Seahawks vs. 49ers final score, results: San Francisco dominates second half to eliminate Seattle

Sam Jarden

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Seahawks vs. 49ers final score, results: San Francisco dominates second half to eliminate Seattle image

As the 49ers headed into the locker room at halftime on Saturday, their Super Bowl aspirations hung in the balance. They surprisingly trailed the Seahawks in their wild-card playoff game at Levi's Stadium. They needed to flip the script to stay alive. 

Two quarters later, any concern was in the distant past. A dominant second half led San Francisco to a comfortable 41-23 home win and sent the team on to the NFC divisional round. Kyle Shanahan's squad not only survived, it also flexed its muscles and showed the rest of the league why it should continue to be regarded as a serious Super Bowl contender. 

MORE: Jonathan Abram's twist of Deebo Samuel's ankle leads to scuffle in Seahawks vs. 49ers

Brock Purdy recovered from a shaky first half to finish 18 of 30 through the air for 332 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Christian McCaffrey was stellar, finishing with 138 total yards and a touchdown, while Deebo Samuel was his usual explosive self; he ripped off a huge 74-yard touchdown catch-and-run to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. The Niners racked up 505 yards of total offense, their highest mark in three seasons.

A defense that allowed Geno Smith and the Seahawks' offense to move the ball at will in the first 30 minutes clamped down, forcing two turnovers and holding Seattle to just a consolation touchdown late in the fourth quarter. 

MORE: 4 reasons to believe 49ers' Brock Purdy can be first rookie QB to win the Super Bowl

It was a disappointing end to the season for the Seahawks, but making it to the playoffs was an impressive achievement for Pete Carroll's young squad. With plenty of draft capital available, this is a franchise to keep an eye on over the next few years.

San Francisco now shifts its attention to the divisional round, where it will host the highest remaining seed next weekend. 

MORE: Full 2023 NFL playoff schedule

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Seahawks vs. 49ers. Here are all the key moments you might have missed from the wild-card playoff showdown. 

Seahawks vs. 49ers score

  1  2 3 4 F 
Seahawks 0 17 0 6 23
49ers 10 6 7 18 41

Seahawks vs. 49ers live updates, highlights from NFL playoffs

(All times Eastern.)

7:34 p.m. FINAL — That'll do it in Santa Clara! The 49ers dominate the second half to advance to the NFC Divisional round, while the Seahawks' impressive season comes to a disappointing end. 

49ers 41, Seahawks 23

7:30 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — A consolation touchdown for the Seahawks, and of course it's Metcalf. He's been fantastic today despite the score. The Seahawks go for two but they fail to convert. 

7:29 p.m. — On 4th and goal, flags fly for defensive pass interference. That makes it 1st and goal Seattle.

7:24 p.m. TWO-MINUTE WARNING — The Seahawks are in the red zone after another catch by Johnson for a gain of 24 yards. However, on 3rd and goal, Geno is wrapped up for a sack. That takes us to the two-minute warning. 

7:22 p.m. — In desperation mode, Seattle goes for it on 4th and 4 and converts after a catch by Cade Johnson. The drive has moved over midfield. 

49ers 41, Seahawks 17

7:17 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The 49ers add to their lead with another field goal by Gould. 

7:15 p.m. — After a lackluster first half, Brock Purdy has really kicked into gear in this second half. He just kept a 3rd down play alive with his legs and made a gorgeous throw to Aiyuk in the back of the end zone, but the receiver couldn't hang on. Still, you have to be impressed with the rookie's poise and confidence in his first career playoff game. 

7:11 p.m. — As the Niners try to bleed clock and secure this win, Elijah Mitchell just absolutely trucked Ryan Neal. Sheesh. 

7:07 p.m. INTERCEPTION — And things go from bad to worse for the Seahawks. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Geno throws a pass into tight coverage for Lockett that is picked off by Deommodore Lenoir! The wheels have fallen off for Seattle here in this second half. 

49ers 38, Seahawks 17

7:02 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — IT'S DEEBO! He makes a catch on the left side, then absolutely turns on the jets down the left sideline for a wild 74 yard touchdown! He has some serious wheels. That will probably lock up this victory for San Francisco. 

