If you woke up this morning, grabbed your coffee, and started Googling what time is sf 49ers game today, I have some news that might sting a little. Honestly, it’s the kind of news nobody wants to hear during a playoff run.
The San Francisco 49ers aren't playing today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
They actually played their Divisional Round game yesterday. It was a Saturday night primetime showdown at Lumen Field against the Seattle Seahawks, and if you missed it, you might want to sit down before checking the highlights. The 49ers' season ended last night in a 41-6 blowout loss to Seattle.
The Saturday Night Disaster at Lumen Field
Most fans are used to the 49ers owning the "NFC West" rivalry lately, but yesterday was a different story entirely. Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III went absolutely nuclear. He tied a franchise record with three rushing touchdowns.
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The 12s were so loud they actually registered on seismographs around the stadium. Seriously.
The game kicked off at 5:00 PM PST (8:00 PM ET) on Saturday, January 17. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the game was basically a formality. San Francisco just couldn't find an answer for Mike Macdonald’s defense, and the offense struggled to move the chains in the rain.
Who Is Playing Today?
Since you were looking for what time is sf 49ers game today, you're probably still in the mood for some high-stakes football. Even though the Niners are out, the Divisional Round continues today with two massive matchups that determine the rest of the bracket.
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Here is the schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Kickoff: 12:00 PM PST / 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN / ABC
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Kickoff: 3:30 PM PST / 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
The Rams-Bears game is particularly interesting for 49ers fans because it determines who Seattle will face in the NFC Championship next week. If the Rams win, it sets up an all-NFC West title game. If Caleb Williams and the Bears hold serve at home, the road to the Super Bowl goes through Soldier Field.
Why You Might Have Been Confused
NFL playoff scheduling is kinda chaotic. The league splits the Divisional Round across Saturday and Sunday to maximize TV ratings. This year, the 49ers got the Saturday "nightcap" slot.
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Usually, the No. 1 seeds (like Seattle) get to choose or are assigned the preferred Saturday slots to give them an extra day of rest before the Conference Championship. Since San Francisco had to travel to Seattle after beating Philadelphia in the Wild Card round last week, they had a short turnaround. It showed. They looked tired.
What’s Next for the 49ers?
Now that the quest for a sixth ring is on ice for another year, the focus shifts to a massive offseason. The 49ers' 2026 schedule is already mostly set, even if the specific dates won't be out until May.
We know they’ll be playing a heavy rotation against the AFC West next year. That means games against Kansas City and the Chargers are on the horizon. Plus, they’ll have the usual home-and-home battles with the Seahawks, Rams, and Cardinals.
If you're still looking for what time is sf 49ers game today because you had tickets for a watch party, don't cancel it yet. There’s still plenty of drama left in these playoffs. The road to Super Bowl LX—which, by the way, is being played at Levi’s Stadium this year—is still wide open for the remaining four teams.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the 2026 Draft Order: Since the Niners were eliminated in the Divisional Round, they’ll likely pick somewhere in the 25-28 range.
- Tune into the Rams-Bears: Watch the 6:30 PM ET kickoff on NBC to see who might represent the NFC in the Super Bowl at the Niners' home stadium.
- Update Your Calendar: The NFL usually releases the full 2026 regular-season schedule in mid-May.