The Seattle Seahawks are headed to the NFL playoffs, but the question going into Week 18 was whether the team would be playing during wild card weekend. Seattle needed a win over the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale to secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
The Seahawks did just that which means the team’s next game will take place on Saturday, January 17 or Sunday, January 18, in the divisional round. Seattle secured the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye as the win at San Francisco crowned the Seahawks as NFC West champions.
Seattle’s next opponent will not be confirmed until after all of the NFC wild card matchups have been completed. The Seahawks will face the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round once the wild card games have been completed as the NFL reseeds the playoff bracket based on seeding.
Here’s what you need to know about the Seahawks playoff schedule.
Seahawks’ Next Opponent: Who Will Seattle Play in the NFL Playoffs?
Not only do the Seahawks get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but Seattle will face the lowest remaining seed. Seattle’s most likely opponent is the winner of the No. 4 Carolina Panthers vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Rams.
An upset in the wild card round could change the Seahawks’ postseason opponent.
A Seattle loss to San Francisco would have meant that the Seahawks started the postseason on the road against the NFC South champion Panthers in the wild card round. Instead, the Seahawks will enter the postseason well rested with at least two weeks between games.
NFL Playoff Schedule: Wild Card Round Begins on Saturday, January 10
The Seahawks will begin their postseason run on Saturday, January 17 or Sunday, January 18, in a divisional round matchup. Seattle begins the postseason just two wins away from making the Super Bowl.
With the postseason around the corner, here’s a look at the entire NFL playoff schedule which begins on Saturday, January 10. The Seahawks will be resting at home, but there are plenty of intriguing matchups in the wild-card round.
All times listed are in Eastern. Seattle will not know their next opponent until after the NFC’s wild-card matchups have been completed.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
| January 10 | Rams vs. Panthers | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
| January 10 | Packers vs. Bears | 8 p.m. | Prime |
| January 11 | Bills vs. Jaguars | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| January 11 | 49ers vs. Eagles | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
| January 11 | Chargers vs. Patriots | 8 p.m. | NBC |
| January 12 | Texans at Steelers | 8 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| January 17 | Divisional Round | 4:30 p.m. | TBD |
| January 17 | Divisional Round | 8:15 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Divisional Round | 3 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Divisional Round | 6:30 p.m. | TBD |
| January 25 | AFC Championship | 3 p.m. | CBS |
| January 25 | NFC Championship | 6:30 p.m. | FOX |
| February 8 | Super Bowl 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | NBC |
NFL Playoff Bracket 2026: NFC Wild Card Games
Here’s a look at the updated NFC playoff bracket. The Seahawks hold the No. 1 seed and will host the highest remaining seed in the divisional round.
| Wild Card | Divisional Round | NFC Championship | Super Bowl |
| 7. Packers | |||
| 2. Bears | |||
| 6.49ers | |||
| NFC Championship | |||
| January 25 | |||
| 3. Eagles | |||
| Super Bowl | |||
| 5.Rams | Feb. 8, San Francisco | ||
| 1. Seahawks | (Will play highest seed) | ||
| 4. Panthers |
The Seahawks Secured the No. 1 Seed in the NFC, a 1st-Round Bye & Home-Field Advantage Throughout the NFL Playoffs
Seattle notched a massive win in San Francisco that not only secured the NFC West title but gives the Seahawks the best possible postseason path. The Seahawks’ win over the 49ers secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
Seattle was led by the team’s elite defense which held the Niners to three points. The Seahawks’ red zone offense and missed field goals were the only areas that were less than ideal. Thanks to Seattle’s defensive effort, including a game-changing red zone interception by Drake Thomas, the team’s inability to score touchdowns did not hurt the Seahawks.
The Seahawks are hoping to return to San Francisco for the Super Bowl. Thanks to the Week 18 win over the Niners, Seattle is just two wins away from doing just that.
Seahawks Playoff Schedule: Next Opponent, Date & Game