The Seattle Seahawks have clinched the NFC West division title and secured the conference's coveted No. 1 seed after a decisive victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The Week 18 showdown at Lumen Field delivered everything fans expected from this rivalry, with Seattle's defense making crucial stops in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. The win marks the culmination of a remarkable season turnaround for a Seahawks team that exceeded all preseason expectations.
With the NFC's top seed secured, Seattle will rest during Wild Card Weekend while watching potential playoff opponents battle for the right to face them in the Divisional Round. The Seahawks will not take the field again until January 17-18, giving their players valuable recovery time.
The 2025-26 NFL playoffs officially begin on January 10 with Wild Card Weekend, featuring six games across three days. In the NFC bracket, the projected matchups include the No. 2 seed Chicago Bears hosting the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers, the No. 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles welcoming the No. 6 seed Los Angeles Rams, and the No. 4 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers facing the No. 5 seed San Francisco 49ers.
On the AFC side, the Denver Broncos secured the top seed and the all-important bye week. The AFC Wild Card matchups are projected to feature the New England Patriots hosting the Buffalo Bills, the Jacksonville Jaguars facing the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Houston Texans.
This postseason marks a historic shift in NFL landscape, as it will be the first playoffs since 2014 not to feature the Kansas City Chiefs and the first since 1998 not to include any of the legendary quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Patrick Mahomes.
Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Seahawks, with their top seed secured, are positioned as favorites to represent the NFC in the championship game as they chase their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.
Conference Championship games are set for January 25, with the winners advancing to face off in what promises to be one of the most unpredictable postseasons in recent memory.
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