Victory against the 49ers: Seahawks secure a playoff bye

The Seattle Seahawks secured first place in the NFC on the last day of the NFL regular season.

04 January 2026

From: dpa

The 2014 Super Bowl champions defeated the San Francisco 49ers 13-3 on the road, securing an optimal starting position for the upcoming National Football League playoffs. With this victory, the Seahawks earned a first-round bye and will have home-field advantage in every game on their way to the Super Bowl.

At Levi's Stadium, Seattle once again relied on its strong defense. The visitors got off to a better start, taking an early 7-0 lead with a 27-yard touchdown by running back Zach Charbonnet. After each team scored a field goal, the score was 10-3 at halftime. The Seahawks' defense held firm against the 49ers' offense after the break. Another field goal in the fourth quarter sealed the victory and Seattle's seventh straight win.

Buccaneers keep playoff hopes alive

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended their losing streak. In the decisive game against the Carolina Panthers, the team led by quarterback Baker Mayfield won 16-14, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
With 8 wins and 9 losses each, both teams now need help from other teams, as only the winner of the NFC South advances to the playoffs. Tampa Bay needs a New Orleans Saints win against the Atlanta Falcons today, or a tie, while Carolina is hoping for a Falcons victory.

Keywords American football NFL Seattle Seahawks