The NFL postseason heats up this Saturday as the NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, clash in a high-stakes Divisional Round battle at Lumen Field. As the No. 1 seed, Seattle earned a crucial first-round bye, while the No. 6 seed 49ers arrive following a gritty Wild Card victory in Philadelphia. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PT, with a trip to the NFC Championship hanging in the balance.
A Trilogy of Tussles: Divisional Rematch
This matchup marks the third time these two teams will face off in the 2025 season, a rare occurrence that underscores the intense rivalry defining the NFC West. The regular season split their meetings: San Francisco secured a narrow 17-13 victory in Seattle early on, only for the Seahawks to return the favor in Week 18 with a decisive 13-3 win at Levi's® Stadium, clinching the top seed for Seattle. This is the first time in NFL history that two teams have met in Week 1, Week 18, and the postseason in the same year.
Historically, postseason series between these two sides are deadlocked at 1-1, with the home team prevailing in both previous playoff encounters. However, the dynamics are different this time. The 49ers are playing on just five days of rest, contrasting sharply with Seattle's 13 days of recovery. While No. 1 seeds typically hold an advantage, recent history shows they are just 2-2 against Wild Card teams in the Divisional Round over the last five seasons.
49ers Outlook: Resilience Tested Under Shanahan
Under the leadership of Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have established a formidable January pedigree, boasting a perfect 7-0 record in Wild Card and Divisional Round games, leading to an NFC Championship appearance in every postseason run during his tenure. Quarterback Brock Purdy has been particularly effective against Seattle, holding a 6-2 career record against them, including a flawless 4-0 record at Lumen Field.
Key Offensive Adjustments
San Francisco’s path to victory is complicated by the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by star tight end George Kittle. His absence forces significant adjustments, with tight end Jake Tonges expected to step into an expanded role—fittingly, Tonges caught the game-winning touchdown against Seattle back in Week 1.
The offense will continue to revolve around running back Christian McCaffrey, who finished the regular season second in scrimmage yards and has scored in every playoff game of his career. Last week against Philadelphia, McCaffrey proved his dual-threat capability with two receiving touchdowns. The 49ers desperately need a sharper offensive showing than their three-point effort in Week 18 against the same Seattle defense.
On the injury front, the defense receives a boost with T Trent Williams returning to full practice participation, though linebacker Fred Warner has been ruled out. The team will rely heavily on their 'next-man-up' mentality, exemplified by players like Demarcus Robinson and Eric Kendricks in the Wild Card round.
Seahawks Outlook: Defending Home Field Advantage
Seattle enters the Divisional Round as the NFC's top seed, benefiting from home-field advantage and rest. Under Head Coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks built their 14-3 record on a league-leading defense, allowing a mere 17.2 points per game.
Darnold's Turnover Tightrope
The offensive success has been spearheaded by QB Sam Darnold, who achieved one of his most productive seasons, surpassing 4,000 passing yards. However, Darnold’s late-season stretch was marred by high turnover rates, leading the NFL with 20 giveaways. His ability to protect the ball against a fierce 49ers pass rush will be paramount to Seattle’s success, especially considering his difficult outing in last year's Wild Card loss.
The passing attack features star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL in receiving yards and set a franchise record. A fascinating subplot involves Smith-Njigba’s historical struggle against the 49ers secondary; despite his regular-season dominance, he has yet to record a touchdown against San Francisco.
What's at Stake in the Divisional Round
For the third time this season, the NFC West crown—or at least a berth in the NFC Championship Game—is the prize. San Francisco aims to continue its dominant January streak under Shanahan, while Seattle looks to capitalize on their hard-earned home-field advantage. The victor of this intense Divisional Round clash will move on to face the winner of the Los Angeles Rams versus the Chicago Bears NFC matchup.
Expect a physical, defensive battle where execution on both sides of the line of scrimmage will ultimately decide which team continues its quest for the Super Bowl.