Seahawks Game Day: Seattle Hosts 49ers in NFC Divisional Round Under the Lights at Lumen Field

Mo. Basuony

ago 2 hours

Seahawks Game Day

The Seattle Seahawks return to center stage with an NFC Divisional Round showdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Saturday, January 17, 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. It’s the third meeting between the rivals this season and the first postseason game in Seattle since the franchise’s recent surge to the NFC’s top tier. With a roaring home crowd and cool January conditions expected, the margins will come down to early-down efficiency, quarterback poise, and red-zone execution.

Seahawks vs. 49ers kickoff details and what’s new

Matchup: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Stage: NFC Divisional Round (single elimination)
Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 17 — 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT (1:00 a.m. GMT Sun)
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
Format reminder: Overtime postseason rules guarantee each team a possession unless the first drive results in a defensive score.

Seattle added backfield depth on game day by elevating Velus Jones Jr. from the practice squad, reinforcing a rotation headed by Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. Across the line of scrimmage, San Francisco elevated two linemen—one on each side of the ball—to bolster trenches for a physical night at the line of scrimmage.

Seattle’s offensive plan: script, balance, and leverage the noise

The Seahawks’ offense has leaned on a clear weekly script: quick formations to identify coverage, early motion to force communication, and a run game that hits both inside and off-tackle. The goal is to keep second downs “on schedule” (five yards or fewer) and protect the play-action menu that unlocks intermediate throws to DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and the tight ends.

Keys for Seattle with the ball

First 15 plays: Expect a fast start with packaged runs and RPO looks to blunt the 49ers’ pass rush before it heats up.
Stay multiple on the ground: Walker’s burst pairs with Charbonnet’s contact balance; rotating fresh legs can pay off in the fourth quarter.
Protection rules vs. stunts: San Francisco thrives on games and late loopers. Seattle’s guards and center must pass off twists cleanly to keep the launch point stable.

Containing San Francisco: eyes on the QB and the edges

While San Francisco’s offense is known for timing and misdirection, Seattle’s defense has thrived this year by closing space quickly and rallying to the ball. The emphasis: compressing throwing windows on early downs, tackling the perimeter game without missed assignments, and forcing long fields.

Keys for Seattle on defense

Set the edge: Outside-zone and toss plays are the 49ers’ tempo-setters. Winning the edge disrupts their entire sequencing.
Tackle after the catch: San Francisco’s YAC ability punishes soft cushions. Seattle’s corners and safeties must trigger downhill and finish.
Third-down disguise: Rotating from two-high shells into late pressure looks can bait hurried throws and generate takeaway chances.

Game-within-the-game: explosives, red zone, and situational football

This rivalry often swings on a handful of snaps—deep shots, scramble drills, and red-zone chess. Seattle’s red-zone identity leans on condensed formations and matchup hunting for Metcalf, with complementary leaks to tight ends. San Francisco counters with brackets and pattern-match rules designed to muddy reads. Whichever side wins high-leverage downs (3rd-and-4 to 3rd-and-7, plus red zone) is likely advancing.

Situational checkpoints

Explosive plays (20+ yards): Aim for 4–5; anything less puts pressure on perfect drives.
Turnover margin: +1 or better is typically decisive in a one-score playoff game.
Hidden yards: Special teams field position, especially in cool air, affects makeable field-goal range and pin opportunities.

What Seattle needs from its stars

Quarterback: Efficient answers vs. pressure—hot throws, firm protection checks, and selective scramble decisions.
Kenneth Walker III: Early-down consistency to avoid obvious passing downs; a single chunk run can flip the script.
DK Metcalf & Tyler Lockett: One explosive each changes the math; expect stacked releases and motion to free clean releases.
Pass rush: Four-man pressure on obvious passing downs to keep coverage shells intact and limit YAC after quick throws.

Weather, field, and crowd factors

Lumen Field’s January environment favors teams that tackle, run, and communicate. Cooler air can modestly shrink the deep ball’s margin for error and keeps special teams in the spotlight. Crowd noise should be a real factor—particularly on San Francisco’s third downs and in the low red zone, where a single false start can flip four points off the board.

Seahawks game outlook and score range

This shapes up as a disciplined, physical, possession-by-possession playoff game. Seattle’s paths to victory: win early downs, generate one takeaway, and cash red-zone trips at a higher clip than field goals. San Francisco’s counter is to stay ahead of schedule with perimeter efficiency and protect the quarterback from long-developing pressure.

Projected script range: Seahawks 23–27, 49ers 20–24.
A one-score margin late is the expectation; special teams and a single explosive or takeaway could define who moves on.

Note: Inactives, snap counts, and any last-minute roster moves can influence roles and matchups close to kickoff.