Sam Darnold equals Tom Brady with 14 consecutive wins and leads Seahawks to top of NFC

Sam The quarterback repeated his performance from the previous year, when he played for Minnesota Vikings, and became the second player in the position to achieve 14 or more wins as a starter in consecutive seasons. Essa trademark was exclusive to Tom Brady, acquired in 2003 and 2004 by New England Patriots. The campaign culminated with a 13-3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, in a match held on January 3, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium, at Santa Clara, at Estados Unidos.

The Seahawks secured the NFC Oeste title and the best Conferência Nacional campaign, with a 14-3 record. Essa performance assured the team of the wild card round and field control in all NFC playoff games until an eventual conference final. Darnold, at 28 years old, stood out as a central piece in the franchise’s balanced attack.

• The quarterback completed efficient passes and avoided decisive turnovers in the final game.
• The Seattle defense limited the 49ers to just one field goal the entire game.
• The ground game, led by running backs like Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III, accumulated important yards to control the clock.

mood.pic.twitter.com/bP4XShgQF9

— xz* – Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks)January 4, 2026

Trajectory from Darnold to achievement

Sam Darnold arrived at Seahawks in March 2025, after signing a three-year contract. Ele replaced Geno Smith, switched to another team, and found stability under the command of coach Mike Macdonald. The quarterback revived his career after stints with Jets, Panthers and a standout season with the Vikings in 2024.

In Seattle, Darnold has posted solid numbers through 2025 with over 4K air yards in many projections. Ele faced criticism for turnovers in some games, but maintained consistency in key moments. The victory over the 49ers exemplified his game management, with precise passes and support in the ground attack.

Comparison with the mark of Tom Brady

Tom Brady reached 14 wins in 2003 and 2004, when the regular season had 16 games. The legendary quarterback guided the Patriots to Super Bowl titles in these early campaigns of his dynasty. Brady alone held that mark for over two decades, until Darnold repeated it in the current 17-game format.

Darnold added a unique twist to the story. Ele became the first quarterback to record 14 wins in consecutive seasons for different franchises. Essa quick adaptation to varied offensive systems highlighted his resilience and leadership.

Seahawks record campaign

The 2025 season marked the best performance in the history of the Seahawks, with 14 wins in the franchise’s 50 years. The team won seven games in a row in the final stretch, including decisive divisional duels. The defense emerged as one of the strongest in the league, stifling opponents in crucial matches.

The balanced attack combined Darnold passing with a strong running game. Jogadores like Jaxon Smith-Njigba contributed with important receptions throughout the year. Seattle exceeded initial expectations and positioned themselves as the NFC favorite for the playoffs.

Advantages in the NFC playoffs

With seed number 1, Seahawks will play in the wild card, played between January 10th and 12th, 2026. The divisional round takes place on January 17th and 18th, with Seattle playing at home against the survivor of the previous match. The field command remains until a possible conference final.

• The team avoids initial wear and tear in the playoffs.
• Lumen Field provides a crowd advantage at home games.
• Potential opponents include matchup winners like Eagles vs. 49ers or Bears vs. Packers.
• The solid campaign positions Seattle to pursue the second Super Bowl in franchise history.

Highlighted numbers from the season

Darnold finished 2025 with a completion rate above 67% in many games and a rating close to 99. Ele threw around 25 touchdowns, balancing efficiency and volume. The defense recorded sacks and forced turnovers at high rates.

The Seahawks led the NFC in points allowed at stretches of the season. The balance between attack and defense sustained the winning streak. Estatísticas finals confirm the 14-3 record as the best in the franchise.

Preparing for the playoffs

The time off allows for recovery from possible injuries and tactical adjustments. Coach Mike Macdonald emphasizes maintaining rhythm and focusing on execution. Darnold expressed confidence in the group for high-pressure competitions.

The team enters the playoffs with positive momentum after dominating divisive rivals. Seattle seeks to advance beyond early rounds, something not consistently achieved in recent years.