The red-hot San Francisco 49ers offense has finally discovered its Kryptonite. It comes in the form of a Seattle Seahawks defense that stymied it in a 13-3 Week 18 victory.
Mike Macdonald’s stop unit kept San Francisco’s offense off-balance all night at Levi’s Stadium. Brock Purdy and Co. racked up just 173 total yards in addition to their three points after averaging 373.2 yards per game and 35.7 points over their six-game winning streak.
As a result, the Seahawks clinched the NFC West title, their first since 2020, and secured the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoff race. That will give Seattle a much-needed first-round bye and a chance to recharge as the team looks to make the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2014-15 NFL playoffs.
Seattle’s victory will also be a monkey off the back of Sam Darnold, who failed to deliver in a similar divisional battle for the NFC’s No. 1 seed last season with the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold completed 20 of 26 passes for 198 yards, but most importantly, did not turn the ball over in the victory.
Darnold got a lot of support from his running game, as Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet combined to rack up 171 yards on 33 carries. If the talented duo can perform similarly in the postseason, Seattle’s all-around balance will make it a very tough out in a wide-open playoff bracket.
USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the 49ers-Seahawks game on Saturday in Week 18.
49ers vs. Seahawks takeaways Week 18
- Sam Darnold did exactly what was needed in win. Nobody will call Darnold’s performance against the 49ers flashy. He threw for less than 200 passing yards and didn’t log a touchdown, after all. But after coming up short in a similar spot with the Vikings last season, Darnold did well to learn from his shortcomings and avoided turnovers and negative plays while delivering a key win for the Seahawks. Darnold acknowledged in a postgame interview with ESPN his ability to ‘stay calm in the pocket’ made a difference for him in this one. So long as he can keep doing that, Seattle will have a chance to enjoy a solid playoff run.
- Seattle’s defense is championship-caliber. San Francisco has been one of the NFL’s best offenses this season when Brock Purdy has been healthy. The Seahawks have been able to stymie them in both meetings, holding the 49ers to an average of 10 points per game while limiting Purdy to an 80.3 passer rating. Seattle has elite talent at all three levels and plays as a connected, tough-to-beat defense under Macdonald. Much like the Seahawks’ ‘Legion of Boom’ days, this unit is plenty good enough to get Seattle through an open playoff field and into the Super Bowl.
- Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet are an underrated running back duo. Seattle’s one-two punch at running back doesn’t get enough love for what it’s able to do. Walker and Charbonnet are both good runners with explosive playmaking abilities, as they showed against the 49ers. Walker showed off his shiftiness on a key, 19-yard reception that allowed the Seahawks to continue their crucial field goal drive, while Charbonnet showed off good vision and burst on a 27-yard touchdown that proved to be a game-winner for Seattle. If they can continue to support Darnold while keeping each other fresh, the Seahawks should sport one of the better-balanced offenses of the 2025 NFL playoffs.
- The 49ers need Trent Williams back. The 49ers aren’t going to play a pass rush as great as that of the Seahawks every week, but it was clear they missed Williams on Saturday. Austen Pleasants had trouble holding up in Williams’ stead, and Brock Purdy was sacked a season-high three times as a result. Expect the 49ers to do everything they can to get Williams back before their wild-card game.
Brock Purdy stats vs. Seahawks
- 19-of-27 (70.3% completion rate)
- 127 passing yards
- 0 passing touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 64.9 passer rating
- 2 rushing attempts, 21 rushing yards
Sam Darnold stats vs. 49ers
- 20-of-26 (76.9% completion rate)
- 198 passing yards
- 0 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 97.9 passer rating
- 6 rushing attempts, 9 rushing yards
Christian McCaffrey stats vs. Seahawks
- 8 rushing attempts
- 23 rushing yards
- 0 total touchdowns
- 6 receptions (7 targets)
- 34 receiving yards
Seahawks clinch No. 1 seed in NFC
Seattle finished the job, collecting a victory over the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks are the top seed in the NFC, earning home-field advantage and a first-round bye.
