The Seahawks earned their 13th win of the season on Sunday, tying a franchise record, but they'll need one more win (or a tie), if they're going to win the NFC West.
With the Seahawks (13-3) and 49ers (12-4) both winning in Week 17, it sets up a winner-take-all showdown on Saturday in Santa Clara, with the winner of that game earning both the NFC West title and the conference's top seed which comes with a bye and homefield advantage. Because they have the better record coming into the game, the Seahawks would also be the No. 1 seed and division champ with a tie, while the 49ers would only earn those two things with a victory, in which case they would win the head-to-head tiebreaker with both teams at 13-4.
So if the Seahawks win or tie on Saturday, they'll get a weekend off, then wait to see who they host in the divisional round. The Rams loss on Monday night, which dropped their record to 11-5, also provided more clarity on the Seahawks' playoff path should they lose on Saturday.
By virtue of that Rams loss, the Seahawks are locked into being either the No. 1 seed with a win or a tie, or the No. 5 seed if they lose. Had the Rams won on Monday, the Seahawks also could have ended up as the No. 6 seed.
If the Seahawks were the fifth seed, they would open the playoffs on the road against the winner of the NFC South, who is guaranteed to be the No. 4 seed as the division champion with the worst record. That would mean a return trip to Carolina or a trip to Tampa Bay, depending on what happens this weekend. Those two teams play Saturday afternoon, and if the Panthers (8-8) win or tie, they clinch the division, while a win by the Buccaneers (7-9) complicates things a bit more. If Tampa Bay were to win, they would also need a New Orleans win or tie vs. the Falcons to clinch the division. That's because Tampa Bay would win a two-way tie with the Panthers at 8-9, but if the Falcons were to win, a three-way tie between Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta favors the Panthers.
Of course, none of those scenarios will matter if the Seahawks can take care of business on Saturday and earn the conference's top seed for the first time since they did so in 2013 and 2014 on their way to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. The Seahawks were also the No. 1 seed in 2005, and also reached the Super Bowl that season.
Check out the best game action photos from the Seahawks' Week 17 game vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
12s travel across the country for a week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
