The San Francisco 49ers suffered a disappointing 13-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on January 4, 2026, a defeat that ended their hopes of securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The team’s postgame reflections revealed a mix of frustration and determination, revealing a strong resolve to bounce back in future contests.
McCaffrey Takes Responsibility
A pivotal moment in the match occurred early in the fourth quarter when a promising drive by the 49ers was halted by an interception from Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas. The interception took place at the Seahawks’ 3-yard line after the 49ers had advanced 64 yards in just seven plays. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw a pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage, bouncing off the hands of running back Christian McCaffrey before landing in Thomas’s grasp.
Despite the altered trajectory of the ball, McCaffrey did not shy away from accountability. “It’s a play that I have to make, absolutely have to make,” he stated. “I expect nothing less but to make that play, and it’s completely on me.” Purdy echoed McCaffrey’s sentiments, suggesting that he should have avoided the tipped pass. “It just didn’t go our way; the other guy was right there to catch it,” he commented.
Thomas, reflecting on his interception, noted, “I saw the ball was kind of on his back shoulder and popped up. It’s a tough catch, but God is good, and I came down with it.”
Lenoir’s Confidence Tested
The rivalry between the 49ers and Seahawks was evident in the pregame banter, particularly from cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. He had expressed his eagerness to take on Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL in receiving yards. “I hope he’s ready… Man-to-man coverage, me and him. That’s what I want,” Lenoir stated earlier in the week.
After the game, Smith-Njigba responded with subtle bravado, acknowledging that he anticipated the challenge posed by Lenoir and delivered a solid performance with six catches for 84 yards. This brought his season totals to 119 catches for 1,793 yards and ten touchdowns, positioning him to finish as the league’s leading receiver.
Purdy’s Performance Under Scrutiny
Entering the contest, Purdy was riding high, having led the 49ers to a six-game winning streak and showcasing impressive performances. However, he struggled against a formidable Seahawks defense, completing 19 of 27 passes for only 127 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
Postgame, Purdy acknowledged the challenges presented by Seattle’s defense and emphasized the need for improvement on third downs, where the 49ers converted just two of nine attempts. “I just feel like third downs were definitely an area that I have to be better,” he remarked.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan offered support for Purdy, stating, “I thought Brock battled out there. None of us played good enough to win, but I’m not disappointed at all in Brock. He battled like he always does and did some good things.”
Seahawks Celebrate at Levi’s Stadium
The Seahawks’ victory allowed them to clinch the NFC West title and secure home field advantage, leading to celebrations in front of a rival crowd. Tight end George Kittle commented on the Seahawks’ jubilant postgame atmosphere, noting that such celebrations are part of the game. “If the shoe was on the other foot and we had won in Seattle, I would probably have been the most visible player to celebrate,” he said, acknowledging the competitive spirit inherent in such matchups.
As the 49ers regroup for their next challenge, the focus will remain on channeling the frustration from this loss into motivation for future games. The team aims to build on their strengths while addressing the areas that fell short against Seattle.
