If you’re waking up today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, wondering what channel is the 49ers game on, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. The short answer? It isn't.
The San Francisco 49ers played their Divisional Round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks last night, Saturday, January 17. Honestly, it was a rough one for the Faithful. While the schedule had fans glued to Fox at 8 p.m. ET, the actual game turned into a bit of a nightmare at Lumen Field. The Seahawks didn't just win; they dominated with a 41-6 victory that ended San Francisco's season right then and there.
It’s one of those "wish I could hit undo" moments for Brock Purdy and the gang. If you missed it, you were likely looking for the usual Sunday slot, but the NFL slotted this massive NFC West rivalry for the Saturday night primetime window.
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For those who did tune in to Fox, they saw Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady calling a game that got out of hand fast. It started with a 95-yard kickoff return by Seattle's Rashid Shaheed, and the Niners just never recovered.
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The 49ers offense, which had looked so resilient against the Eagles in the Wild Card round just a week prior, couldn't find the end zone once. They were held to two field goals. Two. In a playoff game. It was a staggering defensive masterclass by Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks, who forced three turnovers, including an interception off Purdy by Ernest Jones IV.
Why the Game Wasn't Today
The NFL playoff schedule is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. Usually, we expect two games on Saturday and two on Sunday. Because the 49ers and Seahawks are both West Coast teams, the league loved that late-night Saturday window for the ratings.
- TV Network: Fox / Fox One
- Final Score: Seattle 41, San Francisco 6
- Date Played: Saturday, Jan 17, 2026
- Location: Lumen Field, Seattle
Basically, if you’re searching for the game today, you're going to find the Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots on ABC/ESPN at 3 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears on NBC/Peacock at 6:30 p.m. ET.
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What Channel Is the 49ers Game On Next?
Since the Niners are officially out of the hunt for Super Bowl LX (which is ironically being held at their home, Levi's Stadium, this year), there aren't any more channels to flip to for live 2025-2026 season action.
The focus now shifts to the offseason. You’ll want to keep an eye on NFL Network and NBC Sports Bay Area for the post-mortem analysis. Kyle Shanahan is going to have some tough questions to answer about the lack of offensive production in the biggest game of the year. Christian McCaffrey fought for every yard against the league's top rushing defense, but without Trent Williams at 100%, the line just crumbled.
How to Watch Replays and Highlights
If you're a glutton for punishment or just want to see exactly where the wheels fell off, you can still find the game content:
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- NFL+: They have the full game replays and the "All-22" coaches' film if you want to see the scheme breakdowns.
- YouTube: The NFL’s official channel has the 15-minute highlight packages.
- Fox Sports App: You might still find some of the post-game "The OT" segments featuring Brady’s analysis of the Seahawks' dominance.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
It’s a long wait until September. Usually, the schedule for the next season doesn't drop until May, but we already know the 49ers will be looking to rebuild a defense that looked surprisingly tired in Seattle.
There’s some talk about the secondary needing a major facelift. Also, keep an ear out for news on Brandon Aiyuk and the receiving corps. The chemistry seemed "off" in the damp Seattle air last night. Honestly, it kinda felt like the end of an era for a few veteran pieces on this roster.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there’s no game to watch today, here’s how to stay plugged in:
- Check the Injury Reports: Look for updates on Sam Darnold (who played through an oblique injury for Seattle) and any 49ers players who might be heading for offseason surgeries.
- Clear Your Sunday: Since the Niners aren't playing, use the time to watch the Rams vs. Bears game on NBC. The winner of that game faces the Seahawks in the NFC Championship next Sunday on Fox.
- Offseason Tracking: Set alerts for the NFL Combine in late February. The 49ers will likely be looking for offensive line depth and defensive back help early in the draft.
- Archive Your Gear: It's time to wash the lucky jersey and put it away. It didn't work this time, but there's always next year.
While the answer to what channel is the 49ers game on is "none" for the rest of this postseason, the NFC West is looking like it's going to be a bloodbath for years to come. Seattle has the crown for now, but San Francisco rarely stays down for long.