SEATTLE _ Make way for the top-seeded 49ers.
As they charge into the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, they do so after a 26-21, thrilling win over the host Seattle Seahawks, ending an eight-game losing streak at CenturyLink Field dating to 2012.
The 49ers (13-3) get next weekend off before hosting their first playoff game in Levi's Stadium's six-year history, and that divisional-round matchup could feature a rematch against the No. 5-seeded Seahawks (11-5) if they advance past their wild-card visit to the No. 3-seed Philadelphia Eagles (9-7).
In capturing their first NFC West title since 2012 and the 20th in franchise history, the 49ers needed Dre Greenlaw's heroics on the final play (and a replay review) to stop an insatiable Seahawks' rally.
Greenlaw stopped Jacob Hollister just short of the end zone on a fourth-and-goal reception, with nine seconds remaining. Jimmy Garoppolo's 2-yard sneak ate up the final seconds.
The 49ers had blanked the Seahawks 13-0 in the first half, but then held on as Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson worked his typical magic to put forth a second-half scare.
Wilson got the Seahawks down to the 12-yard line in the final minute, and three consecutive incompletions, Wilson found John Ursua at the 1-yard line. A delay-of-game penalty pushed the ball back to the 5, sent Marshawn Lynch back to the bench and incompletions followed until the Hollister catch-and-thud.
The Seahawks scored three touchdowns after halftime, and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon allowed a pair of touchdown catches, including a 14-yard scoring strike to DK Metcalf with 3:36 remaining.
The 49ers' ensuing drive could only kill just over a minute off the clock, hindered by center Ben Garland's unnecessary roughness penalty.
Marshawn Lynch, in his much-hyped encore with the Seahawks, pulled them within 19-14 with 9:55 remaining on a 1-yard touchdown plunge. Raheem Mostert's second touchdown run in as many drives, however, pumped the 49ers' lead back to 26-14 with 5:51 to go.
Here are the highs and lows of arguably the 49ers' biggest regular-season victory in their history, seeing how it also delivered their first No. 1 seed since 1997:
