The 2025 NFL regular season culminates in a blockbuster NFC West showdown in Week 18, with the Seattle Seahawks (13-3) facing the San Francisco 49ers (12-4) for the division title and the NFC’s No. 1 seed. A Seahawks victory secures both, while the 49ers need a win to leapfrog Seattle and claim home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This rivalry game features Seattle’s potent offense led by quarterback Sam Darnold against San Francisco’s resilient defense and quarterback Brock Purdy’s precision passing.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This state-of-the-art outdoor venue, home to the 49ers, has a capacity of about 68,500 and is known for its modern amenities and passionate fanbase.
Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT).
The matchup will be televised nationally on ESPN/ABC: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters (field reporter), Laura Rutledge (field reporter)
Westwood One: Nate Gatter, Ryan Harris
Weather Updates
Santa Clara’s early January weather is expected to be mild but potentially wet. Daytime highs will hover around 59-61°F, with nighttime lows dropping to 41-52°F. There’s a 55-90% chance of precipitation, including possible rain showers, with light winds around 2-5 mph and humidity in the 60-70% range. Conditions could impact passing games, but no severe disruptions are forecasted—players may need to adjust for slick turf.
Injury Report
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are dealing with significant concerns on the offensive line and secondary. Left tackle Charles Cross (hamstring) did not participate in practice and is questionable. Backup tackle Josh Jones (knee/ankle) was also a non-participant and remains doubtful. Wide receiver Cody White (groin) has been placed on injured reserve. Cornerback Coby Bryant (knee) and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (concussion) are questionable, with Shaheed in protocol. Quarterback Sam Darnold and key starters are expected to play, but the line injuries could expose the backfield.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are banged up across multiple positions, particularly on offense. Running back Christian McCaffrey (stiff back) missed practice and is questionable. Tight end George Kittle (undisclosed) returned to limited practice after missing Week 17 and is expected to play but monitored. Left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) is questionable with a “we’ll see” status from coach Kyle Shanahan. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk (undisclosed) did not practice. Defensive lineman Mykel Williams (undisclosed) is out. Quarterback Brock Purdy is full go, but depth issues could strain the short-week recovery.
Player Matchups
This NFC West finale could be decided by quarterback play and trench warfare, with injuries adding intrigue.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold vs. 49ers Secondary: Darnold has thrived in Seattle, posting efficient numbers, but faces a 49ers defense ranked highly in pass defense. Safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Charvarius Ward will aim to contain big plays, especially if McCaffrey’s absence limits San Francisco’s offense.
49ers QB Brock Purdy vs. Seahawks Defensive Backs: Purdy has been elite lately, but Seattle’s secondary, led by cornerback Devon Witherspoon, could force turnovers. If Trent Williams is out, edge rusher Boye Mafe might pressure Purdy into mistakes.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey vs. Seahawks Front Seven: If McCaffrey plays through his back issue, he’ll test Seattle’s run defense (middle of the pack). Linebacker Ernest Jones IV must contain McCaffrey’s dual-threat ability to keep the game close.
Seahawks WR DK Metcalf vs. 49ers CBs: Metcalf’s size and speed could exploit mismatches against Ward, setting up explosive plays if Darnold has protection amid line injuries.
Recent Team Forms
Seattle Seahawks (Last 5 Games):
The Seahawks have been dominant, going 4-1 in their final five with an average of 29.4 points per game offensively. Key results include a 31-17 win over the Steelers (Week 14), a 44-13 blowout vs. Saints (Week 15), and recent victories building momentum. Their only loss was a close divisional battle, but they’ve covered ATS in four of five. Form: W-W-W-L-W.
San Francisco 49ers (Last 5 Games):
The 49ers went 3-2 in their last five, averaging strong offensive output but with defensive lapses. Highlights include a 42-38 thriller win over the Bears (Week 17) and road successes, but losses to divisional foes exposed vulnerabilities. They’ve averaged 28 points but allowed 30+ in defeats. Form: W-L-W-L-W.
Series History
The Seahawks lead the all-time series 31-24, including playoffs. Seattle has won 17 of the last 21 meetings in the Pete Carroll era (though now under Mike Macdonald), but the 49ers dominated early history. Recent games have been competitive, with the teams splitting in 2024. This is their second meeting of 2025, after Seattle’s Week 1 win.
Betting Trends
Seattle Seahawks: 11-5 ATS overall in 2025, including 10-5-0 straight up and 6-1 ATS on the road. They’ve gone over in 9 of 16 games, trending high-scoring in wins but under in defensive stands. As favorites, they’re 8-3 ATS.
