The San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks are getting ready for one of the biggest games of the NFL season. These two teams are old rivals from the NFC West, and every time they play, fans expect a close and hard fought game. In this article, we will look at the key players from both teams, their recent stats, and what history tells us about this matchup. We will also answer some common questions fans are asking about this game.
Quick Game Facts
Here is the basic information about the game:
- Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET / 1:25 p.m. PT
- Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
- Week: Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season
- TV: FOX
This game is part of the NFC West division, so it counts a lot for the standings. Both teams know each other well, and both teams want to start their season strong.
A Short Look at the Rivalry
The 49ers and Seahawks have played each other since 1976. Over the years, this matchup has become one of the most watched rivalries in the NFC. As of now, Seattle leads the all time series 33 wins to 24. In the regular season only, Seattle also leads, 31 to 23.
The most recent meeting between these two teams was in the playoffs. On January 17, 2026, the Seahawks beat the 49ers 41 to 6 in the NFC Divisional Round. That game was part of Seattle’s run to the Super Bowl, where they went on to win Super Bowl LX. So heading into this new season, Seattle is the defending Super Bowl champion, and they also hold a two game win streak against San Francisco.
This history matters. It means the 49ers will want payback, and the Seahawks will want to prove that their playoff win was not just luck.
49ers Key Players and Their Stats
Brock Purdy, Quarterback
Brock Purdy is the 49ers’ starting quarterback. In the 2025 season, injuries limited him to only 9 games. In those games, he threw for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Even with the missed time, Purdy still ranked among the top fantasy quarterbacks per game, which shows how effective he can be when healthy.
Purdy started the 2026 season strong. In the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco won 27 to 7, and Purdy threw for three touchdowns in that game. Fans will want to see if he can keep this level of play against a tough Seattle defense.
Christian McCaffrey, Running Back
Christian McCaffrey is one of the most complete running backs in the NFL. In 2025, he stayed healthy for the whole season and was the 49ers’ most targeted offensive weapon, even more than the team’s wide receivers. McCaffrey can run the ball and catch passes out of the backfield, which makes him hard for any defense to plan for, including Seattle’s.
George Kittle, Tight End
George Kittle is one of the best tight ends in football. His 2025 season was cut short after only 11 games because of injuries, including an Achilles injury in the playoffs. Over his career playing with Purdy, Kittle has caught 214 passes for 3,030 yards and 28 touchdowns in 45 games together. When Kittle is on the field, Purdy’s passing game gets much stronger. In fact, reports show that Purdy has lost all three games in his career that he played without Kittle in the lineup.
Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, Wide Receivers
The 49ers added wide receiver Mike Evans in the offseason to give Purdy another strong target. Deebo Samuel Sr. also returned to the team this year. Both players are expected to play a big role in the passing offense, especially with rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling dealing with an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out for about a month.
49ers Defense
On defense, the 49ers had a tough 2025 season in one area. The team recorded only 20 sacks all season, which was the fewest of any team in the NFL. This is something Seattle’s offensive line and quarterback Sam Darnold will try to take advantage of in this game.
Seahawks Key Players and Their Stats
Sam Darnold, Quarterback
Sam Darnold had a strong 2025 season as Seattle’s starting quarterback. He threw for 4,048 yards, completed 67.7 percent of his passes, and had 25 touchdowns against 14 interceptions across 17 games. This was one of the best seasons of his career, and it helped lead Seattle deep into the playoffs and to a Super Bowl title.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a huge 2025 season. He caught 119 passes for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns across 17 games, which is an average of over 105 yards per game. He is now one of the top wide receivers in the entire league, and he will be the main target for Darnold in this game.
Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp, Wide Receivers
Rashid Shaheed added another scoring threat in 2025, with 59 catches for 687 yards and two touchdowns across 18 games. He is known for his speed and ability to make big plays. Cooper Kupp joined the Seahawks and brings years of playoff experience as a reliable target underneath and in the red zone.
Seahawks Defense
Seattle’s defense also had a strong 2025 season. As a team, the Seahawks forced 18 fumbles, which was the most in the NFL. Two defenders stood out. Ernest Jones finished with 126 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and five interceptions in 15 games. Drake Thomas recorded 88 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, eight passes defended, and one interception in 16 games. This defense will try to slow down McCaffrey and pressure Purdy all game long.
What to Watch For in This Game
There are a few matchups that could decide this game:
- Purdy against Seattle’s pass rush. The 49ers had trouble protecting Purdy at times last season. If Seattle’s defense can get pressure early, it could change the whole game plan.
- McCaffrey against Seattle’s run defense. If McCaffrey can find running room, it will open up the passing game for Purdy and keep Seattle’s defense on the field longer.
- Smith-Njigba against San Francisco’s secondary. After his huge 2025 season, all eyes will be on whether Smith-Njigba can keep up that same level of play against a division rival that knows his tendencies well.
- Can San Francisco’s pass rush show improvement? After finishing last in sacks in 2025, this is a chance for the 49ers’ defensive line to prove they have improved.
- Home field advantage. Lumen Field is known as one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. This can make it harder for an away team like the 49ers to communicate on offense.
Final Thoughts
This matchup between the 49ers and Seahawks brings together two teams with talented rosters and a long history of close, physical games. Seattle comes in as the defending Super Bowl champion and owns a two game win streak in the rivalry, while San Francisco will be looking to use its skill players, especially McCaffrey and Kittle, to turn things around. Whichever team wins the battle in the trenches and limits mistakes will likely walk away with the win in this NFC West clash.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the 49ers play the Seahawks in 2026?
The first matchup of the season is on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Lumen Field in Seattle. The teams also play a second time later in the season, on November 29, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Who won the last game between the 49ers and Seahawks?
The Seahawks won the most recent matchup, 41 to 6, in the NFC Divisional Round of the 2025 playoffs, played on January 17, 2026. That win helped Seattle move forward on their path to winning Super Bowl LX.
Who are the top players to watch in this matchup?
On offense, key players include 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, and tight end George Kittle, along with Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. On defense, watch for Seattle linebackers Ernest Jones and Drake Thomas, who both had strong 2025 seasons.
