It's certainly an odd thing for the San Francisco 49ers and their fans to do. But rooting for their hated NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks, is a must when they host the division-leading Los Angeles Rams in a vital primetime showdown in Week 16 on Thursday Night Football.
With both teams sitting at 11-3, the winner of the contest will take over the top spot in both the division and the NFC playoff picture.
While the Niners already split the season series with LA, they still have a chance to sweep the same over the Hawks with a key Week 18 showdown at Levi's Stadium to close out the regular season. Should head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad win its final three games, including the finale against Seattle, a Seahawks win over the Rams would open the door to the 49ers earning the top seed in the conference and all its associated benefits into the playoffs.
As San Francisco will look to beat up on its former backup quarterback, Sam Darnold, in that particular showdown, it'll ironically be pulling for him to take full advantage of Los Angeles on Thursday night.
And Darnold might have received a little bit of unexpected help.
Rams' travel plans to Seattle were thrown into a weird twist
It's not the kind of development most fans expect, as teams traveling for road games typically don't encounter too many setbacks.
But the Rams did, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who reported on a notable delay in getting head coach Sean McVay's squad into the air and en route to Seattle:
The Rams’ team flight that was supposed to be leaving any minute now is expected to be significantly delayed due to an equipment issue with the plane, per sources. The team currently is working on alternative travel arrangements to prevent any further delays getting to Seattle. pic.twitter.com/gF0qVUUM3O
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2025
Granted, LA figured out alternatives and was able to travel not too long thereafter. But, given how important routines can be in the overall preparations for any game, especially ones on a short week, it's fair to wonder if the travel hiccup might actually work in Darnold and Co.'s favor.
Even if only to a slight degree.
Los Angeles is fielding an elite-level defense under coordinator Chris Shula, meaning Darnold will need all the help he can get in ensuring his Seahawks pull off a crucial victory. While the 49ers will be watching closely, the in-division showdown is just as important to the Hawks, too, who are also vying for the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the conference.
If a delayed airplane gives only the slightest of advantages, Darnold and the Seahawks will happily take it.