The 2026 NFL playoffs are heating up, and this weekend's NFC Divisional Round matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks is loaded with storylines. These two NFC West rivals are no strangers to high-stakes battles, and Saturday's clash promises to be another chapter in their fierce rivalry-with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line.
Let’s set the stage.
Seattle Returns From the Bye, Rested and Ready
The Seahawks enter this one as the NFC’s No. 1 seed, which earned them a well-deserved bye during Wild Card Weekend. That extra rest could prove crucial, especially as they prepare to face a 49ers team that’s already been through a playoff war.
It’s also worth noting that Seattle’s last game came in Week 18-against these very same 49ers. The Seahawks came out on top in that one, and they’ll look to replicate that success at home, where the crowd will be rocking.
San Francisco Riding Postseason Momentum
On the other side, the 49ers are coming in hot. As the No. 6 seed, San Francisco had to go on the road to face the No. 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles last weekend-and they pulled off a gritty upset to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Now, they’re back on the road again, heading into one of the toughest environments in the league. But if last weekend proved anything, it’s that this Niners squad isn’t afraid of the moment.
What’s Next? NFC Championship Scenarios
The winner of this NFC West showdown won’t have to wait long to find out who they’ll face next. Sunday night’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears will determine the other half of the NFC Championship matchup.
Let’s break down the possibilities:
- If Seattle wins, they’ll host the NFC Championship Game, regardless of who wins between the Rams and Bears. That’s the benefit of being the top seed-you stay home as long as you keep winning.
- If San Francisco wins, they’ll be on the road again next week, traveling to face the winner of Rams vs.
Bears. The 49ers are already road-tested, and if they can knock off the No. 1 seed, they’ll carry serious momentum into the conference title game.
A Look at the Potential Opponents
No. 2 Chicago Bears
What a turnaround it’s been in Chicago. First-year head coach Ben Johnson has brought a new energy to the Bears, guiding them to an 11-6 record and the NFC North crown.
Quarterback Caleb Williams has made a big leap in his second season, coming just shy of the 4,000-yard mark with 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns. That’s the kind of growth Bears fans have been waiting for.
In the Wild Card round, Chicago hosted division rival Green Bay for the third time this season. With the season on the line, the Bears delivered, outlasting the Packers in a 31-27 thriller. It wasn’t always pretty, but in the playoffs, it’s about surviving and advancing-and the Bears did just that.
No. 5 Los Angeles Rams
The Rams may have come into the postseason as the No. 5 seed, but don’t let that fool you-this is a team that nearly claimed the top spot in the NFC. Their reward for landing at No.
5? A road trip to face a Carolina Panthers team that limped into the playoffs with a losing record.
But the Panthers didn’t go quietly. The Rams had to dig deep, scoring the game-winning touchdown with just 38 seconds left to avoid an early exit.
It was a wake-up call, but also a reminder of this team’s resilience. Now, they head to Chicago with a spot in the NFC title game on the line.
So here we are-49ers vs. Seahawks, with everything on the line.
One team will take a step closer to the Super Bowl. The other will head home.
In January, it’s not just about talent-it’s about execution, toughness, and seizing the moment. And with the way this NFC bracket is shaping up, every snap matters.