The road to the NFC Championship runs through arguably the most hostile environment in professional sports today, as the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks host their bitter division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, in a blockbuster NFL Divisional Round 2026 showdown. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at a deafening, sold-out Lumen Field playoff game that promises to reignite one of the league's fiercest feuds. With the Seahawks fresh off a franchise-record 14-win season and the 49ers riding high after a gritty Wild Card upset over the Eagles, the stakes couldn't be higher for two teams that know each other's playbooks inside and out.

NFL Divisional Round 2026: A Rivalry Reborn at Lumen Field

For football purists, the NFL playoffs bracket 2026 has delivered the perfect storm. This marks the third meeting this season between these NFC West juggernauts, with the series split 1-1. The Seahawks claimed the NFC West crown and the No. 1 seed with a suffocating 13-3 victory in Week 18, but the playoffs are a different beast. San Francisco, entering as the No. 6 seed, showed their championship DNA last week by dismantling the Philadelphia Eagles on the road, proving they remain a lethal threat despite a rollercoaster regular season.

The atmosphere in Seattle is electric. Under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks have transformed into a defensive powerhouse, allowing the fewest points per game in the league. However, Kyle Shanahan's 49ers have been here before. Fans tracking the 49ers vs Seahawks live score expect a physical, low-scoring war of attrition where a single turnover could decide who advances to the NFC Championship Game.

Sam Darnold Injury Update: Seahawks QB 'Confident' Despite Oblique Scare

The biggest storyline heading into Saturday's clash centers on the health of Seattle's MVP candidate. The latest Sam Darnold injury update has been the source of anxious speculation across the Pacific Northwest. Darnold, who revitalized his career after signing a massive three-year deal with Seattle in March 2025, was listed as questionable earlier this week with an oblique injury sustained in practice.

Despite the concern, Darnold shut down rumors of his absence during Thursday's press conference. "I feel really confident about going on Saturday," Darnold told reporters, putting the chances of him missing the game at "close to zero." The 28-year-old quarterback posted a career-best season, throwing 25 touchdowns and leading the Seahawks to the conference's top seed. However, the 49ers' pass rush, led by Nick Bosa, will undoubtedly test that oblique early and often. If Darnold is limited, Seattle may have to lean even more heavily on their rushing attack, featuring the dynamic duo of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, who combined for 180 yards against this same San Francisco defense just two weeks ago.

49ers Face Uphill Battle: Brock Purdy, Injuries, and the 'Legion of Boom 2.0'

While Seattle deals with quarterback concerns, San Francisco is navigating a roster depleted by attrition. The Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers narrative is heavily influenced by the absence of All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who was placed on injured reserve with a torn Achilles—a devastating blow to Brock Purdy's safety blanket. Without Kittle, the onus falls on Christian McCaffrey and receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk to generate explosive plays against a secondary that pundits are calling the "Legion of Boom 2.0."

There is a silver lining for the visitors: All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams returns to the lineup after missing the Week 18 loss. His presence is a game-changer for an offensive line that struggled to protect Purdy in the regular-season finale. Purdy, who threw three interceptions in two games against Seattle this year, must play mistake-free football against a defense featuring First-Team All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon. The chess match between Shanahan's play-calling wizardry and Macdonald's defensive schemes will likely determine the victor.

NFL Playoff Predictions Today: Can San Francisco Upset the Top Seed?

Most NFL playoff predictions today favor the home team, but the margin is razor-thin. The Seahawks are currently 7.5-point favorites, reflecting their dominance at home and the 49ers' injury woes. However, betting against a Shanahan-led team in the postseason is risky. The key to the game lies in the trenches: if Trent Williams can neutralize Seattle's pass rush and open lanes for McCaffrey, the 49ers have a path to victory.

Conversely, if Seattle's defense replicates their Week 18 performance and Jaxon Smith-Njigba—who shattered franchise receiving records this year—can exploit the 49ers' secondary, the Seahawks' magical season will continue. Ultimately, Seattle's home-field advantage and superior health might be too much for a battered 49ers squad to overcome.

Prediction: Seahawks 24, 49ers 20.