Seahawks Dominate 49ers to Clinch NFC West, Earn Top Seed

Seattle's stifling defense and balanced offense lead to 13-3 victory over division rival

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:44am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game, with overlapping planes of navy, lime green, and crimson red representing the action on the field.The Seahawks' dominant defensive performance and balanced offensive attack proved too much for their NFC West rival 49ers in a crucial divisional showdown.Seattle Today

The Seahawks delivered a dominant performance against the 49ers, winning 13-3 to clinch the NFC West division title and secure the top playoff seed. Seattle's defense held the high-powered 49ers offense to just 173 total yards, while the offense got key contributions from running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. Quarterback Sam Darnold managed the game effectively, throwing for 198 yards on 20-of-26 passing.

Why it matters

This victory cements Seattle's status as the team to beat in the NFC, as they head into the playoffs with home-field advantage throughout. The Seahawks' stifling defense and balanced offensive attack proved too much for their division rival 49ers, setting up an intriguing postseason run for the NFC West champions.

The details

The game's turning point came in the first half when Zach Charbonnet's 27-yard touchdown run gave the Seahawks a lead they would not relinquish. Seattle's defense, led by coordinator Mike Macdonald, was the star of the day, limiting the 49ers' high-powered offense and forcing a key interception of Brock Purdy in the second half. The Seahawks' ground game also shined, with Walker and Charbonnet each surpassing 100 yards rushing.

  • The Seahawks scored the game's only touchdown in the first half on Charbonnet's 27-yard run.
  • Seattle's defense intercepted 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the second half, leading to a crucial field goal that made it a 10-3 game.

The players

Zach Charbonnet

Seahawks running back who scored the game's only touchdown on a 27-yard run in the first half.

Mike Macdonald

Seahawks defensive coordinator whose unit held the 49ers to just 173 total yards.

Sam Darnold

Seahawks quarterback who managed the game effectively, completing 20-of-26 passes for 198 yards.

Kenneth Walker

Seahawks running back who rushed for over 100 yards, complementing Charbonnet's production.

Brock Purdy

49ers quarterback who was intercepted in the second half, a key turning point in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Our defense really set the tone today and made it tough on their offense all game long. That's the kind of performance we need to keep making a deep playoff run.”

— Sam Darnold, Seahawks Quarterback

“We knew coming in that Seattle's defense was going to be a challenge, but we just couldn't get anything going consistently on offense. Credit to them for a great game plan and execution.”

— Brock Purdy, 49ers Quarterback

What’s next

The Seahawks will now enjoy a bye week as the NFC's top seed, awaiting their divisional round opponent. The 49ers will look to regroup and make a playoff push as a wild card team.

The takeaway

This dominant win over a division rival solidifies Seattle as the team to beat in the NFC. Their stifling defense and balanced offensive attack make them a formidable Super Bowl contender, as they aim to capture their first championship since 2014.