49ers vs. Seahawks final score: Seattle 13, San Francisco 3
49ers vs. Seahawks highlights
Seahawks force turnover on downs to seal win on Saturday night
The 49ers couldn’t get a first down in their last-gasp effort to get back into the game against the Seahawks. Brock Purdy’s final pass fell harmlessly to the ground, and Seattle will win the NFC West after taking a few kneel-downs to end a 13-3 victory.
Jason Myers doinks 26-yard field goal off the upright
After intercepting Purdy, the Seahawks marched 89 yards over 16 plays to set Myers up for a short-distance field goal. For the second time tonight, Myers missed to the right, as his kick curved right and doinked off the upright.
Myers’ miss will allow the 49ers to remain down just 10 points. However, just 2:20 remains in the game after Seattle’s long drive, and San Francisco has no timeouts left. That means the 49ers will likely need to attempt an onside kick to have any chance to win.
Drake Thomas intercepts pass that glances off Christian McCaffrey’s hands
The 49ers were in the midst of their best offensive drive of the game and had a goal-to-go opportunity when Brock Purdy tried to throw a pass to McCaffrey at the 5-yard line. Edge rusher Boye Mafe appeared to barely deflect the pass at the line of scrimmage, and the veteran running back wasn’t able to corral it.
The result? The ball glanced off McCaffrey’s hands and into the arms of Thomas. The red-zone takeaway ensured Seattle would remain up by 10 points with about 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
49ers vs. Seahawks score update: Jason Myers makes 31-yard chip shot to extend Seattle’s lead
The Seahawks looked like they were going to go three-and-out before Kenneth Walker turned a screen-pass dump-off on third-and-17 into a 19-yard gain and a first down. From there, Seattle moved into short field goal range before stalling out.
Myers was called on to attempt the 31-yarder. He made it with ease, giving the Seahawks a 10-point lead with 14:15 remaining in regulation.
Seahawks 13, 49ers 3
When was the Seahawks’ last Super Bowl win?
The Seahawks have just one Super Bowl win in their history. That came in Super Bowl 48, when their ‘Legion of Boom’ defense thrashed Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense in a 43-8 rout.
Seattle also played in Super Bowl 49. The Seahawks lost to the New England Patriots when Malcolm Butler famously intercepted Russell Wilson on the goal-line in the final minute of a 28-24 Patriots win.
49ers forced to punt on first drive of second half
The 49ers weren’t able to mount back-to-back scoring drives. Brock Purdy and Co. managed to get themselves out from being backed up after Brian Robinson struggled to handle a kickoff, but San Francisco couldn’t get to midfield before Seattle found a way to stop it.
Rashid Shaheed was able to return Thomas Morstead’s 44-yard punt 20 yards to give Seattle solid field position as it looks to build on its 10-3 lead.
49ers vs. Seahawks score at halftime: Seattle leading 10-3
The Seahawks have just a seven-point lead, but they have dominated the 49ers in the first half. Seattle has outgained San Francisco 196-69 and has run 34 plays compared to the 49ers’ 20, as Sam Darnold and the offense have performed well.
Seattle’s offense has been balanced. Darnold has taken a couple of sacks but has otherwise been efficient, completing 10 of 13 passes for 98 yards over the first 30 minutes. The Seahawks have also run the ball well, as Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker have combined for 110 yards on 18 carries while Charbonnet scored the lone touchdown of the first half on a 27-yard run.
The 49ers will need to get Christian McCaffrey more involved in the second half, as he had just six touches for 25 yards in the first half. Brock Purdy has matched Sam Darnold, completing 10 of his 13 passes, but has turned them into just 47 yards.
San Francisco will get the ball first coming out of halftime. Expect Kyle Shanahan to try to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers as the 49ers try to come from behind to win the NFC West.
49ers vs. Seahawks score update: Eddy Pineiro makes 48-yard field goal to get San Francisco on board
The 49ers will not be shut out in the first half. Brock Purdy made a nice throw on the run to convert a third-and-11 before San Francisco stalled out shortly thereafter. Pineiro was called on to attempt a 48-yard kick, and he was able to tuck it inside the right upright.
The 49ers now trail by just one possession and will look to stop the Seahawks with a minute remaining in the first half.
