The Seattle Seahawks are headed into a playoff clash with the San Francisco 49ers at home for the first time since 2013 - and if that year rings a bell, it should. That was the last time these two NFC West rivals met in Seattle with a Super Bowl trip on the line.
While the stakes aren’t quite the same this time around, the energy is building, and the matchup is layered with intrigue. Let’s dig into four key numbers that could define Saturday’s NFC Divisional Round showdown.
4 - The Ground Game Is Finally Grounded
Early in the season, Seattle’s offense was flying high through the air but sputtering on the ground. They couldn’t find rhythm in the run game, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry through the first eight weeks - second-worst in the league. Not exactly the kind of balance you want heading into the colder months.
But something clicked down the stretch. Four of the Seahawks’ best rushing performances came after Week 10. Over the last three games, they’re averaging 5.3 yards per carry - a number that puts them in the same neighborhood as the Ravens and Bills, two of the most efficient rushing teams in football.
That’s not just a stat bump - it’s a shift in identity. Seattle’s ability to control tempo and stay ahead of the chains has become a legitimate strength. And in the postseason, when the weather gets colder and possessions get tighter, that matters.
3 - A Clash of Third-Down Titans
Third down is where games are won - or lost - and this one features a strength-on-strength battle. The 49ers come in as the league’s best third-down offense. They convert at a clip that keeps drives alive and defenses gasping.
But across the line, Seattle’s defense has been elite in those same situations. They’ve tightened up when it matters most, forcing punts and field goals instead of giving up six.
This is the kind of chess match that doesn’t always show up in highlight reels, but it’ll be crucial. If Seattle can get off the field on third down, they’ll put the pressure back on a San Francisco defense that’s been showing some cracks.
29 - The 49ers’ Pass Rush Problem
Here’s where things get lopsided. San Francisco’s defense ranks 29th in pass rush win rate and finished dead last in sacks during the regular season.
That’s not a typo. For a team with postseason aspirations, that’s a glaring weakness.
They’re struggling to generate pressure with just four rushers, and when you can’t disrupt the quarterback, you leave your secondary vulnerable - especially against a team like Seattle that’s built to hit big plays downfield when given time.
This sets up well for the Seahawks' offensive line, which has been quietly improving. If they can keep the pocket clean, it could be a long day for the 49ers’ defense.
30 - Where Did the Explosiveness Go?
Seattle’s offense was electric early in the season, thanks in part to how defenses were playing them. Sam Darnold was facing base coverage at one of the highest rates in the league, and he was making teams pay with deep strikes and chunk plays.
But lately, that spark has dimmed. Over the last three games, Darnold has just one pass play of 30-plus yards - and even that was more about Kenneth Walker III’s wheels than Darnold’s arm. It was a quick swing pass that Walker turned into a 46-yard gain against the Rams.
The question now: Can Seattle rediscover that vertical threat? Because while the run game and defense are playoff essentials, it’s the explosive plays that can break open tight games. And against a pass rush that’s been ineffective all year, this might be the perfect opportunity to let it fly.
Bottom Line:
This isn’t the same Seahawks team the 49ers saw in Week 18.
The run game is rolling, the defense is getting stops when it matters, and the offensive line has a chance to dominate a matchup in the trenches. If Seattle can unlock the deep ball again, they’ve got a real shot to punch their ticket to the NFC Championship.