks, you need to be ready a day earlier.

Why the Saturday slot matters for the 12s

Honestly, a Saturday night game at Lumen Field is a completely different beast than a Sunday afternoon kickoff. The "12s" have a reputation for being the loudest in the league, but there is something about the "under the lights" energy that cranks the decibel level up even higher.

Ever tried to hold a conversation while a jet engine is idling next to you? That’s Lumen on a Saturday night in January.

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Because Seattle secured the No. 1 seed with a staggering 14-3 record under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, they earned the right to stay home. This isn't just about travel; it's about the fact that the 49ers have to fly into a stadium where the ground literally shakes.

The Mike Macdonald Effect

Nobody expected this. Seriously. When Pete Carroll moved on, the narrative was "rebuild." Instead, Macdonald—the former Ravens defensive guru—turned Seattle into the most feared scoring defense in the NFL, allowing just 17.2 points per game.

He didn't just keep the "Legion of Boom" legacy alive; he modernized it.

The Hawks aren't just winning; they're suffocating people. They beat these same 49ers in Week 18 to clinch the division and the bye. People think that gives Seattle the edge, but Macdonald has been vocal this week about not getting complacent. He knows Kyle Shanahan is a wizard at adjustments.

Who actually plays during the Seattle Seahawks game time on Sunday?

If you still have that Sunday slot cleared on your calendar and you're a Seahawks fan, you’re basically scouting.

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You should be watching the Rams at Bears game (6:40 PM ET / 3:40 PM PT on NBC). Why? Because if the Seahawks take care of business on Saturday night, they will host the winner of that game in the NFC Championship.

It’s a weird feeling for Seattle fans to root for the Rams, but a divisional rematch at home for a trip to the Super Bowl? That’s the kind of drama that keeps the Pacific Northwest awake at night.

Tactical things to watch for this weekend:

  1. Devon Witherspoon’s movement: He’s been the chess piece Macdonald uses to ruin Brock Purdy’s rhythm.
  2. The Oblique Injury: News out of the 49ers camp suggests Sam Darnold (the backup who played in Week 18) might have to be ready if Purdy’s health wavers, though Purdy is expected to start.
  3. Kenneth Walker III: In the last matchup, Walker and Zach Charbonnet chewed up over 170 yards. If they do that again on Saturday, Sunday will just be a day of celebration in Seattle.

How to watch and stream (The Logistics)

Since there is no Seattle Seahawks game time on Sunday, you need to make sure your Saturday streaming setup is solid.

The game is on FOX. If you’ve cut the cord, you can find it on FuboTV (they usually have a free trial), YouTube TV, or the FOX Sports App. For those listening on the go, Seattle Sports 710 AM and KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM are the gold standards for local coverage.

The Actionable "Game Plan" for Fans

Since you now know the game isn't on Sunday, here is how you should actually handle your weekend:

  • Move the Grocery Run: Do not—I repeat, do not—try to go to the store on Saturday at 4:00 PM. Seattle will be a ghost town, and the people who are out will be in a rush.
  • Watch the Injury Reports: Keep an eye on the Friday afternoon report. Specifically, look for the status of Seattle's offensive line. They've been banged up, and Nick Bosa is not the guy you want to face with a backup tackle.
  • Set the Sunday Scouting Trip: Use the actual Sunday game times to watch the Bears. Chicago’s defense has been playing lights-out, and they could be the final hurdle between Seattle and Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.

Basically, enjoy the Saturday night spectacle. If the Seahawks win, your Sunday becomes the most relaxing day of the year. If they lose... well, at least you won't have to spend your Sunday afternoon stressed out. But let’s be real: with the way this defense is playing, the 12s have plenty of reasons to be loud.