Seahawks’ Divisional Round outlook: Who could they host next?
The Seattle Seahawks won’t play this weekend thanks to securing the NFC’s top seed. Here’s who they could host next week.
The Seattle Seahawks locked up the NFC No. 1 seed with a 14–3 record, securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The top seed in the NFC gives Seattle the luxury of skipping the Wild Card games and hosting its divisional matchup on Jan. 17–18. But the opponent won’t be known until after the Wild Card winners are finalized.
Recap: how playoff matchups are set
In the NFL postseason:
- Teams are initially seeded 1 through 7 based on regular-season record and tiebreakers.
- Wild Card winners are not placed by bracket alone; they’re re-seeded.
- The No. 1 seed always plays the lowest remaining seed in the next round.
- This continues through the Conference Championships, ensuring the top seed always earns the statistical path of least resistance.
Potential teams the Seahawks could face
Here’s the slate of potential Divisional Round opponents from the NFC bracket based on Wild Card games:
• No. 4 Carolina Panthers
If the Panthers defeat the No. 5 Rams in the Wild Card Round and other seeds hold, Carolina would be the lowest remaining seed and thus the Seahawks’ opponent. Carolina clinched the NFC South despite finishing 8–9 in the regular season, setting up a tough road playoff test.
• No. 5 Los Angeles Rams
Should the Rams win their Wild Card matchup and the Panthers fall, Los Angeles would be Seattle’s likely Divisional Round foe. The Rams boast offensive firepower with Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams, making them a dangerous opponent.
• No. 6 San Francisco 49ers
If the 49ers top the No. 3 Eagles or other shocks happen in the Wild Card Round, they could be the lowest team standing. A Seahawks-49ers matchup would revive one of the NFL’s great NFC rivalries.
• No. 7 Green Bay Packers
If the Packers upset No. 2 Bears and other upsets occur, Green Bay would be Seattle’s Divisional Round opponent as the lowest remaining seed.
Home-field advantage can’t be overstated: Seattle’s raucous crowd and favorable weather (or indoor comfort in some games) often tilt momentum early. Drawing the lowest surviving seed gives the Seahawks the best possible matchups on paper, rewarding them for their regular-season success.
With the Divisional Round still to be set, Seattle’s path to the NFC Championship hinges on containing whichever underdog emerges, from Carolina’s grit to the formidable offenses of the Rams or 49ers.
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