If you’re a member of the Faithful, your blood pressure probably hasn’t returned to normal since Sunday. The San Francisco 49ers just survived a 23-19 heart-stopper against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round, and honestly, it was way closer than it should’ve been. Brock Purdy looked like he was playing through some stuff, the defense was gapped at times, and we all felt that collective gasp when the final whistle blew.
But there’s no time to celebrate.
The sf 49ers news cycle is currently dominated by one thing: a flight back up to the Pacific Northwest. For the third time this season, Kyle Shanahan has to figure out how to crack Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks defense. It’s the divisional round, it’s Lumen Field, and it’s basically the ultimate "put up or shut up" moment for a team that has spent the last month doing things the hard way.
The Brutal Reality of the Kittle and Warner Situations
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. It’s kinda gut-wrenching, but George Kittle is officially on Injured Reserve. Losing the "People's Tight End" right before a playoff run in Seattle is basically every Niners fan's worst nightmare. He’s been dealing with an Achilles issue that finally reached a breaking point, and now the team is promoting Brayden Willis to try and fill a gap that, frankly, nobody can truly fill. Kittle isn't just a pass-catcher; he’s the soul of the run-blocking scheme.
Then there’s Fred Warner.
The 49ers opened his practice window this week, which is a glimmer of hope, but he’s still technically on IR with that ankle injury. Missing Warner in the Wild Card game was glaring. Without him roaming the middle, the Eagles found lanes that usually don't exist against a Robert Saleh defense. If Warner can't go on Saturday night, the Niners are going to have to rely on guys like Dee Winters and Luke Gifford, both of whom have been banged up themselves. It’s a messy situation at linebacker right now, and Kenneth Walker III is probably licking his chops watching the film from Week 18.
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Can Brock Purdy Shake Off the Seattle Hex?
We have to talk about Brock. In the regular-season finale against Seattle—that 13-3 loss that cost the Niners the top seed—Purdy looked human. Actually, he looked worse than human; he looked rattled. The Seahawks' defense held him to just 127 yards passing and zero touchdowns.
But look at what he did against the Eagles. 262 yards, two touchdowns, and he made plays with his legs when the pocket collapsed. He did throw two picks, which usually makes Shanahan’s face turn that specific shade of red we all know, but he won.
The sf 49ers news you won't hear on the national broadcasts is that Purdy’s "stinger" from the Seattle game seems to be a non-issue now. He played the full game in Philly and looked mobile. The real question is the offensive line. Trent Williams is playing through a hamstring injury, and Dominick Puni has been limited with an ankle. If that line can't keep Leonard Williams out of Purdy's lap, it’s going to be a long flight home.
The Robert Saleh Factor
Having Robert Saleh back as the defensive coordinator has been a wild ride this season. Most people thought the defense would fall off a cliff without Nick Bosa (who has also been sidelined), but Saleh has kept this unit in the top ten. However, the Seahawks ran for 180 yards against them on January 3rd. That’s embarrassing.
Saleh’s challenge this weekend is basically a chess match against Sam Darnold—yes, the same Sam Darnold who spent last year backing up Purdy. Darnold knows this system. He knows what Saleh likes to do.
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The 49ers spent about 32 snaps in a single-high safety look during that last loss to Seattle. They were trying to stop the run, but it left them vulnerable. Expect a lot of "kitchen sink" defensive looks this time around. Saleh knows he might only be in SF for one year before getting another head coaching gig, so he’s playing with house money.
Why This Game Feels Different Than Week 18
A lot of people are writing the Niners off because of how bad that 13-3 loss looked. But remember, Ricky Pearsall and Trent Williams didn't play in that game. Having Pearsall back as a vertical threat changes how Seattle has to play the secondary.
Also, Christian McCaffrey only had eight carries in that last meeting. Eight! That’s a coaching failure, and Shanahan knows it. You don't have the best running back in the world and only give him the ball eight times in a game for the division title.
"We'll embrace the shit out of doing it the hard way," Shanahan said after the season finale. He wasn't kidding. Going through Philly and then having to win in Seattle is as "hard way" as it gets in the NFL.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Trent Williams vs. The Seahawks Edge: Even a 75% Trent Williams is better than most tackles, but he needs to be elite to stop the Seattle pass rush.
- Deebo Samuel vs. Riq Woolen: Deebo has been quiet lately. If the 49ers are going to win, they need a "vintage Deebo" game where he's breaking three tackles per play.
- The 49ers Secondary vs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba: JSN has been a problem all year. If Renardo Green can't lock him down, Sam Darnold will just move the chains all night.
What You Should Do Now
If you're following the sf 49ers news to see if this team has a real shot at the Super Bowl, stop looking at the regular season stats. This is a different team in January.
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First, keep a close eye on the Friday injury report specifically for Fred Warner. If he is activated from IR and starts, the 49ers' odds of winning jump significantly because he’s the only one who can truly neutralize Seattle’s tight ends.
Second, watch the weather reports for Seattle. A sloppy, rainy game at Lumen Field usually favors the team that can run the ball and avoid turnovers. If it’s pouring, the pressure shifts entirely to Christian McCaffrey and the interior of the O-line.
Lastly, don't sleep on the special teams. The Niners just hired Brant Boyer as the coordinator this year, and that unit has been much more disciplined. In a game that's likely to be decided by a field goal, a clean performance from Eddy Piñeiro could be the difference between a trip to the NFC Championship and a very bitter offseason.
The Niners are currently 3.5-point underdogs heading into Seattle. In a weird way, that’s exactly where this version of the team wants to be. They’ve spent the whole year being the "injured powerhouse" that everyone expects to fail. Saturday night is their chance to prove that the "hard way" is actually the only way they know how to win.
Monitor the official 49ers roster moves tomorrow afternoon; if Fred Warner isn't elevated by the deadline, prepare for a high-scoring shootout where Purdy will have to out-duel Darnold without his best defensive general on the field.