6:56 p.m. — Geno just barely overthrows Metcalf on a shot down the left sideline. Facing 3rd and a mile, the Seahawks play it safe with a short pass to Cade Johnson that comes up way short of the marker. They'll have to punt it away, and their hopes of an upset are fading by the second.

6:55 p.m. — The Seahawks are moving the wrong direction now. After a holding penalty and a false start, it's suddenly 1st and 25. 

6:54 p.m. — Metcalf's huge day continues as he makes yet another catch for a 1st down. He's up to 7 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown so far.

49ers 31, Seahawks 17

6:50 p.m. — The Niners go for two and get it, with Purdy throwing a dart to Kittle in the corner of the end zone! The home team jumps out to a two-touchdown lead!

6:49 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Purdy improvises in the pocket, then spots a wide open Elijah Mitchell out to his right. He floats a pass and Mitchell runs into the end zone untouched! 

6:47 p.m. — The 49ers open the final quarter with a big play! Purdy hits Jauan Jennings for a gain of 33 to set up 1st and goal! He dimed him! 

6:44 p.m. — One quarter left in this NFL playoff opener. Who will take control down the stretch?

End of third quarter: 49ers 23, Seahawks 17

6:42 p.m. — Shanahan is feeding McCaffrey now, and he's reaping the benefits. After a tough run for 9 yards on 1st down, he rips off another one for 12 more. He's a special, special player. 

6:38 p.m. FUMBLE — HUGE PLAY! Charles Omenihu gets to Geno and rips the ball out, before Nick Bosa jumps on the loose ball! That's a fumble and a recovery by San Francisco! Massive momentum shift! 

6:37 p.m. — Just as they enter the red zone, the Seahawks commit their second penalty of the afternoon. An ineligible man downfield call brings up 2nd and 14, and that'll be 3rd and 14 after an incompletion to Metcalf. 

6:35 p.m. — The Seahawks follow up the conversion with a throw to Lockett for 10 more yards and another 1st down. However, a handoff to Dallas on the next play goes nowhere. Seattle center Austin Blythe was also hurt on that last run play. 

6:33 p.m. — What an incredible catch by Metcalf! He juggled the ball on a slant route, but somehow managed to not only hold onto it, but also dive forward to pick up the 1st down! He's feasting right now. 

6:31 p.m. — On 2nd and 7, Smith spins out of a possible sack in the backfield, then has to throw it away. That brings up another 3rd and long situation, and that's about to get even longer after a false start, Seattle's first penalty of the day. 

6:30 p.m. — Smith drops back and throws left to Tyler Lockett, who makes the catch and picks up a key 1st down! These offenses suddenly can't be stopped. 

6:28 p.m. — Geno throws it into the dirt on 2nd down, bringing up 3rd and 5. The crowd is getting noisy at Levi's Stadium, and I think that noise threw the offense off and forced them to burn a timeout. Not what you want midway through the third quarter. 

6:26 p.m. — On 2nd and 8, Geno pumps once then throws downfield to Metcalf, who makes another grab and runs all the way across midfield! He's having a huge afternoon so far. 

49ers 23, Seahawks 17

6:22 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Purdy sneaks it, dragging the pile over the goal line and into the end zone! The Niners retake the lead!

6:20 p.m. — On 3rd and 1, McCaffrey dives up the middle to move the chains and set up 1st and goal. 

6:17 p.m. — Facing 3rd and 7, Purdy throws it short to Deebo, who jinks and jukes his way for a crucial gain of 21 yards! The 49ers are in the red zone, but hold everything. Samuel is down hurt after that play. He's slow to get up, and now we have a scuffle breaking out on the field. Samuel looks like he'll be alright, and the scuffle simmers out without any penalties. 

6:16 p.m. — Purdy has all day to throw, and he duly delivers a strike to Kittle for a nice gain of 23 yards. San Francisco has already moved to the very edge of field goal range. 

6:14 p.m. — Kyle Juszczyk gets his first catch of the game, then two plays later Purdy sneaks up the middle to pick up a first down. 

