Meanwhile, the trip back to Saturday’s Super Bowl site of Santa Clara, Calif., via Seattle, where the Seahawks have increased their chances of a return trip as history bodes well for the franchise in this scenario.
This is the fourth time in team history that Seattle has reached the No. 1 seed, and in each of the previous three occasions they have advanced to the Super Bowl (2005 season under Mike Holmgren; 2013-14 season under Pete Carroll).
Macdonald, in his second season after replacing Carroll, will aim to become the third head coach to lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl run and join his predecessor as the only coaches to win the Lombardi Trophy for the franchise.
Macdonald’s Seahawks set a franchise record for wins in a season with their 14th on Saturday and have emerged from what is widely considered the league’s toughest division — the NFC West — with the title.
Now it’s up to quarterback Sam Darnold, Pro Bowl wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a talented defense to rest up for a bye and then compete for the club’s first playoff victory since a 2019 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
A new NFC heavyweight has materialized in the 2025 season, as the Seahawks ensure the road to the Super Bowl will be through the Pacific Northwest.