What Time Is Today’s 49ers Game: The Reality Check for San Francisco Fans

What Time Is Today’s 49ers Game: The Reality Check for San Francisco Fans

If you’re waking up on Sunday morning asking what time is today’s 49ers game, I’ve got some tough news. There isn't one. The San Francisco 49ers saw their 2025-26 season come to a screeching, painful halt last night. While the rest of the NFL world is gearing up for a double-header today featuring the Rams, Bears, Texans, and Patriots, the Niners are currently heading back to the Bay Area to start their exit interviews.

It’s brutal. Honestly, after that Wild Card win against the Eagles, it felt like maybe, just maybe, Kyle Shanahan could piece together enough "zombie" starters to make a run. But Seattle had other plans.

The Saturday Night Disaster at Lumen Field

The 49ers didn't just lose; they were dismantled. If you missed the broadcast, the final score was a lopsided 41-6 in favor of the Seattle Seahawks. For those wondering about what time is today’s 49ers game because they thought the Divisional Round was a Sunday-only affair, the NFL's flex scheduling put the NFC West rivalry in the primetime Saturday slot.

Lumen Field was vibrating. Literally. Seismographs around the stadium registered activity when Rashid Shaheed took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. That 97-yard return essentially ended the game before Brock Purdy even touched the ball.

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Why There Is No Game Today

The NFL Divisional Round is split across two days. While the Niners played their heart out (and unfortunately lost) on Saturday, January 17, the rest of the bracket plays out today, Sunday, January 18.

Here is what the schedule actually looks like for today while the 49ers watch from their couches:

  • Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT) on ABC/ESPN.
  • Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 PM ET (3:30 PM PT) on NBC/Peacock.

It’s a bit surreal to see the 49ers out of the mix this early. Usually, January is when this team finds its second gear, but the injury report finally caught up to them.

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What Went Wrong in the Divisional Round?

You can't talk about the lack of a 49ers game today without talking about the "Stinger" heard 'round the world. Christian McCaffrey, the engine of this offense, went down in the second quarter. He tried to gut it out and returned in the third, but he clearly wasn't himself.

Brock Purdy spent the entire night running for his life. Seattle's Mike Macdonald seems to have solved the Shanahan puzzle. They held Purdy to just 140 yards and a 55% completion rate. Without George Kittle in the lineup to act as a safety valve, the offense looked stagnant.

Key Stats from the Final Game

  • Total Yards: Seahawks 422, 49ers 189.
  • Turnovers: San Francisco coughed it up 3 times.
  • Rushing: Kenneth Walker III ran for 116 yards and 3 TDs. The Niners' defense, usually a brick wall, looked tired.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Since you aren't looking for what time is today’s 49ers game to set your DVR, you’re probably looking for hope. The 2025 season was a rollercoaster. A 12-5 record is nothing to sneeze at, especially with the sheer volume of All-Pro talent that spent time on the IR.

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Trent Williams and Kyle Juszczyk are still the gold standard at their positions. The core is there. However, the secondary needs a complete overhaul if they want to keep up with the speed Seattle and Los Angeles are putting on the field.

The next "game" for the 49ers isn't until the 2026 preseason in August. That feels like a lifetime away. Between now and then, John Lynch has some massive decisions to make regarding the cap and a potential extension for Purdy that will change the financial landscape of the entire roster.

Actionable Next Steps for 49ers Fans

Since the Niners are out, your Sunday just opened up. Here is how to handle the rest of the postseason:

  1. Watch the Rams-Bears Game: The winner of this game travels to Seattle next week for the NFC Championship. If you want to scout who might take down the Seahawks, this is the game to watch at 3:30 PM PT.
  2. Check the Injury Updates: Keep an eye on the official 49ers app today. They’ll be releasing final updates on McCaffrey’s stinger and Jake Tonges’ foot injury as the players undergo final imaging.
  3. Draft Prep: It’s officially "Draft Season" in Santa Clara. With a projected pick in the late 20s, start looking at offensive line depth and cornerbacks in the upcoming class.

The season is over, but the work for Super Bowl LX—which, ironically, will be played at Levi's Stadium—starts right now.