It is finally here. The Divisional Round. January 17, 2026. The Pacific Northwest is literally vibrating—and I mean that literally, as the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network has actually installed sensors in Lumen Field to track just how hard the 12s shake the ground today. But if you're a Seahawks fan, your heart rate probably spiked for a different reason this week.
The Sam Darnold Injury Scare
Let's get right to the elephant in the locker room. Sam Darnold is officially listed as questionable for today's massive showdown against the San Francisco 49ers. He popped up on the injury report Thursday with an oblique issue. Honestly, when that news broke, the collective groan from Renton to Spokane was audible.
Darnold has been a revelation this year. He threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns during the regular season, leading Seattle to a 14-3 record and the No. 1 seed. He says he’s "really confident" he’ll play. He even told reporters the chance of him sitting out is "closer to zero." Still, an oblique injury for a guy who needs to rotate his torso to throw a football? It’s not nothing.
If for some reason he can't go, or if he gets hit early and can't finish, the keys go to Drew Lock or the rookie Jalen Milroe. That’s a terrifying prospect in a win-or-go-home game against a Niners defense that, while beatable, is still physical as hell.
The Battle of the Best
This isn't just another game. It’s the rubber match. Seattle beat the 49ers 13-3 in Week 18 to clinch the NFC West, but San Francisco took the first meeting back in Week 1.
Mike Macdonald has done something special here. In just his second season, he’s taken a defense that was bottom-tier and turned them into the best scoring defense in the NFL, allowing only 17.2 points per game. He’s currently a frontrunner for Coach of the Year, and rightfully so. He’s the first Seahawks coach to start a career with this kind of momentum since Chuck Knox in the early 80s.
But the 49ers are coming in with a healthy Trent Williams this time, which they didn't have in Week 18. That changes the math for Seattle’s pass rush. Leonard Williams and Boye Mafe are going to have a much harder time collapsing the pocket on Brock Purdy with that mountain of a man protecting the blind side.
Roster Moves and Key Returns
There is some genuinely good news on the health front.
- Charles Cross is back. He missed the last three games with a hamstring issue, and having him back at left tackle is huge, especially with his backup, Josh Jones, already ruled out with a knee injury.
- Coby Bryant is also returning to the secondary after missing time.
- On the flip side, don't expect to see Chazz Surratt or rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo today; they’ve been practicing, but the team didn't activate them from IR in time for the kickoff.
The X-factor for me is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He’s been an absolute monster, hauling in 119 catches for nearly 1,800 yards this season. With Cooper Kupp (who Seattle picked up mid-season) and Rashid Shaheed drawing attention, JSN should have plenty of room to work the middle of the field.
Seattle Seahawks Latest News: The Actionable Outlook
If you're heading to the stadium or watching from the couch, here is what you need to keep an eye on to see if the Seahawks actually advance to the NFC Championship:
1. Watch the first two drives. If Darnold is grimacing or short-arming his throws, the oblique is a bigger problem than he’s letting on. Keep an eye on his follow-through.
2. The 180-yard benchmark. In Week 18, Seattle ran for 180 yards. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet need to replicate that. If Seattle is forced to be one-dimensional because of Darnold's health, it’s going to be a long night.
3. Third-down defense. The Niners' Christian McCaffrey is the ultimate safety valve. If Mike Macdonald's scheme can't keep him under 100 total yards, San Francisco will control the clock and keep the 12s out of the game.
Expect a physical, ugly, beautiful game. Kickoff is at 5:00 p.m. PT on FOX. It’s time to see if the No. 1 seed is for real.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Monitor the active/inactive list exactly 90 minutes before kickoff to confirm Sam Darnold’s status.
- Check the local seismic activity reports post-game if you want to see if the fans actually broke the "Beast Quake" record.
- Follow the weather updates for Lumen Field; any late-afternoon drizzle could make the oblique injury even trickier for Darnold on a slick field.