San Francisco 49ers: 10-5-1 ATS in 2025, with a strong 4-2 ATS at home. The over has hit in 9 of 16 games, driven by offensive firepower. As underdogs, they’re 3-2 ATS, but injuries have led to 2-3 ATS in recent weeks.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, 49ers 24.
SEAHAWKS NOTES:
• SEAHAWKS clinched 1st playoff berth since 2022 & with a win in Week 18, can win NFC West for 1st time since 2020 & No. 1 seed for 1st time since 2014. • QB SAM DARNOLD passed for 147 yards & TD in Week 17. Is 5th QB all-time to record 13+ wins in consecutive seasons & 1st to do so with different teams (Min. in 2024). Aims for 4th in row on road with TD pass. Ranks 5th with 3,850 pass yards & tied-7th with 25 TD passes this season. • RB ZACH CHARBONNET led team with season-high 110 rush yards & had 2 rush TDs in Week 17. Aims for 3rd in row with rush TD. Had rush TD in Week 1 meeting. Ranks tied-7th with 11 rush TDs this season. • RB KENNETH WALKER has 50+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5 games on road. • WR JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA had 9 receptions for 72 yards in Week 17. Leads the NFL with 1,709 rec. yards this season & is 3rd player in NFL history under age 24 with 1,700+ rec. yards in a single season. Had 124 rec. yards in Week 1 meeting. Aims for 3rd in row vs. SF with 100+ rec. yards. • TE AJ BARNER had TD catch in Week 17 & aims for 3rd in row with TD reception. • LB ERNEST JONES had 5 tackles in Week 17. Has 10+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 games. Had 8 tackles, TFL & INT in Week 1 meeting. Aims for 4th in row vs. SF with 8+ tackles. • LB DEMARCUS LAWRENCE had 6 tackles, sack, FF & FR in Week 17. Ranks tied-6th with 3 FFs this season. Aims for 3rd in row on road with FF. Had 6 tackles & 2 TFL in Week 1 meeting. • DT LEONARD WILLIAMS has TFL in 4 of his past 5 games vs. SF. • CB DEVON WITHERSPOON had PD in Week 17 & has PD in 3 of his past 4 games. Aims for 4th in row on road with PD. Had 8 tackles & TFL in Week 1 meeting. • S NICK EMMANWORI (rookie) has 7+ tackles in 2 of his past 3 games. • S JULIAN LOVE co-led team with 6 tackles & had 1st INT this season in Week 17. Had 10 tackles & sack in Week 1 meeting.
49ERS NOTES:
• 49ers clinched 4th playoff berth in past 5 years & with a win in Week 18, can win NFC West for 3rd time in past 4 seasons & No. 1 seed for 3rd time in past 7 seasons. Have been No. 1 seed 10 times since 1975, most in NFL. • QB BROCK PURDY passed for 303 yards & 3 TDs & had 2 rush TDs in Week 17, his 2nd consecutive game with 5 offensive TDs. 1st player with 5+ offensive TDs in back-to-back weeks since 2020. Aims for 4th in row with 115+ passer rating. Had 277 pass yards & 2 TD passes in Week 1 meeting. • RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY had 181 scrimmage yards (140 rush, 41 rec.) & rush TD in Week 17. Has 2,069 scrimmage yards this season & is 6th player since 1990 with 2,000+ scrimmage yards in 3 career seasons. Is 1 of 2 (HOFer LaDainian Tomlinson) to have 3 seasons with 2,000+ scrimmage yards & 15+ TDs. Had 142 scrimmage yards (73 rec., 69 rush) in Week 1 meeting. • WR JAUAN JENNINGS had TD catch in Week 17 & has TD reception in 5 consecutive games, longest active streak this season. Ranks tied-7th with 9 TD catches this season. • WR RICKY PEARSALL had 85 rec. yards in Week 17 & aims for 3rd in row with 85+ rec. yards. Had 108 rec. yards in Week 1 meeting. • TE GEORGE KITTLE aims for 3rd in row with 85+ rec. yards & TD reception. Ranks tied-4th among TEs with 7 TD catches this season. Had TD reception in Week 1 meeting. • TE JAKE TONGES had TD reception in Week 17 & had TD catch in Week 1 meeting. • LB DEE WINTERS had 7 tackles & TFL in Week 17. Aims for 3rd in row at home with TFL. Had 6 tackles & 2 TFL in Week 1 meeting. • LB TATUM BETHUNE led team with 11 tackles & had TFL & PD in Week 17. Has 9+ tackles in 7 of his past 8 games. Aims for 4th in row at home with 10+ tackles. • CB UPTON STOUT (rookie) had PD in Week 1 meeting. • S MALIK MUSTAPHA had PD in Week 17. Has 6+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 at home.
Game Odds
Seattle Seahawks – 1.5
San Francisco 49ers 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, January 2, 2026
