If you're frantically checking your phone to see who are the 49ers playing tonight, I have some news that might sting a little. You probably expected to see a kickoff time for this Sunday, January 18, 2026. Maybe you were planning the wings, the drinks, and the usual ritual.
But the 49ers aren't playing tonight. They aren't playing next week either.
The reality is that San Francisco's season ended abruptly last night in a game that most Niners fans will want to scrub from their memory banks as soon as humanly possible. While the NFL Divisional Round continues today with a double-header—the Houston Texans visiting the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Chicago Bears—the San Francisco 49ers are currently heading back to the Bay Area to start their offseason early.
What Happened to the 49ers Last Night?
It was supposed to be a classic NFC West showdown. The 49ers traveled to Lumen Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks in a Saturday night primetime slot. Honestly? It was a disaster from the first whistle.
Before most fans even had their snacks ready, Seattle's Rashid Shaheed took the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house. That opening touchdown set a tone that the 49ers never recovered from. The final score was a brutal 41-6 in favor of the Seahawks. It wasn't just a loss; it was a total systematic collapse in all three phases of the game.
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- The Offense: Brock Purdy struggled under relentless pressure. He was sacked multiple times, including a devastating strip-sack by DeMarcus Lawrence.
- The Injuries: Christian McCaffrey gave everyone a scare with a stinger in the second quarter. He tried to grit it out and returned in the third, but he eventually had to exit for good.
- The Defense: A unit that usually prides itself on being "The Gold Standard" simply couldn't stop Kenneth Walker III, who tied a franchise record with three rushing touchdowns.
The Seahawks, led by a surprisingly efficient Sam Darnold (who was playing through an oblique injury), basically did whatever they wanted. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Lumen Field was a party, and the 49ers were just looking for the exit.
Why Today's NFL Schedule Doesn't Include San Francisco
If you are seeing "49ers" trending today, it’s mostly because of the post-game autopsies. People are questioning the play-calling, the offensive line's inability to protect Purdy, and how a 12-5 team could look so outmatched in a playoff environment.
Instead of the Niners, here is what the NFL Divisional Round actually looks like for the rest of today, Sunday, January 18:
1. Houston Texans at New England Patriots
This is the early afternoon game (3:00 PM ET). It’s a fascinating matchup of two teams that have exceeded every expectation this year. New England’s defense has been a brick wall lately, but C.J. Stroud and the Texans' high-flying offense are a different kind of beast.
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2. Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
This is the "nightcap" (6:30 PM ET). Since the 49ers are out, this game is actually more important for Niners fans to watch than you might think. Why? Because the winner of this game travels to Seattle next weekend for the NFC Championship. If you're looking for a team to root for simply out of spite against the Seahawks, this is where you pick your horse.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Offseason Reality
So, since the answer to who are the 49ers playing tonight is "nobody," what's next?
The 49ers' locker room is officially in "clean-out" mode. This is the part of the season that hurts the most because the expectations in Santa Clara are always Super Bowl or bust. Falling two wins short of a home-field Super Bowl (Super Bowl LX is being held at Levi’s Stadium this year) makes this pill particularly bitter to swallow.
The team has a few massive questions to answer before the 2026 season officially kicks off in September:
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- The Health of CMC: McCaffrey is the engine of this offense. Seeing him exit the playoff game twice with injuries is a major red flag for his long-term workload.
- The Trench War: The offensive line was exposed in Seattle. Expect the front office to prioritize tackle and guard depth in the upcoming draft.
- The Coaching Carousel: With the Giants hiring John Harbaugh and other vacancies opening up, will Kyle Shanahan lose any key coordinators this cycle?
It’s going to be a long winter in the Bay Area. While the rest of the league fights for a trophy that will be hoisted in the 49ers' own backyard on February 8, the Niners will be watching from the couch just like the rest of us.
Actionable Steps for the "Faithful" Today
Since you don't have a game to watch tonight, here’s how to pivot your Sunday:
- Tune into Rams vs. Bears: Scout the competition for next year and see who might actually have the tools to take down Seattle in the NFC Championship.
- Check the Injury Reports: Keep an eye on the official 49ers social media or beat writers like Matt Maiocco for the final word on McCaffrey's stinger and Jake Tonges' foot injury.
- Review the 2026 Opponents: The NFL has already finalized the list of who the 49ers will face next season. You can start looking at those road trips to Dallas and Kansas City now.
The season is over, but the work for Super Bowl LXVII begins tomorrow.