6:12 p.m. START OF SECOND HALF — San Francisco receives the ball first this half, giving them a quick opportunity to get back on top. 

6:01 p.m. — Well, we have a very surprising halftime score in the Bay Area. After falling into a 10-0 hole, the Seahawks have battled back to take an unexpected lead into the locker room. Will they hang on for the upset? Or will the Niners pull this one out?

End of first half: Seahawks 17, 49ers 16

5:58 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Myers' kick from 56 yards is GOOD! The Seahawks take the lead into halftime! Those points were the direct result off Ward's boneheaded penalty on the previous play. He really cost his team there. 

5:56 p.m. — Oh man. With about 5 seconds left in the half, Geno scrambles and harmlessly slides to the turf after a gain of about 10, but Jimmie Ward comes in late and gets flagged an incredibly needless unnecessary roughness penalty. That'll drive Shanahan crazy. The Seahawks now have a chance at a very long field goal try to retake the lead. 

49ers 16, Seahawks 14

5:54 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Gould stays perfect on the day, putting it right down the middle from 46 yards to give San Francisco the lead once again. 

5:53 p.m. — On 3rd and 10, Purdy goes deep to the end zone for Deebo, but the pass is broken up on a great play by cornerback Mike Jackson. That may have saved a touchdown. Still, the 49ers will have a shot at a field goal to take the lead with just seconds left in the first half. 

5:50 p.m. — Purdy has to throw it away on 1st down, setting up 2nd and 10 with 32 seconds remaining. But the rookie lost track of the play clock and Shanahan is forced to burn one of his two remaining timeouts to avoid a delay of game penalty. Sloppy. 

5:49 p.m. — Back-to-back incompletions bring up 3rd and 10 from just over midfield. Purdy drops back and throws left to Deebo, who skips free of his defender and turns the corner for a 1st down!

5:47 p.m. — That's a very good start! Purdy goes deep over the middle for Aiyuk on 1st down and the catch is made for a big gain of 31 yards!

5:45 p.m. — After Dallas gets stuffed for no gain on 2nd down, they hand it right back to him on 3rd and 8 with the exact same result. Seattle will have to punt, and the Niners will get one last chance to take a halftime lead with 1:15 left on the clock. 

5:42 p.m. TWO-MINUTE WARNING — Metcalf just absolutely bulldozed Charvarius Ward on his way to a 1st down. He's not messing around today. After a short run by Walker, we've reached the two-minute warning. 

5:38 p.m. — No, they can't. After short gains on 1st and 2nd down, Purdy's pass on 3rd and 3 misses his intended target, Deebo Samuel. That's a three-and-out, and suddenly the Seahawks have all the momentum on their side as they try to close out the half with a score. 

5:36 p.m. — What a turnaround in this second quarter. It felt like the 49ers were totally in control early, but they suddenly find themselves trailing with the half winding down. Can they put together a drive here?  

Seahawks 14, 49ers 13

5:34 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — WOW. Out of nothing, the Seahawks are back in the end zone! On 3rd and short, Geno launches one down the left sideline to Metcalf, who smoked his defender and caught it in stride for a 50 yard house call! After the Jason Myers extra point, Seattle has the lead!

5:31 p.m. — The sun has come out in Santa Clara as Geno Smith retakes the field. On 2nd and 7, a toss to tight end Noah Fant picks up 11 yards and a first down. 

49ers 13, Seahawks 7

5:28 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Gould connects from 33 yards to make it a 6-point game. But the momentum has definitely shifted slightly towards the Seahawks this quarter. They could take the lead with a touchdown and an extra point on this drive. 

5:27 p.m. — Kyle Shanahan plays it safe and runs a draw play on 3rd and long. It comes up well short of the sticks, so this will be another field goal try for Gould. 

5:25 p.m. — A pass to McCaffrey keeps San Francisco moving with another solid chunk gain of 13 yards. But he's tripped up for no gain on the next play, then a Bruce Irvin sack on Purdy sets up 3rd and long.  

5:21 p.m. — Oof, just as I say that he makes a bad decision, passing up a wide open Deebo in favor of a deep shot downfield that falls incomplete. However, he bounces back on the next play with a completion to Kittle for 14 yards. This Niners offense is firing on all cylinders right now. 

