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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Seahawks sow seed of success, Buccaneers' playoff hopes alive
Sebastian Tan, AAP • January 4th, 2026 6:00 pm
Seattle's Zach Charbonnet storms his way to a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers | Photo: AP
The Seattle Seahawks have claimed the treasured NFC number one seed for the first time since 2014 after a 13-3 win over their bitter rivals, the San Francisco 49ers.
In a game full of playoff ramifications, San Francisco had a golden chance to snatch the number one seed, the NFC West title and play the entire post-season, including the Super Bowl, at their home-ground Levi's Stadium.
But Seattle denied them, earning the Seahawks (14-3) the NFC West championship, a first-round bye and home advantage until the "Big Game".
The 49ers may also slip to the NFC's six seed, setting up a potential date with reigning champions the Philadelphia Eagles or the Chicago Bears if the LA Rams win on Monday (NZ time).
Running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet combined to rush for 171 yards, while quarterback Sam Darnold was 20-of-27 passing for 198 yards.
Charbonnet also had the game's sole touchdown in the first quarter, and Jason Myers kicked two field goals.
Going into the match, the 49ers (12-5) were on a six-game winning streak and had scored 90 points in their previous two matches.
But Seattle's defence was virtually impenetrable, holding the red-hot offence to 173 yards and just nine first downs.
Quarterback Brock Purdy made 127 yards with one interception, and Pro-Bowler Christian McCaffrey was limited to 23 yards on eight carries.
In the earlier clash on Sunday (NZ time), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept their playoff hopes alive, winning a sloppy 16-14 clash against division rivals, the Carolina Panthers.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass in the win over the Panthers | Photo: AP
A Panthers win would have made them NFC South champions, earning them a playoff berth for the first time since 2018.
However, the Buccaneers' victory means the winners of the division will be decided on Monday (NZ time) when the Atlanta Falcons tackle the New Orleans Saints.
If the Falcons win, the Panthers (8-9) will secure their first division championship since 2015.
But if the Saints (6-10) beat or tie with Atlanta (7-9), they will clinch a fifth straight NFC South title.
The Buccaneers hold a two-team tiebreaker over the Panthers, but Carolina hold the three-team tiebreaker over Tampa Bay and Atlanta.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 203 yards, including a touchdown, and kicker Chase McLaughlin slotted three field goals at a wet Raymond James Stadium.
It wasn't smooth sailing for Tampa Bay, as Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw 264 yards and two touchdowns, including one with 2:27 minutes remaining.
After the 24-year-old's second six-pointer, the Buccaneers produced an extended drive, and Carolina couldn't capitalise after getting the ball back with 18 seconds to go.
- with AP