Seahawks 10, 49ers 3
Where did Sam Darnold go to college?
Darnold went to USC. He spent three seasons with the Trojans and was a two-year starter for them. He completed 64.9% of his passes for 7,229 yards, 57 touchdowns and 22 interceptions across 27 games with the team.
Darnold’s performance was good enough to make him a first-round talent. The New York Jets selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
49ers vs. Seahawks score update: Jason Myers makes 45-yard field goal to extend Seattle lead
After missing from 47 yards earlier in the quarter, Myers was able to make a 45-yard kick after Seattle’s drive stalled out. That gave the Seahawks a two-possession lead for the first time in the game.
The Seahawks have dominated the 49ers thus far, outgaining them 193-39 and running 32 plays compared to San Francisco’s 12. The 49ers will now have 5:19 remaining in the first half to try to get on the board against Mike Macdonald’s stingy defense.
Seahawks 10, 49ers 0
Who is the Seahawks coach?
Mike Macdonald is the Seahawks’ head coach. He is in his second season with Seattle and has posted a 23-10 record across his first 33 games with the franchise.
Macdonald cut his teeth with the Ravens and turned Baltimore’s stop unit into one of the NFL’s best during his two seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator. The 38-year-old has enjoyed similar success with the Seahawks and is one of the youngest head coaches in the league.
Jason Myers misses 47-yard field goal, snapping streak of 18 straight makes
The Seahawks were once again able to get into scoring range against the 49ers’ defense. However, Myers wasn’t able to make the 47-yard kick, as it drifted right of the upright.
The Seahawks remain ahead 7-0, but Seattle has to be kicking itself after coming up empty in scoring range twice in the first half of the de facto NFC West championship game.
What is Sam Darnold’s salary?
Darnold has a base salary of just $5.3 million in 2025, but that’s because he got a $32 million signing bonus for his first season with the Seahawks.
The better measure of Darnold’s worth? He signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks in free agency. That gives him an average annual value (AAV) of $33.5 million, which ranks 18th among NFL quarterbacks.
49ers vs. Seahawks score update: Seattle strikes first with 27-yard Zach Charbonnet TD
The Seahawks are on the board first in the battle for the NFC West. Sam Darnold handed the ball to Charbonnet on a third-and-2, and the third-year back found space after cutting to the left side of the line. He was able to just get around the last defender and scamper into the end zone for a touchdown.
Jason Myers makes the extra point, and Seattle is leading by seven in the first quarter.
Seahawks 7, 49ers 0
Seahawks fail to convert fourth-and-goal on first drive of game
Seattle did something it doesn’t often do to open its Week 18 game against San Francisco. The Seahawks went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line, allowing Sam Darnold to try to throw a touchdown on the opening drive of the game.
Darnold couldn’t connect with Cooper Kupp, and as a result, Seattle had nothing to show for its game-opening drive, which spanned 12 plays, 66 yards and 7:37 of game time.
What happens if 49ers win today?
A 49ers win over the Seahawks in Week 18 would allow San Francisco to win the NFC West and clinch the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC.
Conversely, a loss would guarantee the 49ers would remain a wild-card team. They would earn either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed, pending the result of the Rams vs. Cardinals game on Sunday.
How to watch the 49ers vs. Seahawks game?
- TV channel: ABC, ESPN
The 49ers-Seahawks matchup on Saturday will be broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN. Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (analyst) will be on the call.
What time is the 49ers vs. Seahawks game?
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
The 49ers and Seahawks are scheduled for kickoff at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
49ers vs. Seahawks stream
- Live stream: ESPN+, fuboTV, NFL+
The 49ers-Seahawks game will stream on ESPN+ and fuboTV as well as the league’s streaming service, NFL+.
