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Race for the NFC's No. 1 seed: Biggest questions for Seahawks-49ers

Both teams are treating Saturday as a playoff game with the No. 1 seed's playoff bye week on the line.

7hNick Wagoner and Brady Henderson
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    NFL SCOREBOARD

    IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS

    Our guide to every Week 18 NFL game: Matchup previews, predictions and what's at stake

    Must-win AFC North and NFC South showdowns? No. 1 seeds on the line? We have picks, predictions, stats and what's at stake for every Week 18 game.

    1dNFL Nation and Seth Walder
    David Jensen/Getty Images

    Let's game-plan for 10 teams that need Week 18 wins

    We found one thing each of them must do in Week 18 to get it done.

    1dMatt Bowen

    QUARTERBACK FOCUS

    Why the Vikings' plan for J.J. McCarthy failed -- and what it means for 2026

    What went wrong and what will Minnesota change to give McCarthy the best shot at becoming its franchise QB?

    7hKevin Seifert
    Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire

    What to expect from Browns QB Shedeur Sanders' final 2025 start

    Through six starts and a roller coaster of a season, the rookie QB will seek consistency Sunday at Cincinnati.

    7hDaniel Oyefusi

    NFL DRAFT

    APRIL 23-25

    NFL draft prospects with a true Round 1 grade: 11 players who are clear first-rounders

    We'll see 32 picks in Round 1 on April 23, but which prospects have actually earned a first-round grade? Right now, there are 11 in this 2026 class.

    7hMatt Miller
    Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images

    NFL NATION

    Cam Ward's rookie year: A timeline look at the ups, downs for the No. 1 pick

    The Titans selected Ward with the first pick in hopes that he would become the face of the franchise.

    7hTurron Davenport
    Justin Ford/Getty Images

    Why Trey Lance feels his latest landing spot in L.A. is different

    7hKris Rhim

    Bengals flop without Joe Burrow, need better supporting cast

    7hBen Baby

    Chiefs' 1,000-yard droughts at RB and WR highlight critical offseason

    7hNate Taylor

    How Shough went from backup to ROY candidate

    7hKatherine Terrell

    MUST-WIN GAMES

    An advanced analytics look at Panthers-Bucs, Seahawks-49ers, Ravens-Steelers

    Next Gen Stats looks at Baker Mayfield holding the ball too long, the Seahawks' pressure, and Zay Flowers' success vs. man.

    1dDJ Bien-Aime
    Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

    Could Ravens-Steelers loser move on from its coach?

    23h
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    NFL Playoff Machine

    • Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

    • Simulate playoff matchups

      Predict playoff pairings by selecting the winners of the remaining regular-season games to generate potential scenarios.

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