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SAN FRANCISCO – Before the season, it was assumed that the Seattle Seahawks would be on the road to the Super Bowl, but almost everyone was wrong.
The team’s offseason included a major overhaul, the trade of Geno Smith, the signing of Sam Darnold and even the possibility of DK Metcalf joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Those decisions turned out for the best, as they clinched first place in the NFC with a 14-3 record and are now one win away from their first title in 12 years.
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Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Harry Comment/Getty Images)
The Seahawks dismantled their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers, in Week 18 to clinch the top spot, then did it again two weeks later in the divisional round.
“They’re a heck of a team. You know, they beat us in those two games. They definitely had our number in those two games. We had to play better, we had to limit our mistakes,” Christian McCaffrey told PK Press Club Digital on Radio Row.
“They’re a really well-coached team. Obviously they have talent in all areas, their defense is good, Sam leads the offense with Klint Kubiak,” added Brock Purdy. “They did a really good job, man. They deserved it. They’re a team that we obviously have to be ready for every week, or every time we play them. Overall, they’re a really good team.”
Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers is pressured by DeMarcus Lawrence of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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McCaffrey, however, said the Niners didn’t exactly get the benefit of the doubt against the heavyweight with some scheduling craziness.
“I don’t want to make excuses, but the NFL gave us three short weeks at the end of a season when we had Week 14 off, so they didn’t do us any favors,” McCaffrey said. “When you have that many injuries and you’re already kind of decimated, and you put a team like that on short weeks, it makes things more difficult.
“But at the same time, these guys beat us, they beat us in every facet of the game. And if we want to win, we have to play better. It’s as simple as that.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards while catching 119 passes, including 10 for touchdowns. Darnold also became the only quarterback to win 14 or more games for two different teams in consecutive seasons.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks in action during the 2025 NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on January 3, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
They will face the New England Patriots on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, where McCaffrey and Purdy live.