Catch NFL action with a fubo subscription
49ers vs. Seahawks prediction, picks
Here’s what the experts at USA TODAY think will happen in the 49ers vs. Seahawks matchup in Week 18:
- Jarrett Bell: 49ers, 24-20
- Nick Brinkerhoff: 49ers, 38-31
- Chris Bumbaca: 49ers, 29-28
- Nate Davis: Seahawks, 30-24
- Tyler Dragon: Seahawks, 28-25
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: 49ers, 31-28
49ers vs. Seahawks odds, moneyline, O/U
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
- Over/Under (O/U): 48 (O: -110 | U: -110)
- Moneyline (ML): Seahawks -135 (Bet $135 to win $100) | 49ers +115 (Bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Seahawks -2.5 (-110) | 49ers +2.5 (-110)
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)
NFC playoff picture: NFC bracket
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*
- Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winners)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9, 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:Carolina Panthers (8-9)
49ers uniforms today vs. Seahawks
For the first time, the Niners will be in monochrome black as they also wear black helmets − which they’ve never had since joining the NFL in 1950. The dome is matte black, adorned with a pair of red stripes down the centerline, the familiar interlocking ‘SF’ logo and gold-coated facemasks intended to sparkle under Levi’s Stadium’s lights. ‘Faithful’ is scripted on the headgear’s back bumper.
The red jersey numbers are outlined in gold and presented in a saloon-like font derived by the franchise’s classic wordmark. A cursive ‘Faithful’ is etched above the numbers on the chest, enabling the franchise to express its ‘steadfast appreciation for the unwavering dedication of 49ers fans across the globe.’ “Faithful to the Bay,’ the club motto, is stitched inside the collar. Per Nike, the look is ‘inspired by the Gold Rush era that once defined San Francisco.’ – Nate Davis
49ers inactives today vs. Seahawks
- LT Trent Williams (hamstring)
- WR Ricky Pearsall (knee)
- RB Isaac Guerendo
- DE Robert Beal Jr.
- DT Kevin Givens
- LB Curtis Robinson
- CB Chase Lucas
Seahawks inactives today vs. 49ers
- QB Jalen Milroe (Emergency QB3)
- OT Charles Cross (hamstring)
- S Coby Bryant (knee)
- OL Bryce Cabeldue
- OL Mason Richman
- LB Jared Ivey
- TE Nick Kallerup
Is George Kittle playing today vs. the Seahawks?
Yes, the All-Pro is not listed among the 49ers’ inactives ahead of tonight’s kickoff. He is expected to return to the lineup after missing Week 17 with a hamstring injury.
NFL playoff picture: AFC Bracket
- 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. 3)*
- Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched
2026 NFL Draft order
Here’s a look at the latest draft order for the first round with strength of schedule information via Tankathon:
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2-14; .542 SOS
- New York Giants: 3-13 record; .531 strength of schedule
- New York Jets: 3-13, .548 SOS
- Tennessee Titans: 3-13, .576 SOS
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-13; .580 SOS
- Cleveland Browns: 4-12, .491 SOS
- Washington Commanders: 4-12; .507 SOS
- New Orleans Saints: 6-10; .491 SOS
- Kansas City Chiefs: 6-10; .509 SOS
- Cincinnati Bengals: 6-10; .517 SOS
- Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 6-9; .498 SOS
- Miami Dolphins: 7-9; .483 SOS
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-9, .532 SOS
- Dallas Cowboys: 7-8-1; .436 SOS
- Detroit Lions: 8-8; .493 SOS
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-8; .504 SOS
- Minnesota Vikings: 8-8; .515 SOS
- Indianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-8; .537 SOS
- Carolina Panthers: 8-8, .520 SOS
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7; .509 SOS
- Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-6-1; .480 SOS
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11-5; .461 SOS
- Philadelphia Eagles: 11-5; .467 SOS
- Buffalo Bills: 11-5, .472 SOS
- Chicago Bears: 11-5; .454 SOS
- Houston Texans: 11-5; .528 SOS
- Los Angeles Rams: 11-4, .531 SOS
- Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 12-4; .487 SOS
- San Francisco 49ers: 12-4, .494 SOS
- New England Patriots: 13-3; .384 SOS
- Denver Broncos: 13-3; .426 SOS
- Seattle Seahawks: 13-3; .498 SOS
Is there a ManningCast for 49ers-Seahawks game?
Yes, there will be a ManningCast tonight. The Manning brothers return on the alt-cast in Week 18.
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