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Two weeks ago, the Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC West and earn the No. 1 seed in the conference. Now, the two teams meet again with an NFC championship game spot on the line.

This time, the Seahawks will host the game, with the 49ers traveling up to Seattle looking for a second-straight playoff road win. The last time the 49ers played in Seattle was in Week 1, when San Francisco opened the season with a victory.

The 49ers are coming off a hard-fought wild-card victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, using a stifling defense and timely offense to win 23-19. Christian McCaffrey scored two touchdowns in that game, while San Francisco’s defense had its best performance in over a month.

Now, the 49ers meet the Seahawks, who are arguably the best team in the NFL. Seattle’s defense is playing at a high level, as the unit held the 49ers to just three points in that Week 18 victory, and will be even tougher with the Seattle faithful behind them at home.

For the Seahawks to make a run to the Super Bowl, Sam Darnold will have to be a big reason why. Darnold has only played in one playoff game in his career, a loss to the Los Angeles Rams last year, and will be tasked with protecting the ball and making timely explosive plays.

These two teams have played twice in the playoffs all-time, as they each sport a 1-1 record in those games, with the home team winning each battle.

The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates and highlights as the Seahawks host the 49ers in the Divisional Round. Follow along to see all the action from Lumen Field.

STREAM: Watch 49ers vs. Seahawks LIVE with Fubo (free trial)

49ers vs. Seahawks score

 

NFL PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NFL scores | Full NFL schedule | Updated NFL bracket

49ers vs. Seahawks live updates, highlights from NFL playoff game

(All times Eastern)

Halftime: Seahawks 24, 49ers 6

9:52 p.m.: The 49ers tried to get into field goal range before time expires, but they had to settle for a Hail Mary that fell incomplete.

Seahawks 24, 49ers 6

9:45 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Kenneth Walker walks it in to extend the lead to three scores as the first half winds down.

Kenneth Walker gives the @Seahawks a 24-6 lead!

SFvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UV0Ph5SDtD

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026

9:43 p.m.: On third-and-long, Darnold connects with Jake Bobo, who runs for the first down to get into the red zone.

9:38 p.m.: Shaheed takes an end around for a chunk play into 49ers territory, setting the Seahaws up once again.

9:33 p.m.: Another three-and-out by the Seahawks is wiped out by a 49ers penalty. Zach Charbonnet is down and injured.

Seahawks 17, 49ers 6

9:28 p.m.: The Niners add three more points on another Pineiro field goal.

9:26 p.m.: Ricky Pearsall’s first catch is a big one for 15 yards, but it is overturned and instead ruled incomplete. 49ers now face a fourth down.

9:22 p.m.: This is the best drive if the game so far for the Niners, who are now in Seahawks’ territory.

9:19 p.m.: Starting the drive deep in their own territory,  Purdy and the 49ers are able to work their way to to 30 yard-line on a few plays.

9:14 p.m.: Darnold’s deep pass to Shaheed falls incomplete so the 49ers defense gets the Seattle offense off the field for the first time tonight.

Seahawks 17, 49ers 3

9:09 p.m.: Eddy Pineiro nails the field goal to get San Francisco on the board.

9:08 p.m.: The Seahawks defense is holding firm, forcing Purdy into some incomplete passes. On third down, he finds McCaffrey short of the first, forcing a FG attempt.

9:03 p.m.: Purdy makes some magic and scrambles to find a wide open Tonges across his bodyfor a big first down.

End of first quarter: Seahawks 17, 49ers 0

9:00 p.m.: Christian McCaffrey runs for over ten yards to set up a set of downs. As the first quarter expires, the Niners are now facing another crucial third down.

Seahawks 17, 49ers 0

8:54 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Darnold rolls out and fires a strike to Jaxon Smith-Njigba to extend the lead.

DARNOLD. JSN. THE SEATTLE CONNECTION.

SFvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/B8YRl1HB2q

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026

8:52 p.m.: Now Shaheed draws a pass interference penalty to get Seattle into the red zone.

8:50 p.m.: Matt Mustapha sacks Darnold on the first play of the drive for a big loss, but Darnold makes up for it with a big throw to Kupp for the first down.

8:46 p.m.: FUMBLE! Jake Tonges fumbles on the second play of the drive, giving the ball right back to Seattle.

That Seattle defense came to play.

SFvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/IkPWKs2IEj

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026Seahawks 10, 49ers 0

8:41 p.m.: The 49ers get a big stop on 3rd-and-1 to force a field-goal attempt. Jason Myers nails the 31 yarder for a 10-point lead.

8:38 p.m.: Darnold’s pass to Cooper Kupp ends up a yard short, but A.J. Barner sneaks it for another first down.

