With the NFC West division title and NFC No. 1 seed up for grabs on Saturday, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is in a scenario like the one he was in at the end of the 2024 regular season. Last season with the Vikings, Darnold and Minnesota went into Week 18 looking to take the NFC North title as well as the No. 1 seed. Ultimately, they lost to the Lions, but Darnold's experience from a game like that allowed him to gain an understanding of what it's like to play in games with high stakes.
"Great point about going through it last year for myself, just having that experience of going through a game like that. I think the biggest thing is just treating it like another game. Understanding kind of when you get out there, people make it out to be bigger and it's primetime, all that stuff, fans are going to be great. So, understanding that it's going to have that type of feel to it, but once you get out there between the lines, between the whistles, it's football. And that's the best part about this game."
Since that game against the Lions, Darnold has helped the Seahawks notch 13 wins and be in a spot to earn a first-round bye and homefield advantage for the playoffs. Darnold's 13 wins this season makes him one of five quarterbacks to have back-to-back 13-win seasons.
Since Seattle's Week 1 loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks have, for most of the season, looked like a better and improved team than that Week 1 team.
"It feels like a long time ago," offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said. "It's been a really resilient group. They've grown a lot throughout the season. There's been ebbs and flows like there is all the time, but what stands out about our guys is that their will to win. They find a way."
And the Seahawks have found a way to win, just dropping two games since that Week 1 loss.
Darnold said, "I think going into this one, there's some things always you can learn from watching the tape and that experience that you have going against a similar team and similar scheme. But again, we're just going to do what we do and go about our process the same way."
He added the biggest thing he learned was, "Just understanding the gravity of the game and all that stuff. But at the end of the day, it's just football. And I think that's the best part about it is people want to make it a little bit bigger than it is, but we're just going out there, we're playing against the Niners, a really good football team, a team that we're going to be prepared for, and it's going to be great though. The fans are going to be into it. It's going to be a great atmosphere, but other than that, it's football and we'll be ready to go for it."
While Saturday's road game will be for the division title and No.1 seed, it is worth noting that Seattle will be in the playoffs no matter the outcome of the game on Saturday.
The Seahawks kicked off the New Year with a practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on January 1, 2026.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) and Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) and long snapper Chris Stoll (41) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (37) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) and safety Quandre Diggs (37) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
