The Seattle Seahawks have once again come out on top in a fiercely contested matchup against their long-time rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. In a game that saw Seattle take an early lead and hold off a strong push from the 49ers, the Seahawks secured a 13-3 victory on the road. This win not only clinched the NFC West championship for the team but also guaranteed them the No. 1 seed in the conference heading into the playoffs.

Here are the standout performers and those who struggled in the regular season finale for Seattle:

Studs: Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet

The Seahawks entered this game with a clear plan to establish the run, and they executed it effectively throughout the contest. Ken Walker started the game strong with a powerful run that gained a first down, and later took a screen pass into scoring position. Zach Charbonnet then took over, scoring a touchdown quickly on Seattle’s second drive. Both players continued to make high-impact plays throughout the game. In total, the two combined for 171 rushing yards on just 33 carries.

Stud: QB Sam Darnold

Although the Seahawks could have been leading 20-0 by the midpoint of the second quarter, a few missed opportunities cost them crucial points. One of the most glaring was when Sam Darnold completely missed Zach Charbonnet as he streaked toward the end zone, resulting in a wasted opportunity for an easy touchdown. Despite these errors, Darnold managed to avoid any turnovers and only made one dangerous pass. That was all the offense the Seahawks needed from him in this game. Darnold completed 20 of 26 passes for 198 yards and a passer rating of 97.9.

Stud: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has consistently proven to be a reliable target for the Seahawks. For the 16th time in 17 regular season games, JSN delivered a big performance. He caught six of eight targets from Darnold for 84 receiving yards. His season totals now stand at 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Dud: K Jason Myers

Jason Myers has had a solid season overall, but in a game as close as this, every kick is a high-stakes moment. The Seahawks couldn’t afford for Myers to miss field goals like the one he did in the second quarter from 47 yards out—well within his range. Additionally, he missed a chip shot late in the fourth quarter that could have sealed the game.

Stud: CB Riq Woolen

Riq Woolen had a lot to prove after being the main culprit in the Seahawks’ heartbreaking loss to the 49ers in Week 1. This time around, the fourth-year corner performed admirably, showing tight coverage and even making some rare stops in open space.

Stud: OLB Boye Mafe

The Seahawks’ defensive line did an outstanding job, both containing Christian McCaffrey and applying pressure on Brock Purdy. One of the standout performers was outside linebacker Boye Mafe, who made several key stops, including a deflection that led to a critical fourth-quarter interception by Drake Thomas.

Stud: HC Mike Macdonald

Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori, Leonard Williams, and several other defenders all had strong performances. However, the real story here is the coaching. The Seahawks’ defense dominated the league’s best offensive playcaller, and head coach Mike Macdonald deserves serious consideration for Coach of the Year.

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