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 Williams 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 Trent 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.
WATCH: Why Trent Williams is the 49ers' Postseason X-Factor
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: The CMC & Purdy Drop-off
In Week 18, with Trent Williams sidelined, the Seahawks bullied the line of scrimmage. The statistical decline for the 49ers' stars was "Extreme."
| Metric | Week 1 (With Trent) | Week 18 (No Trent) |
|---|---|---|
| CMC Rush Yards | 69 Yards | 23 Yards |
| Purdy Pass Yards | 277 Yards | 127 Yards |
| Sacks Allowed | 1 | 3 |
Divisional Round "Extreme Impact" Inactives
| Player | Unit | Impact Level | Postseason Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Bosa | Defense | EXTREME | OUT (ACL) |
| George Kittle | Offense | HIGH | OUT (Achilles) |
| Fred Warner | Defense | HIGH | OUT (Ankle) |
LABELS
Purdy, McCaffrey, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, Warner, Kittle, Shanahan, Macdonald, 49ers, seahawks, Philadelphia, Seattle, divisional, highlight, injury, playoffs
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