The Seattle Seahawks are poised to face yet another clash against a rival from the NFC West, though the specific opponent remains uncertain.
In a thrilling kickoff for the 2026 NFL Playoffs, the Los Angeles Rams mounted a late-game comeback to narrowly defeat the Carolina Panthers, while the Chicago Bears executed a stunning turnaround against the Green Bay Packers. This unexpected turn of events means that the Seahawks will not be facing either of the two teams with the weakest records in the NFC playoff landscape. Had the Packers emerged victorious, they would have met the Seahawks in their next matchup.
In a dramatic finish, former Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson snagged a touchdown in the dying moments of the game, leading the Rams to a 34-31 victory over a determined Carolina team that had initially fallen behind 14-0 but rallied to seize a 31-27 advantage. Similarly, the Bears orchestrated an impressive comeback against the Packers, who had been comfortably ahead 21-3 at halftime. Quarterback Caleb Williams led Chicago to an extraordinary victory, notably after the Packers appeared to neglect effective clock management and defense during the critical final minutes. Williams connected with D.J. Moore for the winning touchdown just after the two-minute warning, following a missed field goal by Brandon McManus, marking his second miss of the night. Chicago's defense managed to hold strong in the closing moments, securing a win that was remarkable even by their standards.
Looking ahead to the Divisional Round, the Seahawks will find themselves facing the Rams again if the Philadelphia Eagles manage to defeat the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier this season, Seattle triumphed over the Rams in a thrilling overtime encounter, winning 38-37 in Week 16, which solidified their control over the NFC West. The Rams had previously edged out the Seahawks in their first meeting of the season, winning 21-19 in Week 11.
Alternatively, if the 49ers come out on top against the Eagles, the Seahawks will then meet San Francisco once more. Seattle secured the NFC West title and clinched the number one seed by defeating the 49ers 13-3 in their Week 18 showdown. However, San Francisco had taken the early season matchup by beating the Seahawks 17-13 at Lumen Field.
Fans can expect to hear about the official kickoff time and date, likely during the Sunday Night Football broadcast.
So, fasten your seatbelts! The Seahawks’ journey toward the Super Bowl is set to involve a final showdown with one of their division rivals. Although things seemed bleak for them at halftime in Chicago, the current circumstances present an entirely different reality.
