Seattle Shuts Down San Francisco
In a crucial Week 18 matchup, the Seattle Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers in a 13–3 victory. Seattle's defense stifled Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey as they secured the NFC West title and clinched the top playoff spot in the NFC. The 49ers will now shift focus to the postseason with a high-stakes playoff rematch looming.
Week 18 — January 3, 2026
Santa Clara, CA • Levi’s Stadium
Final Score: Seattle Seahawks 13, San Francisco 49ers 3
Game Summary
Seattle set the tone early in the first quarter with the game’s only touchdown. Running back Zach Charbonnet broke free for a 27-yard scoring run, giving the Seahawks an early lead they would never relinquish. From that point forward, Seattle leaned on its defense and ball control offense to keep San Francisco in check.
The 49ers struggled to find rhythm on offense throughout the night. Brock Purdy faced consistent pressure and was unable to push the ball downfield effectively. San Francisco’s lone scoring drive ended with a 48-yard field goal by Eddy Piñeiro, accounting for the team’s only points.
Seattle added two field goals by Jason Myers in the second half, extending the lead and putting the game out of reach. Despite multiple defensive stops by the 49ers, the offense could not capitalize, resulting in one of their lowest-scoring performances of the season.
Key Player Performances
- Brock Purdy (SF): 19/27, 127 passing yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
- Christian McCaffrey (SF): Limited to 23 rushing yards as Seattle stacked the box
- Sam Darnold (SEA): 20/26, 198 passing yards, steady and mistake-free
- Zach Charbonnet (SEA): 27-yard rushing TD, tone-setting performance
Coach Mike Macdonald & the Seahawks’ Rise
Seattle’s Week 18 victory didn’t just clinch the NFC West and the No. 1 seed — it also underscored the rapid impact of Head Coach Mike Macdonald in just his second season leading the Seahawks. Macdonald, who was hired on January 31, 2024, became the ninth head coach in franchise history and the youngest active head coach in the NFL upon his arrival. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Macdonald?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Under Macdonald’s leadership, Seattle has undergone a dramatic turnaround. After a promising yet playoff-less 10–7 finish in his first season, Macdonald guided the Seahawks to a franchise-record 14–3 regular season, securing home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Week 18 win over the 49ers — in which Seattle held San Francisco to just 173 total yards and nine first downs — illustrated Macdonald’s influence on both sides of the ball. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Seattle_Seahawks_season?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Macdonald’s philosophy emphasizes complementary football and team cohesion. In press conferences ahead of the playoffs, he highlighted the importance of process and preparation, encouraging his players to approach postseason games with the same mindset as “Week 19” rather than being overwhelmed by circumstance — a reflection of the culture he’s built since arriving in Seattle. ([seahawks.com](https://www.seahawks.com/video/head-coach-mike-macdonald-previews-the-divisional-round-matchup-vs-49ers?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The defense, long a point of inconsistency for the Seahawks, has become a strength under Macdonald’s direction, with improved coverage schemes and pressure generation that were on full display in Week 18. Meanwhile, his trust in offensive leaders such as Sam Darnold — and a willingness to let playmakers make plays while managing risk — has paid dividends throughout the season. ([si.com](https://www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/onsi/mike-macdonald-hits-bullseye-on-managing-sam-darnold-turnovers-seattle-seahawks?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
With the NFC’s top seed in hand and a bye week secured, Macdonald will have the chance to guide Seattle deeper into the playoffs than he has before — a meaningful milestone not just for the team, but for the franchise’s evolving identity under its young head coach.
What This Loss Means
The defeat drops the 49ers to 12–5 on the season and sends them into the playoffs without the momentum they were hoping to carry. Seattle, meanwhile, clinched the NFC West title and secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC, earning a first-round bye.
For San Francisco, the focus now shifts to the postseason. Despite the disappointing performance, the 49ers remain one of the most talented teams in the NFC and will look to regroup quickly as they prepare for a high-stakes playoff rematch.
Looking Ahead
The rivalry is far from over. The 49ers and Seahawks can meet again in the NFC Divisional Round, with everything on the line. San Francisco will need a sharper offensive execution and a fast start if they hope to flip the script and keep their Super Bowl dreams alive.
LABELS
San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Week 18, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, 49ers Offense, Seahawks Defense, Mike Macdonald, PFF Grades, Zach Charbonnet, Sam Darnold, 49ers Playoffs, NFC Playoff Race, Seattle Defense Leaders
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1 Comments
Next game vs Seahawks will be different!
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