If you’re frantically refreshing your feed asking what's the score of the 49er game, you likely caught the tail end of a heart-stopper. The San Francisco 49ers just walked out of Philadelphia with a gritty 23-19 victory over the Eagles. It wasn’t pretty. Honestly, for about two quarters, it looked like the Niners were headed for a long flight home and an even longer offseason. But Kyle Shanahan found a way, and Brock Purdy—despite some shaky moments—proved yet again that he has that "it" factor when the clock is ticking down.
Breaking Down the 49ers vs. Eagles Wild Card Score
The final scoreboard reads 23-19, but that doesn't tell the whole story of how we got there. The 49ers started hot with a 7-0 lead thanks to a Demarcus Robinson touchdown, but then the wheels kinda fell off for a bit. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles clawed back, leading 13-10 at the half and eventually 16-10 after some stagnant offensive drives from San Francisco.
Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles' All-Pro corner, was a nightmare for Purdy. He picked him off twice. Two times! Usually, when you give the ball away like that in the postseason, you're toast. But the Niners' defense held firm, limiting those turnovers to just three measly points. That was the game right there.
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The Play That Changed Everything
We have to talk about the trick play. Early in the fourth quarter, Jauan Jennings—the man who seems to live for big moments—took a pitch and didn't run. He looked upfield and found Christian McCaffrey for a 29-yard touchdown pass. Yeah, you read that right. A wide receiver throwing to a running back in the playoffs. It was the spark they desperately needed to reclaim a 17-16 lead.
The Cost of Victory: The George Kittle Injury
It's not all celebrations in the Bay Area right now. The biggest question mark following the what's the score of the 49er game search isn't the points—it's George Kittle. The star tight end was carted off in the first half with what has been confirmed as a torn Achilles.
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Losing Kittle is massive. He’s not just a pass-catcher; he’s basically a third tackle in the run game. Without him, the Niners' offense looked noticeably clunky until the late-game heroics. Dealing with a season-ending injury to a locker room leader during a playoff run is a gut punch. You can see it in how the team reacted post-game; they're happy to advance, but they’re hurting for their guy.
Looking Ahead: The Divisional Round at Seattle
So, now that we know the score, what happens next? The 49ers are heading to Seattle.
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This is going to be a battle. The Seahawks are the top seed for a reason. They have a first-round bye's worth of rest, and they already beat the 49ers 13-3 in the regular-season finale just a few weeks ago. The 49ers (13-5) and the Seahawks (14-3) are divisional rivals who know each other's laundry.
Key Matchups for the Next Round:
- Brock Purdy vs. Mike Macdonald’s Defense: Purdy has historically struggled against Macdonald’s schemes, dating back to when Macdonald was in Baltimore. He’ll need to be much more careful with the ball than he was in Philly.
- Christian McCaffrey vs. Seattle’s Front Seven: CMC had over 100 scrimmage yards against the Eagles. He’ll have to carry an even heavier load with Kittle out.
- Secondary vs. Sam Darnold: Wait, Sam Darnold? Yep, he’s been revitalized in Seattle. The 49ers' secondary, which is ranked 25th in pass defense, has a huge task ahead of them.
Actionable Insights for 49ers Fans
If you're following the playoff run, here is how you should prepare for the Divisional Round matchup on Saturday night:
- Check the Injury Report on Trent Williams: While Kittle is out, there’s hope that All-Pro tackle Trent Williams might be healthier for the Seattle game. His presence is non-negotiable for protecting Purdy’s blind side.
- Watch the Saturday Night Kickoff: The game is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Keep an Eye on the Spread: Early odds have the Seahawks as 7.5-point favorites. The 49ers have been great against the spread (12-6), so don't count them out as underdogs.
- Monitor the Tight End Rotation: Look for Eric Saubert or potentially more 12-personnel looks involving extra blockers to compensate for the Kittle loss.
The 49ers found a way to survive the "Linc," which is one of the toughest places to play in January. Now, they have to go to Lumen Field—arguably the loudest stadium in the NFL. They’ve split the season series with the Seahawks so far, winning 17-13 in the opener but losing that ugly 13-3 game recently. It's anyone's game, but one thing is for sure: the 49ers' "never say die" attitude is very much alive.