The winner of that game will be the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Seahawks will be the No. 5 seed if they lose. If the 49ers lose, they will be either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed. The Rams get the fifth seed — which is important because that team will face a weak NFC South champion — with a 49ers loss and a win over the Cardinals in the finale.

The NFL is clearly aiming to maximize television ratings for the final regular-season games with playoff implications. Moving the Seahawks-49ers game gives the matchup its own TV window while allowing the league to broadcast the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers contest on Sunday Night Football the following day.

Mike Florio and Chris Simms dive into the Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers matchup that will decide the winner of the NFC West as well as the conference's No. 1 seed.

The NFC West showdown is cleaner. If the Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers, they are the NFC West champs and No. 1 seed in the NFC. With a loss the 49ers would be the No. 5 or 6 seed, based on the Rams’ outcome on Sunday. If the 49ers win, they’re division champs and the No. 1 seed, and Seattle would be the No. 5 seed.

The NFL season continues in Week 17 when the Carolina Panthers host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Start time, how to watch, stream and NFL TV schedule.

The 49ers and Seahawks will face off in Week 18 to determine the NFC West winner. The victor will also take home the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the bye week that comes with it.

Seahawks' Sam Darnold joins Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, in 13-win NFL history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Seattle Seahawks make a bunch of roster moves ahead of Sunday's Week 18 division-deciding game versus the San Francisco 49ers.