49ers Defense vs Seahawks Offense — Divisional Round (Jan. 17, 2026)
The 49ers’ defense, decimated by injuries to cornerstone stars, finally broke under the weight of Seattle's clinical offensive execution and Kenneth Walker III's historic three-touchdown performance.
🗓️ Regular Season Context
The 49ers and Seahawks entered this Divisional Round rubber match after splitting their regular-season series (SF won Week 6, SEA won Week 11). However, the unit that took the field in Seattle was far from the one that dominated early in the year.
🏥 Injury Section: Missing Impact
The 49ers defense was significantly hindered by the absence of key starters who were present in previous 2025-26 matchups:
- Nick Bosa (DE): His absence removed the primary engine of the pass rush.
- Fred Warner (LB): The heartbeat of the defense was missed in pre-snap adjustments.
- Ji'Ayir Brown (S): Missing since late December, his range over the top was sorely missed.
⚔️ Starting Lineups
| 49ers Defense (Starters) | Seahawks Offense (Starters) |
|---|---|
| Sam Okuayinonu (DE) | Charles Cross (LT) |
| Alfred Collins (DT) | Grey Zabel (LG) |
| CJ West (DT) | Connor Williams (C) |
| Keion White (DE) | Anthony Bradford (RG) |
| Dee Winters (LB) | Abraham Lucas (RT) |
| Eric Kendricks (LB) | Elijah Arroyo (TE) |
| Garret Wallow (LB) | Cooper Kupp (WR) |
| Deommodore Lenoir (CB) | Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR) |
| Renardo Green (CB) | Rashid Shaheed (WR) |
| Malik Mustapha (FS) | Sam Darnold (QB) |
| Jason Pinnock (SS) | Kenneth Walker III (RB) |
🔦 Spotlight Breakdowns — 49ers Defense vs Seahawks Offense
📊 49ers Defensive Snap Counts & PFF Grades
| Player | Pos | PFF Grade | Snaps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deommodore Lenoir | CB | 78.4 | 53 |
| Upton Stout | CB | 64.0 | 18 |
| Keion White | DE | 61.7 | 25 |
| Clelin Ferrell | DE | 60.4 | 23 |
| Eric Kendricks | LB | 60.1 | 36 |
| Dee Winters | LB | 60.0 | 29 |
| Yetur Gross-Matos | DE | 58.4 | 29 |
| Garret Wallow | LB | 42.6 | 33 |
| CJ West | DT | 29.9 | 26 |
| Marques Sigle | FS | 27.9 | 53 |
| Alfred Collins | DT | 26.5 | 27 |
🛡️ Deommodore Lenoir — CB
Lenoir was the lone bright spot. He recorded three defensive stops and held Cooper Kupp to minimal yardage when matched up directly. He played like a man who wants that extension.
⚡ Keion White — DE
White produced two QB hits early but faded as the Seahawks offensive line began to dictate the tempo in the second half.
🧠 Eric Kendricks — LB
The veteran was a tackling machine (11 total) but struggled in coverage against Seattle's tight ends in the red zone.
🧱 Upton Stout — CB
Played limited but effective snaps in the nickel. Showed good diagnostic skills on bubble screens.
🦾 Clelin Ferrell — DE
Ferrell was solid in run containment on the edge but offered little in the way of pass-rush win rate.
🏃 Dee Winters — LB
Winters showed elite speed but was occasionally caught out of position on Walker’s cutback lanes.
📉 Yetur Gross-Matos — DE
Struggled to generate push against Charles Cross, finishing the night with zero pressures.
📉 Garret Wallow — LB
Filled in for Warner but lacked the range needed to cover the seam, resulting in a low coverage grade.
📉 CJ West — DT
Was bullied at the point of attack by Connor Williams, leading to massive interior rushing lanes.
📉 Marques Sigle — FS
A rough outing for the backup safety, including two missed tackles that led to explosive plays.
📉 Alfred Collins — DT
Struggled with pad level and was moved off the line consistently in short-yardage situations.
📊 Seahawks Offensive Snap Counts & PFF Grades
| Player | Pos | PFF Grade | Snaps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenneth Walker III | RB | 90.6 | 33 |
| Abraham Lucas | RT | 88.7 | 53 |
| Cooper Kupp | WR | 88.5 | 39 |
| Grey Zabel | LG | 85.0 | 53 |
| Sam Darnold | QB | 73.5 | 51 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR | — | 45 |
| Rashid Shaheed | WR | — | 35 |
| Charles Cross | LT | — | 30 |
| Elijah Arroyo | TE | — | 28 |
| Zach Charbonnet | RB | — | 12 |
🦅 Seahawks Individual Breakdowns
🚜 Kenneth Walker III — RB
Absolute dominance. Walker finished with 116 yards and 3 TDs, breaking 7 tackles in the process.
🛡️ Abraham Lucas — RT
A brick wall. Surrendered zero pressures and paved the way for Walker's scores on the right side.
🎯 Cooper Kupp — WR
Systematically dismantled the Niners' zone, finding the soft spots on every third-down conversion.
🧱 Grey Zabel — LG
Zabel played an elite game in the run game, finishing with an 87.0 run-blocking grade.
🧠 Sam Darnold — QB
Played a clean, efficient game. Used his legs when needed and took exactly what the defense gave him.
🏃 Jaxon Smith-Njigba — WR
Served as the perfect vertical complement to Kupp, stretching the depleted SF safety group.
🚀 Rashid Shaheed — WR
Shaheed's speed was a constant factor, even if his target share was lower than usual.
🛡️ Charles Cross — LT
Returned from injury and looked in mid-season form, neutralizing the SF edge rushers.
🏈 Elijah Arroyo — TE
Did the dirty work in the run game and hauled in a crucial red-zone target.
🔨 Zach Charbonnet — RB
The perfect closer. His fresh legs in the 4th quarter put the final nail in the coffin.
🧪 SUMMARY: The Trench Disaster
While the final score is jarring, the story was written by the Seahawks Offensive Line vs. 49ers Defensive Line. Seattle's front dominated from the opening whistle, allowing Kenneth Walker III to run without contact for the first 3 yards on average. This matchup directly contributed to the lopsided score, as the Niners' offense was forced into one-dimensional play to keep up.
⭐ Stars Above Stars
Kenneth Walker III (SEA) & Deommodore Lenoir (SF)
Walker was the hammer, but Lenoir was the only shield that didn't shatter. These two were the highest-performing individuals in their respective units.
🔗 Related Recaps
- Heartbreak in Seattle: Why the 49ers' Magical Playoff Run Collapsed at Lumen Field
- 49ers Offense vs Seahawks Defense — Divisional Round (Jan. 17, 2026)
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