If you’re frantically googling what time do the seahawks play this sunday, I have some news that might make you jump or maybe just sigh with relief.
The Seattle Seahawks actually played their massive Divisional Round game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night, January 17, 2026.
I know, I know. We are so used to "NFL Sunday" being the default setting for our brains. But when the playoffs hit, the league loves to spread the love across the whole weekend. This year, because the Seahawks locked up the #1 seed in the NFC with a stellar 14-3 regular-season record, they landed that primetime Saturday slot at Lumen Field.
Why the Saturday Slot Happened
Usually, the top seeds get the Saturday night window to maximize ratings. It’s "Prime Time" in the truest sense. For the 2026 playoffs, the NFL scheduled the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills for the Saturday afternoon game, leaving the nightcap for the NFC West's biggest rivalry.
If you are reading this on Sunday morning, January 18, the game has likely already wrapped up.
But don't toss your jersey in the hamper just yet. There is plenty of football happening today that directly impacts Seattle’s path to the Super Bowl.
The NFL Sunday Schedule (January 18, 2026)
While the Seahawks took care of business on Saturday, today is all about finding out who else moves on. If Seattle won their game, they are officially hosting the NFC Championship game next weekend.
Here is the lineup for today:
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Houston Texans at New England Patriots Kickoff: 12:00 PM PT (3:00 PM ET)
Channel: ABC/ESPN
This is an AFC clash, so it won't affect Seattle's bracket, but it's a hell of a matchup between C.J. Stroud and the revitalized Pats defense.Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears Kickoff: 3:30 PM PT (6:30 PM ET)
Channel: NBC/Peacock
This is the one to watch. If the Seahawks beat the Niners, they will play the winner of this Rams/Bears game next Sunday for the NFC title.
Honestly, the Rams being in this position is wild. They finished 12-5, right on Seattle's heels all season. The idea of a third Seahawks-Rams matchup this year—with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line—is enough to give any 12s fan a bit of anxiety.
What You Missed (or Just Watched)
The buildup to this weekend was intense. Sam Darnold—yeah, that Sam Darnold—has been playing the best football of his life in a Seahawks uniform. He threw for over 4,000 yards this season.
There was a massive injury scare earlier in the week regarding Darnold's oblique. Reports from Adam Schefter suggested he hadn't thrown a ball in practice since Thursday. However, the coaching staff remained "cautiously optimistic" throughout Friday. It’s those kinds of details that make the playoffs so nerve-wracking.
Then you had the 49ers coming in after a brutal Wild Card win against Philadelphia. Brock Purdy has been a postseason machine (5-2 record entering this game), but the Seahawks' defense led by a dominant pass rush has been the story of 2026.
Looking Ahead: What Time Do the Seahawks Play Next?
Assuming the Seahawks handled the 49ers on Saturday night, the schedule for the next round is already set.
The NFC Championship Game is scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2026.
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The kickoff is set for 3:30 PM PT (6:30 PM ET) and will be broadcast on FOX.
If you’re a Seahawks fan, you’ll be glued to the Rams-Bears game this evening. Chicago’s defense at home is no joke, but the Rams have playoff experience that’s hard to bet against.
Key Takeaways for the 12s
- Check the Date: Always double-check those Saturday vs. Sunday playoff designations. The NFL changes these every year based on TV contracts and seeding.
- Streaming Options: If you missed the live broadcast, you can usually catch the full replay on NFL+ or condensed highlights on the official NFL YouTube channel.
- Lumen Field Factor: This was the first time in nearly a decade that Seattle hosted a home playoff game with a full stadium of fans (due to various weird scheduling and world events over the years). The noise level was expected to hit record decibels.
Basically, if you missed the game because you thought it was tonight, you've got some catching up to do. Go check the scores, watch the Jaxon Smith-Njigba highlights—he’s been a monster lately—and start prepping for next Sunday.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is officially running through Seattle.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official Seahawks app and sync the schedule to your phone so you don't get tripped up by a Saturday game again.
- Watch the Rams vs. Bears tonight: Since the winner of that game is Seattle's next opponent (provided Seattle won), pay close attention to the Rams' offensive line health; they've been struggling with injuries lately.
- Secure Championship Tickets: If the Seahawks won on Saturday, tickets for the NFC Championship at Lumen Field will go on sale almost immediately. Be ready to refresh your browser.