Seahawks Clinch NFC West and No. 1 Seed

A Roar at CenturyLink: Seahawks Seize the Crown

On a frigid Sunday that crackled with playoff electricity, the Seattle Seahawks didn't just beat the San Francisco 49ers—they buried a decade of divisional frustration under a avalanche of big plays and deafening noise.

One Game, Two Crowns

The 21-13 victory delivered more than bragging rights. It stamped the Seahawks as NFC West champions and, crucially, owners of the conference's No. 1 seed, ensuring a clear path through January's chaos at Lumen Field.

"We heard all week about San Fran's physicality," quarterback Geno Smith said, eyes still gleaming beneath a NFC West cap. "Tonight we reminded the league nobody hits harder than Seattle when the stakes are highest."

The Turning Point

Midway through the third quarter, 49ers tight end George Kittle appeared to knot the score on a 32-yard catch-and-run. Instead, a bone-jarring punch-out by rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon rolled into the end zone, where safety Jamal Adams pounced for a touchback.

Seventy-eight yards and six plays later, Kenneth Walker III dove across the goal line. The 14-point swing sent the crowd into a frenzy that registered on nearby seismographs—fitting for a city that coined the term "Beast Quake."

By the Numbers

• Seattle's defense sacked Brock Purdy five times, raising their league-leading total to 56.
• Smith finished 24-for-31 with 258 yards and two touchdowns, posting a 118.9 passer rating.
• The Seahawks clinched their first division title since 2020 and only the third No. 1 seed in franchise history.

Looking Ahead

With home-field advantage secured, head coach Pete Carroll can rest key starters in Week 18, fine-tuning a roster that blends savvy veterans with hungry newcomers. The quest for a second Lombardi Trophy runs through the Pacific Northwest, and the Seahawks, once again, look ready to make noise long into winter nights.