The building was loud before kickoff, but it wasn’t joy. It was tension. The kind that sits in your chest and doesn’t move until someone breaks first.
Seahawks vs 49ers match player stats will tell you who did what. They won’t tell you how thin the margins felt, or how quickly a season can tilt when Seattle and San Francisco share a field and nothing comes easy.
This rivalry doesn’t do clean. It doesn’t do polite. And on January 4th, 2026, it didn’t do mercy.
What Actually Happened on the Field
Seattle and San Francisco came in knowing exactly who the other was. No mystery. No surprises. Just pressure.
The 49ers leaned into what they trust: Brock Purdy making fast reads, Christian McCaffrey forcing defenses to pick their poison, and a defense that still believes it can dictate terms. Seattle countered with Mike Macdonald’s brand of controlled aggression — disguise, rotate late, hit quarterbacks and see if they blink.
Early on, Purdy didn’t blink.
He finished the night 23-of-32 for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, but that interception mattered. It came late, on a third-down throw he usually completes, baited by a Seahawks secondary that finally timed the rotation right. Devon Witherspoon didn’t just read it — he trusted it.
That moment kept Seattle alive.
Kenneth Walker III was the emotional engine for the Seahawks offense. Not dominant, but relentless. 18 carries, 94 yards, one touchdown, plus three catches that moved chains when the offense stalled. Zach Charbonnet complemented him with 9 carries for 41 yards, the kind of workload that doesn’t jump off the page but keeps Walker from burning out.
At quarterback, Seattle got steadiness, not fireworks. 21-of-30, 218 yards, one touchdown, no turnovers. That mattered more than anything. Against this 49ers defense, mistakes are death. Seattle didn’t give them any.
Jason Myers hit all three of his field goals, including a cold-blooded 48-yarder late. Kickers don’t get headlines unless they fail. Myers didn’t.
For San Francisco, McCaffrey was still McCaffrey: 22 touches, 121 total yards, one score. But the Seahawks forced him to earn every inch. No free releases. No uncontested angles.
Defensively, Leonard Williams was disruptive without padding stats — two pressures that collapsed the pocket and changed drives. That’s veteran work. Quiet. Nasty.
The final score reflected exactly how the game felt: close, strained, and earned.
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For Seattle, this was a referendum on Mike Macdonald.
The scheme is still new. The roster is still adjusting. But this was the first time it looked like the Seahawks didn’t just survive a heavyweight — they dragged one into deep water and made him uncomfortable.
That matters.
For the 49ers, this game exposed something they’ve been flirting with all season: when Purdy has to play on schedule against disciplined coverage, the margin disappears. He’s still good. Still poised. But he’s no longer surprising anyone.
And surprise used to be part of the advantage.
Nick Emmanwori and Malik Mustapha won snaps that rookies usually don’t. Not flashy wins — leverage wins. Angle wins. The kind coaches notice even when fans don’t.
That’s where games like this are decided.
Players Who Felt the Weight
Kenneth Walker III played like a man who knows January football doesn’t care about yards per carry. It cares about forward momentum. He ran through contact, not around it. That’s a message to his locker room.
Brock Purdy felt the squeeze late. The interception wasn’t panic — it was confidence punished. That’s worse. Because it means defenses are inside his tendencies now.
AJ Barner doesn’t light up box scores, but he sealed edges that made Walker’s night possible. Tight ends earn respect in games like this.
Leonard Williams looked like a player who understands exactly when to strike. That’s playoff DNA.
And Witherspoon? He plays this rivalry like it owes him money.
What This Means Going Forward
Seattle isn’t finished. But they’re dangerous now.
This wasn’t a fluke win or a broken-play victory. It was structural. Defensive discipline. Offensive patience. Special teams execution. That’s how playoff teams survive.
The Seahawks standings don’t scream dominance, but momentum isn’t always visible in columns.
For San Francisco, the questions aren’t existential — yet. But they’re real. Can this offense consistently win when timing is disrupted? Can they protect Purdy late without leaning entirely on McCaffrey?
The NFC West doesn’t forgive hesitation.
And neither does January.
The Bigger Picture
Seahawks vs 49ers isn’t about records. It’s about identity.
Seattle is trying to prove it can evolve without losing its edge. San Francisco is trying to prove it can sustain success once everyone knows the script.
Games like this don’t settle those debates. They sharpen them.
And that’s why this rivalry still matters — because nobody walks away unchanged.
FAQs
Who won the Seahawks vs 49ers game today?
Seattle pulled it out in a tight, physical matchup that came down to execution late.
What were Brock Purdy’s stats?
Purdy finished with 271 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one costly interception.
How did Kenneth Walker III perform?
Walker rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown, setting the tone with physical runs.
Did Charbonnet have an impact?
Yes. His limited touches helped keep Seattle balanced and fresh late.
Who was Seattle’s standout on defense?
Devon Witherspoon’s late interception changed the game’s trajectory.
Where was the game played?
At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Is Mike Macdonald changing the Seahawks’ identity?
Slowly, yes. The defense looks more disciplined and intentional.
Are the 49ers still playoff contenders?
Absolutely, but the margin for error is thinner than before.
Did Jason Myers miss any kicks?
No. He was perfect, including a key long field goal.
What’s next for both teams?
Seattle carries momentum forward. San Francisco goes back to the film room with real questions.
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