Sam Darnold erased one big blemish on his resume when he led the Seattle Seahawks to a 13-3 win at San Francisco in Week 18 that secured the NFC West crown and the NFC’s No. 1 overall seed and the first-round bye.
A year ago, Darnold had the Minnesota Vikings in a similar spot when he flopped in a 31-9 loss at Detroit in a showdown for the NFC North title and the top overall seed in the NFC playoffs.
A week later, his days as the Vikings quarterback came to an end in a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.
The Seahawks (14-3) are confident Darnold can rewrite his postseason fortunes just as he turned things around in Week 18 from his late-season struggles a year ago.
“The success speaks for itself,” right tackle Abe Lucas said. “He’s a Pro Bowl quarterback this year, and happy to see him have that success and really dial it in for everything that goes into it and the process that goes into it. So, he deserves it.”
The Seahawks will face the lowest remaining seed after the wild-card games this weekend.
A closer look at the playoff field:
1. Seattle Seahawks
Why they can win: The Seahawks, under second-year coach Mike Macdonald, are fresh off one of their finest regular seasons in the franchise’s 50-year history. Seattle won a franchise-record 14 games in the regular season, besting the 13 wins the Seahawks had in 2005 and 2013. The Seahawks have been buoyed by the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense, which is also tied for seventh in the NFL with 47 sacks. Overall, the Seahawks are one of the most talented and deepest teams in the NFC on both sides of the ball. But it is Seattle’s defense that has been critical to its record-setting season, thanks to stalwarts such as CB Devon Witherspoon and newcomers such as DE DeMarcus Lawrence.
2. Chicago Bears
Why they can win: The Bears’ worst-to-first transformation in coach Ben Johnson’s first season has been nothing short of remarkable. They’ve gone from finishing last in the NFC North to winning the division for the first time since 2018. They’re making their first playoff appearance in five years thanks to an offense that ranks among the best in the NFL, with quarterback Caleb Williams making strides in his second season. The Bears have also performed well in tense spots, pulling out six wins when trailing in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Why they can win: The Eagles are trying to make a run at their second straight Super Bowl championship and third appearance in four seasons. Jalen Hurts, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, enters the playoffs fresh after coach Nick Sirianni chose to rest several starters in Week 18. Hurts comes into Sunday with a 76.1% winning percentage including playoff games since 2022, which leads all quarterbacks. This season he threw for 3,224 yards and rushed for 421 more.
4. Carolina Panthers
Why they can win: Carolina has some big wins this season, beating the Packers on the road and the Rams at home. Cornerback is a strength behind the tandem of Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, and the defense overall has played well down the stretch. If the Panthers can keep games close, they have a chance. Bryce Young, who will make his playoff debut, has led 12 fourth-quarter or overtime winning drives since 2023, more than any QB in the league.
5. Los Angeles Rams
Why they can win: The Rams appeared to be the NFL’s most complete team in the second half of the season before they hit a two-game skid that knocked them out of the No. 1 spot in the NFC. They’ve still got the talented roster with the league’s most productive offense and a surprisingly effective defense, and they’re getting Davante Adams and Quentin Lake back in the lineup for the postseason. At their best this season, the Rams have been dominant behind their Super Bowl winning coach and quarterback.
6. San Francisco 49ers
Why they can win: The offense has been mostly potent for the 49ers since quarterback Brock Purdy returned from a toe injury in November. Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle are tough matchups for any defense and can help overcome any defensive deficiencies. Star linebacker Fred Warner has a chance to return if the team can reach the conference title game and would provide a huge lift. The Super Bowl then would be played on the home field for the Niners, a perfect setting for the franchise’s long-awaited sixth title.
7. Green Bay Packers
Why they can win: Green Bay showed it could make some noise as a No. 7 seed two years ago when it won at Dallas in a wild-card upset and led San Francisco most of the way in the divisional round before losing 24-21 on a late touchdown. The Packers have experience on this stage as they’re making their third straight playoff appearance. QB Jordan Love’s had a quality season as he has thrown 23 touchdown passes with only six interceptions.