5:20 p.m. — After McCaffrey loses a couple of yards on 1st down, Purdy scrambles and high steps his way for a gain of 11 to move the chains again. Looks like he's settling into this game. 

5:18 p.m. — Purdy starts the ensuing 49ers drive in style with a long completion to Aiyuk for a gain of 23 yards! That quickly moves the home team to near midfield.

49ers 10, Seahawks 7

5:15 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — HUGE moment for Seattle! Kenneth Walker caps off a 14-play, 78-yard drive with a touchdown run to the left side! The Seahawks strike back!

5:13 p.m. — The drive stays alive after a direct snap to Walker picks up 5 yards on 3rd and short. 

5:11 p.m. — Two inside run plays set up 3rd and 1 for the Seahawks from about the SF 12 yard line. Niners defensive end Charles Omenihu was a little shaken up at the end of that last play, and the trainers will come on to attend to him. 

End of first quarter: 49ers 10, Seahawks 0

5:06 p.m. — On 3rd and 4, Smith throws right to Lockett, who absorbs a big hit and hangs on to move the chains. As the first quarter winds to a close, Seattle has the ball on the edge of the red zone. 

5:05 p.m. — Greenlaw has quickly checked back into this game after his injury. He just made a nice stop on D.J. Dallas on a run up the middle. 

5:04 p.m. — After a pair of handoffs to Walker, Smith steps up and scrambles for a gain of 11 yards to move the ball down to the SF 33 yard line. 

5:01 p.m. — Tyler Lockett makes his first catch of the game on the following play, picking up 7. 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw went down hurt after the play. 

4:59 p.m. — Smith badly overthrows D.K. Metcalf on 2nd down to bring up 3rd and 5. But the Pro Bowl QB goes right back to Metcalf and hits him on a slant route for a gain of 12. That's Seattle's first 1st down this game. 

4:58 p.m. — The Seahawks are in desperate need of points, with this game in danger of getting away from them very quickly. Let's see how Geno and Co. respond. 

49ers 10, Seahawks 0

4:54 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Touchdown Niners! Purdy steps up in the pocket to escape pressure and finds CMC wide open for a walk-in score! All San Francisco early!

4:53 p.m. — Purdy completes a pass over the middle to Elijah Mitchell, who drags a defender down to about the 2-yard line. Big chance to find the end zone here. 

4:51 p.m. — And there goes Christian McCaffrey! He shoots out of a cannon and finds all kinds of room on the left side, surging down the left sideline for a huge gain of nearly 70 yards! 

4:47 p.m. — On 3rd and 2, Geno fakes the handoff and scrambles to his left, but Tashaun Gipson sniffs it out really well and drags him down for a loss! San Francisco's defense has looked fantastic early in this game. This will be another Seahawks punt. 

4:46 p.m. — A good kickoff return by Godwin Igwebuike sets up solid field position near the Seattle 40 yard line for the Seahawks' second offensive possession. 

49ers 3, Seahawks 0

4:43 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Despite a shaky snap, the hold is good and Robbie Gould's kick sails through from 34 yards out to open the scoring. San Francisco strikes first. 

4:41 p.m. — With the 49ers nearing the red zone, a shot to the end zone on 1st and 10 gets broken up. Jauan Jennings was open, but Purdy's timing was just a tad off on the throw. After Deebo picks up 7 yards on 2nd down, Purdy's throw on 3rd and 3 goes incomplete. Some playoff jitters from Purdy? He wasn't at his best on that drive. Field goal attempt upcoming.

4:39 p.m. — There goes Deebo! He turns on the jets on an outside pitch to pick up 22 more yards! 

4:37 p.m. — Purdy takes the field for the first time today, and on the first play of the drive he drops back and way overthrows Deebo Samuel deep over the middle. But on the next play, he connects with Brandon Aiyuk for a gain of 19 to kickstart the drive. 

