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The NFC West — and the NFC at large —remains up for grabs ahead of Week 18, with both the 49ers and Seahawks posting win-filled campaigns en route to establishing themselves as prospective Super Bowl candidates.
Both San Francisco and Seattle have already punched their tickets to the postseason, having vanquished most foes who have trotted upon their paths. But with one game separating the two sides, few regular-season finales have proven as consequential to postseason seeding as this one. The terms are as follows: the winner is crowned NFC West champions and the given home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The loser, meanwhile, gets the No. 5 seed and road duel with the winner of the NFC South.
WATCH: 49ers vs. Seahawks LIVE with Fubo (free trial)
Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold have impressed as of late, putting forth impressive campaigns — albeit in different ways. The former has posted back-to-back five-touchdown outings, conjuring up memories of his fourth-place finish in MVP voting two years ago. The latter, meanwhile, has struck up quite the partnership with Jaxon Smith-Njigba — a battery that Mike Macdonald and Co. hope can lead them to the promised land.
All of that is to say, expect fireworks at Levi’s Stadium come Saturday night.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Saturday’s Week 18 contest between the 49ers and the Seahawks. Follow below for highlights, live results and more as two of football’s best sides compete for NFC West supremacy.
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49ers vs. Seahawks live updates, highlights from NFL Week 18 game
(All times Eastern)
9:40 p.m.: We’re back in action from Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers will receive the ball to start the half.
End of second quarter: Seahawks 10, 49ers 3
9:20 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! The 49ers get on the board courtesy of the trifecta.
Seahawks 10, 49ers 3
9:11 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Seattle tacks on three to its advantage, with Myers finding his mark from distance.
Seahawks 10, 49ers 0
9:04 p.m.: There has been little to write about thus far, with neither side able to consistently produce yards against the opposition defense. San Francisco’s torpidity has proven especially noteworthy: the 49ers’ haven’t scored in their first three possessions. The only other times they’ve reached such a mark? Losses to the Texans and Rams.
The 49ers have not scored on their first 3 possessions of the game for the 3rd time this season.
They lost the previous 2 instances against the Texans in Week 8 and the Rams in Week 10. #NFLonESPNInsights
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) January 4, 2026
8:45 p.m: Seattle looked to have doubled its advantage, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba evading his marker after fielding a toss from Sam Darnold. However, he was deemed to have stepped out of bounds before charting his path into the end zone.
Jason Myers’ subsequent field goal effort missed the mark. San Francisco will receive the ball in decent field position.
End of first quarter: Seahawks 7, 49ers 0
8:29 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Zach Charbonnet races around the bend to open the scoring for Seahawks.
Zach Charbonnet with room to run!
SEAvsSF on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/RA2RIsF3C7
— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2026
Seahawks 7, 49ers 0
8:20 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS! The Niners get the stop on the goal line! Sam Darnold misses his target on fourth as San Francisco rallies to prevent a Seahawks score.
8:15 p.m.: Seattle has traipsed its way down the field, finding success on via both air and ground. The Seahawks find themselves on the cusp of the end zone.
8:05 p.m.: And we’re off! Seattle starts the contest with possession of the ball!
7:30 p.m.: Here’s a look at the inactives for tonight’s contest:
The #49ers inactive players for tonight’s game⬇️#FTTB pic.twitter.com/vfZSu2rwjs
— Niners Lead (@NinersLead) January 3, 2026
Josh Jones is ACTIVE for #Seahawks.
No other surprises, though team opts to deactivate Nick Kallerup in favor of Brandon Pili suiting up tonight. pic.twitter.com/zoC00Mw6TM
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) January 3, 2026
7:00 p.m.: Once again, for those who are uninitiated: this game will decide both the winner of the NFC West and the top seed in the NFC as a whole. In the words of the late D’Angelo (invoking De La Soul), “The Stakes is High.”
MORE 49ERS-SEAHAWKS NEWS:
Where to watch 49ers vs. Seahawks49ers vs. Seahawks start timeDate: Saturday, Jan. 3Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Kickoff for the 49ers vs. Seahawks’ Week 18 clash is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
What channel is 49ers vs. Seahawks on today?
San Francisco and Seattle’s bout will air nationally on ABC and ESPN. Cord-cutters can find the action on Fubo or the ESPN app.
MORE WEEK 18 NFL:
Here is a look at the schedule for the final week of the 2025 regular season.
Saturday, Jan. 3 GameTime (ET)BroadcastPanthers vs. Buccaneers4:30 p.m.ABC, ESPNSeahawks vs. 49ers8 p.m.ABC, ESPNSunday, Jan. 4GameTime (ET)BroadcastSaints vs. Falcons1 p.m.FoxBrowns vs. Bengals1 p.m.CBSPackers vs. Vikings1 p.m.CBSCowboys vs. Giants1 p.m.FoxTitans vs. Jaguars1 p.m.FoxColts vs. Texans1 p.m.CBSJets vs. Bills4:25 p.m.CBSLions vs. Bears4:25 p.m.FoxChargers vs. Broncos4:25 p.m.CBSChiefs vs. Raiders4:25 p.m.CBSCardinals vs. Rams4:25 p.m.FoxDolphins vs. Patriots4:25 p.m.FoxCommanders vs. Eagles4:25 p.m.CBSRavens vs. Steelers8:20 p.m.NBCRelated Links