🚨GAME CHANGER: Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field – You Won’t Believe the New Kickoff Time!

SEATTLE, WA — Saturday, January 17, 2026 — For Steelers fans who love intense rivalries and playoff football drama, the NFC Divisional Round matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers is one game you cannot miss. This isn’t just another regular‑season rematch — this is the playoffs with huge implications: the winner advances to the NFC Championship with a chance to reach Super Bowl 61. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the new kickoff time announcement has only added to the buzz surrounding this marquee showdown at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Kickoff Time Update: What Steelers Fans Need to Know

Originally reported to kick off at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, the NFL officially announced a slight adjustment that adds an extra 15 minutes to the prime‑time slot. The game will now begin at 5:15 p.m. PT on Saturday, January 17, 2026, making this one of the most talked‑about moments of the NFC Divisional Round.

For fans watching from the East Coast or internationally, that translates to a 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, placing the game squarely in prime viewing time and maximizing exposure across the nation. Steelers supporters tuning in — you know this time slot means football drama after dark, just like those late‑season showdowns that define decades of Pittsburgh playoff history.

This time shift may seem small, but in the NFL playoffs every minute counts — especially when it comes to player rest, strategic adjustments, and the anticipation of clutch moments under the lights.

Where to Watch: TV Channel & Broadcast Info

Fans across the country will be able to view this pivotal game on national television:

Television Broadcast:
• FOX will carry live coverage of Seahawks vs 49ers on Saturday night.

Local Broadcast in Seattle:
• FOX 13 Seattle will provide pre‑game coverage beginning at 3:00 p.m. PT, giving fans in the Pacific Northwest extended build‑up and analysis before kickoff.

Radio & Streaming Options:
• Listeners can tune in via Seattle Sports 710 AM, KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM, the Seahawks mobile app, or SiriusXM (channels 226, 225, and 88).
• Play‑by‑play will feature seasoned broadcasters with in‑depth commentary and sideline reports.

For Steelers Nation fans accustomed to NBC or CBS broadcast familiarity, this FOX broadcast presents a chance to experience a different broadcast style, rich with NFC West perspectives and analytical commentary.

Venue & Weather Forecast: Lumen Field Conditions

This playoff clash takes place at Lumen Field, one of the NFL’s most iconic and intimidating stadiums. Known for its deafening noise, it’s where the famed “12th Man” advantage isn’t just a phrase — it’s a force.

Weather Forecast:
Current projections for Seattle weather on January 17 indicate typical early winter conditions with temperatures likely in the 40s °F (about 4–8 °C) range. Clear skies and cool winds near the waterfront are expected, creating an atmosphere that adds to the defensive grit and playoff intensity.

Expect cool, chilly playing conditions that could impact ball handling and special teams — elements Steelers fans know well from cold‑weather games in Pittsburgh. Despite mild precipitation prospects for January, conditions should remain fairly stable with cool air and occasional mist, emblematic of Seattle winters.

Aggressive Rivalry History: Seahawks vs 49ers

This match heats up one of the NFL’s most compelling rivalries. The Seahawks and 49ers meet again just two weeks after completing a split regular‑season series. Seattle dominated in Week 18 with a 13–3 victory, earning home‑field advantage and the No. 1 NFC seed, while San Francisco claimed the earlier win by a narrow 17–13 score.

Over the years, this NFC West rivalry has produced dramatic playoff encounters and unforgettable moments, including the Seahawks’ famous NFC Championship victories and the 49ers’ counter‑runs through the postseason. With a 32–24 all‑time edge in the series and postseason wins split evenly, this matchup promises more historic football drama that appeals to fans from all NFL territories.

Team Storylines & What’s at Stake

For Seattle, this is their first home playoff game with fans in attendance in nearly a decade, a moment many supporters have been waiting their entire lives to experience. The combination of playoff fever and Lumen Field’s electrifying crowd makes Seattle a daunting challenge for any opponent, including a battle‑tested 49ers squad.

The 49ers, seeded sixth, are fresh off a gritty upset win in the Wild Card Round and are eager to silence critics and advance deeper into the NFC bracket. Despite being the lower seed, San Francisco’s veteran coaching and balanced offensive attack present serious threats to Seattle’s postseason aspirations.

This matchup isn’t just a game — it’s potential preview of a future playoff rivalry that could define the NFC for years.

Steelers Nation: Why This Matters to You

Although this game doesn’t involve the Pittsburgh Steelers, for Steelers fans this Seahawks‑49ers game offers valuable insights into the NFC side of the bracket that could determine who the Steelers might meet in the Super Bowl. Watching this game closely is essential for fans tracking possible Pittsburgh championship paths and comparing AFC vs NFC playoff styles.

Steelers fans have always appreciated defensive toughness, clutch quarterback play, and legendary playoff atmospheres, traits shared by both Seattle and San Francisco. Analyzing this matchup will help Steelers supporters anticipate strengths and weaknesses that could influence how their own team’s potential Super Bowl opponent might perform.

Final Thoughts: Previewing an Instant Classic

This NFC Divisional Round showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers on January 17, 2026 is more than just a game — it’s a defining moment in the 2025–26 NFL Playoffs.

With:
• a new kickoff time at 5:15 p.m. PT that places it in tonight’s prime spotlight,
• national FOX broadcast coverage,
• cool Seattle weather and intense atmosphere at Lumen Field,
• and a rivalry steeped in playoff history,

the stage is set for a game that could easily go down to the final play. This matchup is exactly the kind of pressure cooker drama that makes NFL playoff football must‑watch television.

Suit up, Steelers Nation — even if you’re not cheering for either team, this is the kind of game that defines playoff legacies and Super Bowl dreams. Stay tuned as the playoff picture sharpens, and be ready for football that delivers everything fans live for on the biggest stages