Rain, wind and postseason stakes will collide Saturday night when the Seattle Seahawks visit the San Francisco 49ers in a winner-take-all NFC West showdown at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
According to AccuWeather, the day will feature periods of rain and blustery conditions that could influence the 8 p.m. ET kickoff. Temperatures are expected to peak around 63 degrees in the afternoon before settling into the mid-to-high 50s at night.
Morning rain chances begin as early as 6 a.m., with wind chill making it feel significantly colder than the thermometer suggests. Showers are forecast to return in the afternoon as south-southwesterly winds increase to 16 mph, with gusts up to 31 mph.
Rain becomes more persistent in the evening, with precipitation chances climbing above 80 percent by late night.
The weather adds another variable to a matchup that will determine both the NFC West champion and the conference’s No. 1 seed.
Seattle enters at 13-3 riding a six-game winning streak, matched by San Francisco’s surge to 12-4 over the same span. The winner earns home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Quarterback play will be central to the outcome. Seattle’s Sam Darnold, the Jets’ former first rounder, has delivered wins but also 20 of the team’s 28 turnovers, while San Francisco’s Brock Purdy arrives scorching hot after throwing five touchdowns in each of his last two games.
Injuries loom large on both sides. The Seahawks will be without starting left tackle Charles Cross, ruled out with a hamstring injury, a notable absence against San Francisco’s front.
Safety Coby Bryant is doubtful with a knee issue, and lineman Josh Jones is questionable. For the 49ers, George Kittle, Trent Williams, and Ricky Pearsall are all listed as questionable, while Christian McCaffrey managed a back issue during the week but is expected to play.
With rain falling, winds swirling and playoff positioning on the line, Saturday night promises a tense, physical finale in Santa Clara.
