So, you're looking for the Niners. I get it. The red and gold usually dominate the Sunday conversation this time of year, especially with the way the NFC playoffs have been shaking out lately. But if you’ve been flipping through the channels trying to figure out what channel is the 49ers game today, I’ve got some news that might sting a little.
The San Francisco 49ers aren't on TV today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Honestly, it’s a weird feeling. For a team that’s been a perennial January powerhouse, seeing them absent from the Sunday Divisional Round slate is a bit of a shock to the system. They actually played their game yesterday, Saturday, January 17. If you missed it, you might want to look away now because the outcome at Lumen Field against the Seattle Seahawks was... well, it was brutal.
What Happened to the 49ers Game?
The Niners headed up to Seattle as the No. 6 seed to face the top-seeded Seahawks in a Saturday night primetime slot on FOX. While fans were hoping for a repeat of their Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles, the magic ran out. Seattle absolutely dominated.
The final score was a lopsided 41-6.
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Kenneth Walker III and the Seattle rushing attack essentially lived in the 49ers' backfield. San Francisco’s defense, which has been the team's backbone for years, just couldn't find an answer for Mike Macdonald’s offensive scheme. Because that game took place yesterday, the 49ers' season is officially over.
Who Is Playing Today Instead?
Since you're likely a football fan if you're asking about the channel, there is still plenty of action to catch today. The NFL Divisional Round continues with two massive matchups that will determine who moves on to the Conference Championships next Sunday.
Today’s schedule:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: This game is airing right now (or just finished, depending on your timezone) on ESPN and ABC.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: This is the nightcap. You can catch this one at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT).
If you’re looking for the channel for that Rams/Bears game, it’s on NBC. If you’ve ditched cable, you can stream it live on Peacock.
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Where Can You Watch 49ers Highlights?
Just because they aren't playing today doesn't mean the coverage has stopped. In the Bay Area, local sports networks are basically in "autopsy mode," trying to figure out what went wrong in Seattle.
You can find post-game analysis and season wrap-ups on NBC Sports Bay Area. They usually run their 49ers Postgame Live and 49ers Press Conference segments multiple times the day after a game.
If you want to see the actual plays—though I don't know why a Niners fan would want to relive a 41-6 loss—the NFL App and NFL+ have the full condensed replays. For international fans, DAZN (via NFL Game Pass International) is still the go-to for catching up on everything that happened during the Saturday games.
How to Stay Updated for the 2026 Season
It feels early to talk about "next year" when the Super Bowl hasn't even happened yet, but the 49ers' 2026 opponents are already set. While we don't have the specific dates—those don't come out until the schedule release in May—we know they'll be facing a tough NFC West again, plus matchups against the AFC North and NFC North.
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Basically, the best way to keep track of the team during the offseason is through the official 49ers App. It’s usually pretty reliable for draft news and roster moves, which, given the way this season ended, might be pretty significant this spring.
Actionable Next Steps for 49ers Fans
Even though the Niners are out, the playoffs are still moving fast. Here is how you can spend your football Sunday:
- Switch to NBC/Peacock at 6:30 p.m. ET to watch the Rams and Bears. Since they are NFC rivals, the winner of this game will be someone the Niners have to deal with next season.
- Check the 49ers' official YouTube channel for the "Numbers of Note" video. It breaks down the stats from the Seahawks loss, including how the rushing defense struggled.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 NFL Draft order. With the loss, San Francisco's draft position is now locked in. Look for mock drafts focusing on offensive line depth and secondary help, as those were the glaring issues in the Divisional Round.
- Watch the NFC Championship next Sunday, January 25, on FOX. Even without San Francisco, it’ll determine who represents the conference in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium—the Niners' own home turf.
The season didn't end the way the Faithful wanted, but the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara continues without them.