The 49ers’ shot at claiming the NFC’s top seed slipped right through their fingers Saturday night, as Seattle dominated San Francisco in a frustrating 13-3 defeat that could drastically alter their playoff path.
Despite being thoroughly outplayed for most of the contest, the Niners still had life with just over 10 minutes remaining. Down 13-3 and finally showing signs of offensive rhythm, San Francisco drove to Seattle’s 6-yard line – their deepest penetration of the night.
That’s when disaster struck.
Brock Purdy fired a pass toward Christian McCaffrey in the right flat, but Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe got a piece of it. McCaffrey had to adjust awkwardly, the ball bounced off his hands, and Seattle’s Drake Thomas snatched the deflection – effectively killing San Francisco’s comeback hopes.
“It’s a play that I have to make,” a visibly disappointed McCaffrey said afterward. “Absolutely have to make. I expect nothing less but to make that play. It’s completely on me.”
The 49ers’ offense looked completely out of sync all night, generating just 173 total yards – their lowest regular-season output since Kyle Shanahan became head coach in 2017. Even with their struggles, they somehow remained within striking distance thanks to solid defensive play and a little special teams luck.
Missed opportunities haunted San Francisco throughout. Purdy couldn’t connect with George Kittle on a fourth-down pass that might’ve gone for big yardage with an extra second of protection. Later, Yetur Gross-Matos couldn’t corral a loose ball after a botched Seahawks handoff deep in Seattle territory.
“It just bounced,” Gross-Matos explained about the fumble that Zach Charbonnet eventually recovered. Two plays later, Seattle converted a seemingly impossible third-and-17 with a 19-yard outside run.
The defeat drops the 49ers to 12-5 and dramatically complicates their path to Super Bowl LX – which, ironically, will be played at their home stadium. Rather than enjoying a first-round bye and home-field advantage, they’re now staring at potentially three straight road games.
“We’re ready for it,” Shanahan said. “It would have been nice to have both home games and get a bye, but it is what it is. This team’s been through a lot this year. Now, we’ve got to do it the hard way and embrace the s— out of doing it the hard way.”
The loss of the bye week also means less recovery time for a banged-up roster. Purdy briefly exited late with what Shanahan described as a stinger in his left shoulder, though both coach and quarterback downplayed its severity.
“I feel good,” Purdy insisted. “Just got hit and the left shoulder sort of lit up.”
Linebackers Tatum Bethune (groin) and Dee Winters (ankle) also left the game and need further evaluation. The 49ers hope to get left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) and rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) back for the playoffs after both sat out Saturday’s contest. Shanahan admitted they might’ve played had the game been on Sunday, but felt it was “too risky” on the shorter week.
Now comes the scoreboard watching. San Francisco’s playoff seeding and first-round matchup remain up in the air heading into Sunday’s games.
If the Rams beat Arizona, the 49ers will be the No. 6 seed and travel to either Philadelphia or Chicago. They’d face the Eagles unless the Bears lose to Detroit and Philadelphia (which plans to rest starters) defeats Washington.
Should the Cardinals win or tie against the Rams, San Francisco would secure the No. 5 seed and face the NFC South champion – either Tampa Bay or Carolina. The Niners would play Carolina if Atlanta defeats New Orleans; they’d get Tampa Bay if the Saints win or tie.
When asked about his preferred outcome, Kittle made his rooting interests crystal clear.
“Would I much rather be on a bye and get to play at Levi’s Stadium? Yeah,” Kittle said. “But that’s just not our reality. I hate losing to the Seahawks, but hey, we get to play football next week… Go Cardinals.”
Kittle even joked he’d like to see Arizona safety Budda Baker score three pick-sixes and tight end Trey McBride rack up 200 receiving yards and three touchdowns to help the Cardinals secure a win.