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The top seed in the NFC and the NFC West champion will be decided on Saturday, Jan. 3 when the Seattle Seahawks visit the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. in the second game of an NFL doubleheader to open Week 18.
This NFL game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. Fans looking to watch can do so for free by using DIRECTV, which offers a free trial, or FuboTV, which also offers a free trial as well as up to $30 off your first month. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but has promotional offers available for streaming the game, and NFL+ airs all local market games, and NFL+ Premium allows fans to watch NFL RedZone, condensed game replays and all-22 coaches film. You can stream ESPN Unlimited on your phone, tablet, smart TV or gaming console, and bundle your plan with NFL+ Premium or with NFL+ Premium, Disney+ and Hulu. Additionally, those with DIRECTV, FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV can access ESPN Unlimited through their package.
Streaming ServiceStarting Monthly PriceFree TrialFree Trial LengthMax DiscountDIRECTV$89.99Yes5 days$40 off first monthFuboTV$55.99Yes5 days$30 off first monthSling TV$45.99NoN/A$30 off first monthESPN$12.99NoN/AN/ANFL+$6.99NoN/AN/A
The Seahawks can clinch the division and the bye week with a win or tie thanks to their 13-3 record entering Week 18. Quarterback Sam Darnold finds himself in the same exact situation he was in last year when he was the signal caller for the Minnesota Vikings. In that season, Darnold, one of the league’s top receivers and one of the best defenses in the NFL were on the road to take on a division foe with the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line. The Vikings lost, were the No. 5 seed, and then lost on the road to the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams. This time around, Jaxon Smith-Njigba replaces Justin Jefferson, and the defense Darnold is leaning on is ranked fifth in yards and second in scoring compared to 17th in yards and fifth in scoring.
The 49ers need a win to get the No. 1 seed, but a tie would clinch the No. 5 seed. San Francisco is in a situation where it could avoid leaving home for the rest of the season with a win, as Super Bowl LX will be held at Levi’s Stadium. Brock Purdy was injured for about half of the season, and with him down, Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings and George Kittle have stepped up even more to keep the offense almost as lethal as its ever been under coach Kyle Shanahan. With a loss, San Francisco could drop down to the No. 6 seed if the Rams also win on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
In Week 1, the 49ers went on the road and defeated the Seahawks, 17-13, as Purdy tossed a game-winning score in the final 94 seconds because Darnold fumbled with Seattle at the San Francisco 16-yard-line and around 40 seconds left.
Who: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
When: Saturday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. EST
Where: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Stream: DIRECTV (free trial); FuboTV (free trial); SlingTV; ESPN; NFL+
Betting: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.