4:34 p.m. — The first play from scrimmage is a handoff to Kenneth Walker, who powers ahead for a gain of 9 yards. However, on 2nd down he gets stuffed on a run up the middle and loses a couple. On 3rd and short, Geno drops back to throw and gets dragged down for a sack by Arik Armstead! A huge opening series for this ferocious Niners defense! Seattle will have to punt it away. 

4:32 p.m. — The 49ers will kick it away, with the Seahawks receiving the ball first.  

4:29 p.m. — It's time to buckle up. The NFL playoffs start right now. 

4:24 p.m. — The Seahawks look hyped up and ready to go. Can they pull off a stunning upset in the first game of this year's postseason? 

4:17 p.m. — 49ers tight end George Kittle gets some pregame love from the legendary Jerry Rice.

3:51 p.m. — Nick Bosa looks ready to go. 

3:36 p.m. — One storyline to keep an eye on today is the weather. It's going to be a very soggy day in Santa Clara, which has been soaked by rain recently as storms continue to batter the West Coast. 

Click here to follow the latest weather updates ahead of kickoff.  

3:08 p.m. — Incredible stats here on rookie sensation Brock Purdy. He will be the first rookie quarterback EVER to start for the Niners. 

2:28 p.m. — The 49ers haven't lost a game since October 23rd (44-23 against the Chiefs). Will they keep their winning streak going today and stay alive in the playoffs? 

Seahawks vs. 49ers start time 

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 14
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT)

The game is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. local time) from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. 

The weather forecast calls for soggy conditions, with rain expected throughout the afternoon, and temperatures in the mid-50s Fahrenheit. 

What channel is Seahawks vs. 49ers on today? 

  • TV channel (national): Fox
  • TV channel (Seattle): KCPQ
  • TV channel (San Francisco): KTVU
  • TV channels (Canada): TSN1/3/CTV
  • Live streams: Bally Sports app | fuboTV (US) | DAZN (Canada)

The Seahawks vs. 49ers matchup will be broadcast nationally on Fox, with Joe Davis (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (color commentary) and Pam Oliver (sideline reporting) on the call from the Bay Area. 

In Canada, the game will air on channels TSN1/3/CTV.

Viewers in the United States looking for a live stream can watch on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. Canadian streamers can tune in on DAZN, which carries every NFL game. 

NFL playoff schedule 2023

Wild-card round

Saturday, Jan. 14

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream Tickets
7. Seattle Seahawks vs. 2. San Francisco 49ers 4:30 p.m. ET Fox FoxSports.com, fuboTV Buy tickets
5. Los Angeles Chargers vs. 4. Jacksonville Jaguars 8:15 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV Buy tickets

Sunday, Jan. 15

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream Tickets
7. Miami Dolphins vs. 2. Buffalo Bills 1 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV Buy tickets
6. New York Giants vs. 3. Minnesota Vikings 4:30 p.m. ET Fox FoxSports.com, fuboTV Buy tickets
6. Baltimore Ravens vs. 3. Cincinnati Bengals 8:15 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV Buy tickets

Monday, Jan. 16

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream Tickets
5. Dallas Cowboys vs. 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8 p.m. ET ESPN, ABC ESPN+, fuboTV Buy tickets

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 21

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream Tickets
  TBD   fuboTV Buy tickets
  TBD   fuboTV Buy tickets

Sunday, Jan. 22

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream Tickets
  TBD   fuboTV Buy tickets
  TBD   fuboTV Buy tickets

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 29

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream Tickets
AFC Championship TBD CBS Paramount+, fuboTV Buy tickets
NFC Championship TBD Fox FoxSports.com, fuboTV Buy tickets

Super Bowl 57

Sunday, Feb. 12

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream Tickets
Super Bowl 57 6:30 p.m. ET Fox FoxSports.com, fuboTV Buy tickets

Sam Jarden

Sam Jarden Photo

Sam Jarden joined Sporting News as an intern in 2020 and returned as a content producer in 2022. In between, he spent a year and a half at Turner Sports, managing the social media accounts for Bleacher Report, NBA on TNT, NBA TV and others. A proud UNC alumnus, he spends his free time following the Tar Heels, Buffalo Bills and Newcastle United FC, and has been known to occasionally hit the links.