If you woke up this morning, January 18, 2026, wondering what time is the niner game today, I’ve got some news that is going to be a tough pill to swallow. You might want to sit down for this one. There is no game.
The San Francisco 49ers’ season ended last night in a way that most fans would probably like to scrub from their memory banks forever. While the NFL Divisional Round is still very much alive today with the Texans taking on the Patriots and the Rams visiting the Bears, the Niners are officially heading back to Santa Clara to start their exit interviews.
It was a blowout. A total, 41-6 dismantling at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Honestly, it was hard to watch if you’re a member of the Faithful.
The Saturday Night Disaster at Lumen Field
Most people looking for the kickoff time today are actually looking for a game that already happened. The NFL schedule-makers put the 49ers and Seahawks in the primetime "nightcap" slot yesterday, Saturday, Jan. 17.
Seattle basically ended this thing before the first beer was even poured at most watch parties. Rashid Shaheed took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown, and it felt like the oxygen just left the 49ers' sideline immediately. Kenneth Walker III was a nightmare on the ground, scoring three touchdowns and making a veteran defense look surprisingly slow.
Brock Purdy had a rough go of it, too. He finished with 140 yards, one pick, and a lost fumble. But in fairness to him, the guy was playing behind a line that was missing key pieces and throwing to a receiving corps that has been decimated by injuries over the last month.
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Why the 49ers Aren't Playing Today
The Divisional Round is split across two days. Since the Niners played in the Saturday night slot, today—Sunday, Jan. 18—is reserved for the other side of the bracket.
If you're still looking for football, here is what the actual Sunday schedule looks like:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock.
It’s a weird feeling for Niner fans. Usually, this team is the one doing the bullying in January. But this year, the No. 6 seed magic ran out. They pulled off a gritty win against the Eagles in the Wild Card round last week (23-19), but going into the "noisy house" in Seattle against a rested No. 1 seed was just a bridge too far.
The Injury Bug Finally Won
We can talk about play-calling all day, but the reality is that San Francisco was basically a walking hospital wing by the time kickoff rolled around yesterday.
Missing Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and George Kittle all at the same time? That’s not a football team; that’s a tragedy. Trent Williams was out there gutting it out on a bad hamstring, but you could tell he wasn't himself. When you’re signing guys off the street or the practice squad to start in a playoff game against the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense, you’re basically playing with one hand tied behind your back.
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Christian McCaffrey also gave everyone a scare with a stinger in the second quarter. He came back for a bit, but they eventually shut him down once the score got out of hand. It was the smart move. There’s no point in risking a career-altering injury when you’re down by 30 in the fourth quarter.
What Happens Now?
Since the answer to what time is the niner game today is "there isn't one," the focus shifts immediately to the 2026 offseason.
The Niners have some serious soul-searching to do. Because they finished where they did, we already know their 2026 opponents. They’ll be facing a "third-place" schedule next year, which might actually be a blessing in disguise for a team that needs to get healthy. They’ll be seeing the AFC West and the NFC East, along with their usual divisional rivals.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
- Late January/February: Final medical evaluations for the big three (Bosa, Warner, Kittle).
- March 2026: NFL Free Agency begins. Expect the Niners to be aggressive with the offensive line.
- April 23-25, 2026: The NFL Draft. They’ll likely be looking for depth at edge rusher and a true successor at tackle.
- May 2026: This is when the actual schedule for the next season drops, with specific times and dates.
If you’re still craving football today, go ahead and flip on the Texans or the Rams. It might hurt to see the Rams still playing, but that’s the reality of the 2025-26 postseason. The Seahawks are moving on to the NFC Championship, and the 49ers are heading to the golf course.
How to Handle the "No Game" Sunday
If you had a party planned or just cleared your afternoon, don't waste the day.
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Check the local Santa Clara news for the end-of-season press conferences. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch usually speak a day or two after a playoff exit. Their tone will tell you a lot about how they view this roster moving forward.
Also, keep an eye on the Super Bowl LX news. Remember, the big game is being held right in the Niners' backyard at Levi’s Stadium this year on February 8. It’s a bit of a sting that they won’t be playing in it, but the city is going to be electric regardless.
Take today to decompress. The 2025 season was a roller coaster. Between the injuries and the late-season surge, the Faithful have been through enough stress for one year.
Next Steps for the Faithful:
Download the official 49ers app to track the "Black Monday" coaching changes across the league. Several of San Francisco's assistants are rumored for head coaching interviews, and seeing who stays or goes will be the first major domino of the 2026 season.