Seahawks Snag NFC No. 1 Seed After Smothering 49ers 13–3

Intermediate | January 11, 2026

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Seahawks Snag NFC No. 1 Seed When the Stakes Were Highest

Some games feel like a normal Sunday. This one felt like a job interview, a final exam, and a rivalry argument—all at the same time.

On January 3, 2026, the Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers 13–3 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. With that win, the Seahawks snag NFC No. 1 seed status—and grabbed the NFC West title too. (ESPN recap, ESPN story)

The One Touchdown That Set the Tone

The Seahawks didn’t win with fireworks. They won with control.

Running back Zach Charbonnet scored the game’s only touchdown on a 27-yard run in the first quarter. Seattle leaned on the ground game all night, with Kenneth Walker III adding 97 rushing yards. It wasn’t flashy—but it was steady, physical, and efficient. (ESPN game analysis, Box score)

Defense, Defense… and More Defense

The real headline was Seattle’s defense. They kept San Francisco out of the end zone and held the 49ers to just 173 total yards—their fewest in a regular-season game since Kyle Shanahan became head coach in 2017, according to ESPN Research. (ESPN game analysis)

A key moment came late in the fourth quarter. With the 49ers near the goal line, Boye Mafe tipped a pass, it bounced off Christian McCaffrey, and linebacker Drake Thomas grabbed the interception—stopping San Francisco’s best chance to score. (ESPN game analysis, Box score)

Just Enough from the Offense (and a Rare Kicking Scare)

Seattle’s quarterback, Sam Darnold, didn’t throw a touchdown—but he didn’t make big mistakes either. He finished 20-of-26 for 198 yards, and Seattle avoided turnovers when it mattered most. (Box score, ESPN recap)

One surprise: kicker Jason Myers had an unusually rough night. He missed a 47-yard field goal, and later missed again from 26 yards. (He still hit two field goals, including one from 45 yards.) Even with those misses, Seattle stayed calm and stayed in control. (ESPN recap, ESPN story)

What “No. 1 Seed” Actually Means

Here’s the practical benefit: the Seahawks snag NFC No. 1 seed status, so they get a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs. ESPN reported they will host a divisional-round game on Jan. 17 or 18, while the 49ers have to travel for the wild-card round. (ESPN recap, ESPN story)

Business takeaway? The top seed is like winning the best office location: same job, but your commute is easier.

Vocabulary

snag (verb) – to get something quickly or successfully.
Example: Seattle snagged the NFC No. 1 seed with a strong Week 18 win.
seed (noun) – a team’s ranking for the playoffs.
Example: The No. 1 seed usually gets the easiest playoff path.
clinch (verb) – to secure something officially.
Example: The Seahawks clinched the NFC West title with the victory.
first-round bye (noun) – skipping the first playoff game because of a top ranking.
Example: The first-round bye gives Seattle extra rest before the divisional round.
home-field advantage (noun) – the benefit of playing at home.
Example: Home-field advantage can matter a lot in cold-weather playoff games.
smother (verb) – to shut something down completely.
Example: Seattle smothered San Francisco’s offense and allowed only three points.
rivalry (noun) – a long, competitive relationship between teams.
Example: The Seahawks–49ers rivalry always feels intense.
interception (noun) – when a defender catches a pass meant for an offensive player.
Example: Drake Thomas made a huge interception near the goal line.
turning point (noun) – the moment that changes the outcome.
Example: The fourth-quarter interception was the turning point of the game.
stakes (noun) – what you can win or lose.
Example: The stakes were massive because the No. 1 seed was on the line.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What did Seattle achieve by beating the 49ers 13–3?
Which play was the game’s only touchdown, and who scored it?
What defensive statistic shows how dominant Seattle was?
Why was Drake Thomas’s interception such a big moment?
How did Seattle win even with missed field goals?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Do you prefer teams that win with defense or with offense? Why?
In your opinion, is a first-round bye “fair,” or does it make playoffs less exciting?
What makes rivalries more intense—history, fans, or the stakes?
How do you think pressure affects performance in high-stakes games?
What’s a “No. 1 seed” equivalent in business or school life?

Related Idiom

“Seal the deal” — to finish something successfully and make it official.

Example: Seattle sealed the deal on the No. 1 seed with a calm, controlled win.

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This article was inspired by: ESPN (Game Recap), ESPN (Game Analysis), and ESPN (Week 18 Story).