So, if you’re looking out your window on this Sunday and wondering why half of Seattle is still hoarse, there’s a massive reason for it. The energy in the Pacific Northwest is basically vibrating right now. Honestly, it's hard to describe if you weren't there. If you are asking where did the Seahawks play today, the answer is actually that they just finished a historic beatdown at home—Lumen Field—and they aren't playing on this specific Sunday because they already took care of business last night.
Yesterday, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Seattle Seahawks hosted the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.
It wasn't just a game; it was a statement. While most of the NFL world is glued to the TV today watching the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams battle it out at Soldier Field to see who travels to Seattle next, the Seahawks are already home, resting, and probably still ringing from the noise.
The Fortress at 800 Occidental Ave S
When we talk about where the Seahawks play, it’s always about Lumen Field. But last night? It felt different. The "12s" didn't just show up; they tried to knock the roof off a stadium that doesn't even have one. Reports are already coming out that the stadium registered actual seismic activity—yeah, mini-earthquakes—during Rashid Shaheed’s opening 95-yard kickoff return.
You’ve got to love the irony. The 49ers came in as the 6-seed, hoping to play spoiler in a house where they’ve historically struggled, and they ran into a buzzsaw. The final score was a staggering 41-6.
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The Seahawks dominated. Period.
It’s been a minute since we saw this kind of postseason atmosphere in Seattle. We’re talking about the first home playoff game with a full crowd since the 2016 season. Sure, there was that 2020 game, but COVID-19 kept the stands empty. This time, 68,579 people were screaming their lungs out. It mattered.
Why the Location Mattered So Much
Home-field advantage is a cliché in sports, but at Lumen Field, it’s a physical variable. The way the stadium is designed with those overhanging canopies, the sound just traps and bounces back at the visiting quarterback. Brock Purdy looked rattled from the first whistle.
Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks' head coach who’s basically been a defensive wizard since taking over for Pete Carroll, mentioned after the game that the atmosphere was "freaking awesome." He’s not wrong. When you have DeMarcus Lawrence executing strip-sacks and Kenneth Walker III finding holes that shouldn't exist, the crowd feeds that momentum.
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What Happened on the Field (The Quick Version)
If you missed the broadcast on FOX, here is the gist of how the Seahawks defended their home turf:
- The Lightning Start: Rashid Shaheed, who Seattle picked up in a midseason trade, took the opening kick 95 yards to the house. The stadium went nuclear.
- The Ground War: Kenneth Walker III was a monster. 116 yards. Three touchdowns. He basically spent the fourth quarter just running out the clock because the game was already over.
- The "Dark Side" Defense: That’s what they’re calling this unit now. They held the 49ers to just six points. Six. In a playoff game. Ernest Jones IV had an interception and a forced fumble. It was a clinic.
Sam Darnold, who’s had a bit of a career resurgence here in Seattle, didn’t have to be a superhero. He was efficient. 12-of-17, one touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and most importantly, zero turnovers. For a guy who used to be a turnover machine, playing in front of a supportive home crowd seems to have settled his nerves.
A Quick Reality Check
Look, it wasn't all perfect. Zach Charbonnet left with a knee injury. That's a big blow for the depth chart moving into the NFC Championship. We’ll have to see what the imaging shows tomorrow. Also, the 49ers are a beat-up team, and while a 41-6 win is impressive, the road only gets steeper from here.
Where the Seahawks Play Next
Since the Seahawks are the No. 1 seed, they don't have to pack their bags yet. They’ve earned the right to stay right where they are.
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The NFC Championship game is scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 3:30 PM PT.
Where will it be? Once again, at Lumen Field.
They are waiting on the winner of the Bears-Rams game happening right now. If the Bears win, they come to Seattle. If the Rams win, we get a divisional rivalry game for a trip to the Super Bowl. Either way, the "12s" are going to be expected to bring that same earthquake-level energy one more time.
Actionable Steps for the 12s
If you're planning on being part of the madness for the NFC Championship, you need to move fast.
- Check the Secondary Market Now: Tickets for the NFC Championship are going to be astronomical. With the Seahawks advancing in such dominant fashion, demand is at an all-time high. Check Verified Resale on Ticketmaster, but be prepared for "sticker shock."
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on the news regarding Zach Charbonnet’s knee and Sam Darnold’s oblique. The Seahawks need a full stable of backs to keep this offensive rhythm going.
- Rest Your Voice: Seriously. If you were at the game yesterday, drink some tea with honey. You have seven days to get your voice back to "illegal noise level" for next Sunday.
- Gear Up: The Pro Shop at Lumen Field is going to be packed this week. If you need that conference championship gear, try to go mid-week or order online to avoid the Saturday rush.
The Seahawks are one win away from Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. They've turned Lumen Field back into the most feared destination in the NFL, and based on what we saw yesterday, nobody wants to play in Seattle right now.