The NFL made a late change to the NFC West showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers less than one week before the Week 18 matchup. Some fans are up in arms over the NFL’s decision to move the Seahawks-49ers game with the NFC’s No. 1 seed on the line.
Both the Niners and Seahawks will get one less day of rest and preparation as the game was moved to Saturday, January 3, one day ahead of the originally scheduled matchup on Sunday, January 4. Fans and media members alike are taking to social media to protest the NFL’s decision to change the date of the game on such short notice.
The Seahawks square off against the 49ers at 8 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, January 3, on both ABC and ESPN. It is part of a Saturday double-header with the Carolina Panthers taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a playoff spot likely on the line.
“Brutal scheduling there, both teams on 5 days rest,” one fan reacted. “Niners have the only advantage of staying home and not taking another flight, especially cross country for the Hawks back to Seattle.”
“Why do we play on Saturday 😭,” another wondered.
Here’s what you need to know about the Seahawks-49ers game.
A Seahawks’ Loss to 49ers Would Likely Drop Seattle to the No. 5 Seed to Potentially Play All Road NFL Playoff Games
The reason for the outrage is that there is so much on the line. There is a massive difference in winning or losing this Week 18 matchup.
If the Seahawks win, the team will secure the No. 1 seed which results in a first-round bye. Additionally, Seattle would host their remaining playoff games at Lumen Field and face the highest remaining seed in the Divisional Round.
A 49ers victory would give San Francisco the same advantage, while the Seahawks would likely drop from the No. 1 seed to the No. 5 spot. Barring an unlikely scenario playing out, a Seattle loss means the Seahawks would travel to face either the Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round.
Seattle would be the road team despite having a better record as each division champion is guaranteed to host at least one home game in the postseason.
Seahawks vs. 49ers: Seattle Is a 1.5-Point Favorite at San Francisco in the NFL Odds for Week 18
It is particularly challenging for the Niners who played on Sunday night in Week 17. The NFL’s decision to flex is also less than ideal for the Seahawks as the team had to travel back from the East Coast then fly to Santa Clara with one less day of rest than anticipated. San Francisco has a quick turnaround but the 49ers have the advantage of not having to travel for the Week 18 clash.
“This is kind of crappy for Seattle, to be honest,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said in a December 28, post on X. “They’re traveling back from the East Coast tonight, and then have to go on the road again on a short week to try and win their division and the 1 seed.”
The Seahawks are a slight 1.5-point road favorite against the 49ers, per FanDuel. History says Seattle faces an uphill battle on a short week, but both teams will be dealing with a disadvantage thanks to the move.
“Seahawks will be 20th team in past 3 seasons to play back-to-back road games with the 2nd on a short week when they face 49ers on Saturday night,” Associated Press’ Josh Dubow noted in a December 29, message on X. “Those teams went 6-13 in those short-week road games.”
Complaints aside, a win would not only help the Seahawks secure the No. 1 seed, but Seattle would get an additional day of rest before the postseason.
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