8:36 p.m.: Zack Charbonnet’s first run is for 15 yards, and the Seahawks are in field-goal range already.

8:35 p.m.: Darnold’s first completion is a checkdown to the running back for a first down, with Seattle using tempo here.

8:31 p.m.: Christian McCaffrey is tackled in the backfield on 3rd-and-1, but San Francisco goes for it on fourth down. However, San Francisco runs an option trick play that goes nowhere, so the Seahawks take over with good field position.

8:28 p.m.: The Niners start the drive at their own 40, and Brock Purdy finds Jake Tonges for a big first down to settle down the offense.

Seahawks 7, 49ers 0

8:22 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Rasheed Shaheed opens the game with a 95-yard kickoff return as Lumen Field explodes.

RASHID SHAHEED 95-YARD KICKOFF RETURN TO START THE GAME.

SFvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/buR0WrfA6x

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026

8:21 p.m.: We are underway from Seattle! The Seahawks will get the ball first in front of their home crowd.

8:14 p.m.: The Broncos just beat the Bills, so all eyes now turn to this primetime affair.

8:00 p.m.: Due to the Bills-Broncos game going to overtime, this game will start at 8:20 p.m. ET.

Kickoff of the 49ers-Seahawks game has been pushed back to 8:20. Wisely.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2026

7:50 p.m.: Another former Seahawks Super Bowl winner, Doug Baldwin, will raise Seattle’s No. 12 flag ahead of tonight’s joust.

Seahawks announce what had become increasingly rumored over the last day or so —– Doug Baldwin will raise the 12 flag tonight. https://t.co/ZL8tUfXz5y

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) January 18, 2026

7:30 p.m.: Darnold still looking good to compete during warmups. Didn’t look too limited with his ailment. Still looks to have taken all his usual assignments ahead of tonight’s clash.

7:00 p.m.: Plenty of luminaries are expected to flood Lumen Field for tonight’s contest. One who has already touched down? Richard Sherman, who famously turned out for both the Niners and Seahawks during his career.

Richard Sherman at Seahawks-Niners. pic.twitter.com/mrVTlF7a6B

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) January 18, 2026

6:40 p.m.: Here’s a look at the inactives for tonight’s contest. Worth noting that Ricky Pearsall will play tonight.

#49ers inactives:
S Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring)
RB Isaac Guerendo
WR Jordan Watkins
DT Sebastian Valdez
DE Robert Beal
DT Kevin Givens
OT Brandon Parker

— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) January 17, 2026

QB Jalen Milroe will serve as the emergency 3rd quarterback; tonight’s @Seahawks inactives: pic.twitter.com/YP3CLEIKRv

— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) January 17, 2026

6:35 p.m.: Darnold has yet to actually take the field, per the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta. However, he is active, so the expectation appears to be that he’ll play. We’ll see if that comes to fruition.

Sam Darnold is active for Seahawks. Still hasn’t been seen on field but obviously he is expected to play since he’s on the active list: https://t.co/AtPLgVYQEm via @seattletimes

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) January 17, 2026

6:30 p.m.: Sam Darnold is reportedly good to go for tonight’s game, with Drew Lock set to take the reins of the offense in the event he gets knocked out of tonight’s game. Jalen Milroe will serve as the Seahawks’ emergency QB.

MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:

Where to watch 49ers vs. Seahawks49ers vs. Seahawks start timeDate: Saturday, Jan. 17Start time: 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT

The divisional round matchup between the 49ers and Seahawks will kickoff at 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT, on Saturday, Jan. 17 from Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

What channel is 49ers vs. Seahawks on today?TV channel: FoxLive stream: Fubo

Fox will be broadcasting this 49ers-Seahawks game, with Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady on the call. Those looking for an alternate streaming option can use Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

NFL playoff schedule 2026Wild-card round

Saturday, January 10

MatchupTimeTV ChannelRams 34, Panthers 31—-Bears 31, Packers 27  

Sunday, January 11

MatchupTimeTV ChannelBills 27, Jaguars 24—-49ers 23, Eagles 19—-Patriots 16, Chargers 3—-

Monday, January 12

MatchupTimeTV ChannelTexans 30, Steelers 6—-Divisional round

Saturday, January 17

MatchupTime (ET)TV ChannelBills vs. Broncos4:30 p.m.CBS49ers vs. Seahawks8:00 p.m.Fox

Sunday, January 18

MatchupTime (ET)TV ChannelTexans vs. Patriots3:00 p.m.ABC/ESPNRams vs. Bears6:30 p.m.NBCConference championship roundMatchupTime (ET)TV ChannelTBD vs. TBD3:00 p.m.CBSTBD vs. TBD6:30 p.m.FoxSuper BowlMatchupTime (ET)TV ChannelTBD vs. TBD6:30 p.m.NBC