Seahawks playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for Seattle to win NFC West
- - Seahawks playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for Seattle to win NFC West
Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYJanuary 3, 2026 at 3:03 AM
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It's been weeks since the Seattle Seahawks officially broke their playoff drought. Coach Mike Macdonald will be in the postseason for the first time with one of the best teams in the NFL this season.
The Seahawks have won 10 of their last 11 games to push hard into the playoffs behind the No. 2 scoring offense and No. 2 scoring defense. Seattle will be back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 NFL season.
But whether the Seahawks will be playing at home or on the road to open the playoffs is still undecided. It's now down to one final game in Week 18 to decide their postseason fate.
As is the case across the league, the Seahawks wrap up the regular season with a game against a divisional foe, the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle controls their own destiny and will either be the No. 1 seed in the conference or the top wild-card seed.
Here's a breakdown of the Seahawks' playoff picture, how they could win the NFC West and the current NFC postseason picture:
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Seahawks playoff chances
Seattle clinched a playoff berth in Week 16 thanks to their win over the Los Angeles Rams on "Thursday Night Football."
Seahawks playoff scenarios
Seattle will either win the NFC West for the first time since 2020 or be the top wild-card seed in the NFC. Here's how the Seahawks could win their division in 2025:
Seahawks win in Week 18 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Seattle travels on the road to face San Francisco in a contest for the division crown and the No. 1 seed. With a win, the Seahawks secure the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
A loss to the 49ers would drop the Seahawks to the No. 5 seed regardless of the other results in Week 18. San Francisco has an advantage in the first two tiebreakers: head-to-head and division records. The 49ers winning in Week 18 would draw them even on overall win-loss record and they'd get the top seed thanks to those tiebreakers.
NFC West standings
The Seahawks lead the NFC West standings entering the season finale. Here's a full look at the division:
Seattle Seahawks (13-3, 3-2 NFC West)
San Francisco 49ers (12-4, 4-1)
Los Angeles Rams (11-5, 3-2)
Arizona Cardinals (3-13, 0-5)
The Seahawks' win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 keeps them a game ahead of the 49ers in the win column. Seattle's win over Los Angeles in a thrilling Week 16 game – followed by the Rams' loss to the Falcons in Week 17 – makes it a two-team race for the division crown.
Seahawks remaining schedule
Below is a look at the Seahawks' final opponent:
Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
49ers remaining schedule
Below is a look at the 49ers' final opponent:
Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
Who will Seahawks play in playoffs? -
If the Seahawks defeat the 49ers Week 18: Seattle earns the No. 1 seed and a bye.
If the 49ers defeat the Seahawks Week 18: San Francisco earns the No. 1 seed and a bye. Seattle earns the No. 5 seed and will go on the road to play the NFC South champion, either Carolina or Tampa Bay.
NFL playoff picture
Here's how the AFC and NFC stack up for Week 18 (teams with an asterisk have clinched a playoff berth):
AFC -
Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*
New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
NFC -
Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*
Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winners)*
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*
Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)
San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Rams (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seahawks playoff picture: Who will Seattle play in playoffs?
Source: “AOL Sports”
