At a Glance
- Seahawks defeat 49ers 13-3 to clinch NFC No.1 seed.
- First NFC West title since 2020 and two home wins away from a Super Bowl.
- Dominant defense shuts down the most potent 49ers offense.
Why it matters: The win locks Seattle into a home playoff run and showcases a defense that can neutralize top offenses.
The Seattle Seahawks wrapped up the regular season with a 13-3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, earning the NFC’s No.1 seed and their first West title since 2020. The win also puts the team two home wins away from a Super Bowl appearance at Levi’s Stadium.
Dominant Defense
The Seahawks’ defense did not allow a first down in the first quarter, piled up three sacks, and forced an interception by Drake Thomas early in the fourth. The 49ers’ offense, which had been the NFL’s most prolific since Brock Purdy’s return, was held to 173 yards and their lowest-scoring game under coach Kyle Shanahan.
Leonard Williams said:
> “We all have respect for the Legion of Boom, but I feel like we deserve some recognition at this point, too. We call ourselves the Dark Side.”
Sam Darnold added:
> “It’s huge to be able to play in front of the 12s… It’s unlike any other stadium in terms of how loud it can be and how tough it can be for the other offense.”
Key Performances
- Zach Charbonnet – 27-yard touchdown run, 180 yards rushing total.
- Kenneth Walker III – 97 rushing yards.
- Brock Purdy – 19 of 27 for 127 yards, 49ers’ lowest yardage under Shanahan.
- Christian McCaffrey – 23 yards on 8 carries, caught an interception that was returned by Thomas.
Mike Macdonald praised the unit:
> “We didn’t allow a first down in the opening quarter, generated three sacks and made the biggest defensive play early in the fourth quarter.”
Christian McCaffrey reflected on the interception:
> “It’s a play I have to make, absolutely have to make… I expect nothing less but to make that play and it’s completely on me.”
Kyle Shanahan commented on the loss:
> “We’re ready for it… It would have been nice to have a home game here – or both home games – and get a bye. But it is what it is. This team’s been through a lot this year. Now we got to do it the hard way.”
Injuries and Next Games
| Team | Player | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | LT Josh Jones | Brief exit, returned |
| 49ers | LB Dee Winters | Ankle |
| 49ers | LB Tatum Bethune | Groin |
| 49ers | LT Trent Williams | Hamstring |
| 49ers | WR Ricky Pearsall | Knee |
The Seahawks will host the divisional round on January 17 or 18, while the 49ers head to the road for a wild-card game next weekend.
Key Takeaways
- Seahawks lock in NFC No.1 seed and home playoff advantage.
- The defense proved it can shut down the league’s top offenses.
- Two key injuries could impact the 49ers’ playoff performance.
The victory not only cements Seattle’s elite status this season but also sets the stage for a potential Super Bowl run.
