Defensive Duel: Niners Fall to Seahawks in Regular Season Finale
The San Francisco 49ers concluded the 2025 regular season with a 13–3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in a gritty, defensive battle at Levi's Stadium. While the offense struggled to find the end zone, Christian McCaffrey etched his name into the record books once again, securing his 100th reception of the season.
Week 18 — January 3, 2026
Santa Clara, CA • Levi's Stadium
Final Score: Seattle Seahawks 13, San Francisco 49ers 3
Attendance: 71,500
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| 49ers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
|
| History Made: Christian McCaffrey became the first running back in NFL history to record three seasons with 100 or more receptions. |
Game Summary
The highly anticipated showdown for the NFC West title turned into a defensive masterclass by Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks. Seattle took an early lead on a Zach Charbonnet touchdown run and never looked back. Brock Purdy and the offense were held to just 173 total yards, their lowest total of the season. The brightest spot of the evening came when Christian McCaffrey hauled in his 100th catch of the year, a feat no other NFL running back has ever accomplished three times. Despite the lack of scoring, the 49ers defense kept the game close, with Tatum Bethune and Sam Okuayinonu both recording sacks of Sam Darnold.
Key Player Performances
- Christian McCaffrey: 8 carries, 23 yards; 6 catches, 34 yards — Reached 2,126 scrimmage yards for the season
- Brock Purdy: 15/26, 152 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT — Struggled against Seattle’s top-ranked scoring defense
- George Kittle: 5 catches, 29 yards — Surpassed Terrell Owens for the second-most receptions in franchise history
- Tatum Bethune: 7 tackles, 1.0 sack — Recorded the first sack of his NFL career
- Eddy Piñeiro: 1/1 FG (48 yards) — Accounted for the only 49ers points of the night
Turnover Battle
In a low-scoring affair, a single mistake proved costly for the San Francisco momentum.
- Interception: Brock Purdy was intercepted in the fourth quarter by Drake Thomas, ending a promising drive into Seattle territory.
- Defensive Pressure: The Niners defense forced four punts and kept the game within reach until the final minutes.
Looking Ahead & Injury Update
The 49ers season continues as they prepare for a Wild Card road trip.
- Playoff Matchup: San Francisco will travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round.
- Trent Williams: The All-Pro tackle missed Week 18 but is expected to return for the postseason.
- History Awaits: At 12-5, the Niners remain one of the most dangerous road teams in the playoff field.
LABELS
Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Kittle, Bethune, Okuayinonu, 49ers, seahawks, Santa Clara, week18, highlight, recap, loss, nfc west, home game, playoffs
🔴 On to the Playoffs!
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