NFC Divisional Playoffs: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | Time: 5:15 PM PST
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA | TV: FOX
Series History: 1-1 in 2025. 49ers won Week 1 (17-13); Seahawks won Week 18 (13-3).
The Hall-of-Fame Boost: Trent Returns to Protect the Season
The 13-3 loss in Week 18 was a jarring reminder of how much this team relies on its pillars. Without Trent Williams at LT and Nick Bosa on the edge, the 49ers looked unrecognizable. While Bosa remains out, the return of the future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer Williams changes the entire geometry of Kyle Shanahan's offense. With Trent back, Brock Purdy finally has the "blindside security" needed to challenge Mike Macdonald’s #1 defense.
Lineup Attrition: Why Week 18 Felt Different
The 49ers' offensive output dropped by 82% between Week 1 and Week 18. The reason? The "Big Three" absences: Williams, Bosa, and Kittle.
San Francisco 49ers Starters Comparison
| Position | Week 1 (Win) | Week 18 (Loss) | Divisional Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT | Trent Williams | Brandon Parker | Trent Williams |
| QB | Brock Purdy | Brock Purdy | Brock Purdy |
| TE | George Kittle | George Kittle | Jake Tonges |
| RDE | Nick Bosa | Mykel Williams | Mykel Williams |
| LB | Fred Warner | Tatum Bethune | Tatum Bethune |
The Impact of #71
In Week 18, the 49ers averaged a miserable 2.8 yards per carry to the left side. When Trent Williams is active, that number jumps to nearly 5.1 yards. His presence allows Shanahan to run the outside zone that defines the 49ers' identity, forcing Seattle's pass rushers to respect the run rather than pinning their ears back to hunt Purdy.
Divisional Round "Extreme Impact" Inactives
The 49ers are 12-5 despite facing more "Blue-Chip" injuries than any other playoff team. Here is who is missing on Saturday:
| Player | Unit | Impact Level | Postseason Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Bosa | Defense | EXTREME | OUT (ACL) |
| George Kittle | Offense | HIGH | OUT (Achilles) |
| Fred Warner | Defense | HIGH | OUT (Ankle) |
| Ji'Ayir Brown | Defense | MODERATE | OUT (Hamstring) |
LABELS
Purdy, McCaffrey, Williams, Bosa, Warner, Kittle, Shanahan, Macdonald, 49ers, seahawks, Seattle, divisional, highlight, injury, playoffs
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