🚨 49ERS' PLAYOFF ROAD AHEAD: The San Francisco 49ers are locked in for their next playoff game, and the stakes have never been higher. The upcoming opponent is set, and the clock is ticking down to a showdown that could define the next chapter of this season. Fans are gearing up for a clash that promises everything: tension, talent, and the kind of drama that only playoff football can deliver 👇

The San Francisco 49ers delivered a crucial blow to the NFC playoff race on Sunday by taking down the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, in a thrilling NFC wild-card matchup. With that win, the 49ers earned a hard-fought place in the divisional round and, in doing so, provided the rest of the NFC with an unexpected gift: the Eagles, once a powerhouse in the conference, were knocked out of contention early.

The Eagles, who dominated last season with a 14-3 record, won the NFC East, and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs to claim their second Super Bowl title, have not looked nearly as impressive this year. Despite the team’s consistent playoff presence, they’ve struggled to match the form that led them to the championship the previous season, highlighting a potential decline in their roster’s cohesion and execution.

With the Green Bay Packers, the No. 7 seed, losing to the second-seeded Chicago Bears in the wild-card round, the 49ers quickly learned their fate. The team found out the “who” ahead of time, but it wasn’t until the New England Patriots secured a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the late AFC game on Sunday that the “when” of their next game was revealed.

49ers-Seahawks Playoff Matchup: A Third Battle This Season

The NFC divisional-round matchup will feature a third showdown this season between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, two NFC West rivals who have already met twice in 2025.

The 49ers are coming off a bruising victory over the Eagles, which leaves them with little time to regroup and prepare for the well-rested Seahawks. Seattle enters the game as NFC West champions and the 49ers’ opponent in what promises to be another hard-hitting affair. Unfortunately for San Francisco, the NFL’s schedule makers didn’t do them any favors with the timing of the game.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan, fully aware of his team’s exhaustion following Sunday’s victory, expressed his wish for the game to be scheduled for Sunday to give his banged-up team more recovery time.

“Very strongly,” Shanahan admitted when asked about his preference. “I’d rather have a Sunday game instead of a short week next week. But I’m expecting it to be Saturday. Hopefully, if the NFL is cool and understanding, they’ll make it Sunday.”

However, the league did not accommodate Shanahan’s request, and the 49ers will face the Seahawks on Saturday, with the game set to take place at either 4:30 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. ET.

Here is the full NFL playoff schedule:

Jan. 12: Texans vs. Steelers, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
Jan. 17: Bills vs. Broncos OR 49ers vs. Seahawks, 4:30 p.m. ET, TBA
Jan. 17: Bills vs. Broncos OR 49ers vs. Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. ET, TBA
Jan. 18: Rams vs. Bears OR Steelers/Texans vs. Patriots, 3 p.m. ET, TBA
Jan. 18: Rams vs. Bears OR Steelers/Texans vs. Patriots, 6:30 p.m. ET, TBA
Jan. 25: AFC Championship Game, 3 p.m. ET, CBS
Jan. 25: NFC Championship Game, 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox
Feb. 8: Super Bowl, 6:30 p.m. ET, NBC

49ers Headed into Seahawks Trilogy Shorthanded

The 49ers’ matchup against the Seahawks presents significant challenges beyond just a quick turnaround. San Francisco will be facing a divisional opponent at a time when they are far from full strength, with key injuries mounting after their battle with the Eagles.

One of the most significant blows came when Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle went down with what was later confirmed to be an Achilles injury. Coach Shanahan addressed the injury after the game, revealing that Kittle’s tear would knock him out for the remainder of the postseason.

“The trainers knew before the cart came out and got word to me in the headset. Yes, a torn Achilles,” Shanahan confirmed, underscoring the severity of the injury and its impact on the team’s playoff hopes.

Kittle, a central figure in the 49ers’ offensive scheme, will be sorely missed in the divisional round and beyond. His loss reduces a major offensive weapon for the 49ers, and his leadership in the locker room will also be a void for the team.

In addition to Kittle’s injury, the 49ers continue to deal with the absence of key defensive players from earlier in the season. Star defenders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries earlier in 2025, remain sidelined. While Warner has expressed hope of returning if the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game, his absence in the divisional round presents another obstacle.

The 49ers were also without several other notable players in their wild-card matchup against the Eagles, including first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (2024), leading and second-leading tacklers Dee Winter and Tatum Bethune, linebacker Luke Gifford, wide receiver Jordan Watkins, cornerback Chase Lucas, running back Isaac Gurendo, and defensive tackle Kevin Givens.

With the short week between games, it’s uncertain how many of these players will be available against the Seahawks. The injuries and subsequent roster limitations highlight the significant challenges San Francisco faces as they aim to make a deep playoff run.

The Road Ahead for the 49ers

Despite the injuries and the quick turnaround, the 49ers’ defensive prowess and the playmaking ability of quarterback Trey Lance, along with the presence of an explosive offense led by Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, will give them a fighting chance in the divisional round.

The Seahawks, however, come into this matchup rested and healthy, which could give them a critical advantage, particularly as the 49ers battle injuries and fatigue. Seattle has been a tough opponent for San Francisco throughout the season, and with the stakes higher than ever, the 49ers will need to dig deep and rely on their depth.

As the 49ers brace for their third meeting with Seattle this season, the team’s resilience will be tested. The ability of the players who step into the roles of Kittle, Bosa, and others will determine just how far the 49ers can go this postseason.

While the short week and injuries are significant hurdles, San Francisco has the talent and determination to overcome them. Whether they can make it through the Seahawks and further into the playoffs will be determined by how effectively they can manage these challenges and execute in the high-pressure environment of the postseason.