Look, I get it. You’re staring at your phone, probably with a beer in one hand or a half-eaten wing in the other, desperately trying to figure out when is the 49ers play because the playoff bracket just got weird. It’s Saturday night, January 17, 2026, and if you were hoping for a late-night miracle in Seattle, I’ve got some tough news for you.
The San Francisco 49ers just walked off the field at Lumen Field, and it wasn't pretty.
The Brutal Reality of the January 17 Divisional Game
Honestly, "brutal" might be an understatement. The 49ers just got handed a 41-6 loss by the Seattle Seahawks. Yeah, you read that right. Six points. It was one of those games where everything that could go wrong did. From the very first whistle, when Rashid Shaheed took the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house, the energy just felt sucked out of the Niners' sideline.
If you're looking for the next kickoff time, there isn't one for a while. This loss officially ends the 2025-2026 campaign for San Francisco. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially after the high of beating the Eagles 23-19 in the Wild Card round just last week.
Brock Purdy and the gang are heading back to the Bay to clean out their lockers.
What happened to the offense?
It’s easy to point fingers, but injuries finally caught up to this roster. Losing George Kittle to a torn Achilles during the Philly game was a massive blow that nobody talked about enough. He’s the heart of that blocking scheme. Without him, Purdy was under fire all night. Leonard Williams sacked him for a 14-yard loss that basically killed any momentum they had in the first half.
Then you’ve got Christian McCaffrey. He’s a warrior, but he took a nasty stinger in the second quarter. He tried to come back in the third, but he eventually had to call it. When CMC isn't at 100%, this offense just loses its rhythm.
Looking Ahead: When is the 49ers play in 2026?
Since the postseason run is over, the focus shifts immediately to the 2026 regular season. While the NFL won't drop the exact dates and "must-watch" Monday Night Football slots until mid-May, we already know exactly who they are playing.
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Because the 49ers finished third in the NFC West this year, they’re actually going to have a "third-place schedule." In some ways, that’s a blessing. It means they avoid a few of the absolute juggernauts that a division winner would have to face.
The 2026 Home Slate at Levi’s Stadium
You’ll be heading to Santa Clara for these matchups next fall:
- The usual suspects: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and Arizona Cardinals.
- The big AFC draws: Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins.
- NFC matchups: Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and the Washington Commanders.
That’s nine home games total. There’s a lot of chatter right now that one of these might actually be moved to Mexico City. The NFL loves putting the Niners in international spots because the fan base there is massive.
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The 2026 Road Warriors
The away schedule looks like a gauntlet. They’ve got to travel to:
- Dallas Cowboys: Always a circus, always high stakes.
- Kansas City Chiefs: A Super Bowl rematch vibe every time they meet.
- New York Giants: A trip to MetLife is never fun for the ankles.
- Atlanta Falcons: A sneaky tough road environment.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Basically a home game with how well the Niners fans travel to SoFi.
- And of course, the return trips to Seattle, Arizona, and the Rams.
Why the 2025 Season Felt Different
Let’s be real—this 12-5 season was a rollercoaster. We saw Sam Darnold resurrect his career up in Seattle, which made the rivalry even saltier. The Niners had moments of absolute brilliance, like that 48-27 blowout of the Colts in Week 16, but they also had head-scratchers, like the Week 18 loss to Seattle that cost them a better seed.
The defense, led by Nick Bosa, was stellar for most of the year, but they looked tired tonight. Giving up three rushing touchdowns to Kenneth Walker III isn't typical for a Kyle Shanahan-coached team.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
So, what do you do now that the season is over?
First, mark your calendar for mid-May 2026. That is when the NFL releases the official schedule with times and TV networks. If you’re planning a road trip to see them play the Cowboys or Chiefs, that’s the day you need to book your flights before prices skyrocket.
Second, keep an eye on the NFL Draft in late April. The Niners need to address the offensive line depth. Watching Trent Williams struggle without a solid backup plan this year was painful.
Third, check your ticket apps. If you're a season ticket holder or looking for single-game seats for 2026, the renewal process usually starts kicking into gear in February.
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The season might be over, but the "Faithful" never really stop. It's a long wait until those August preseason games, but hey, at least we don't have to watch another kickoff return touchdown against us for a few months.