Seahawks Rely On Ground Game As 49ers Clash Looms

The NFC Divisional Round is set to deliver yet another chapter in one of football’s most heated rivalries, as the Seattle Seahawks prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The stakes are sky-high—one team will move on for a shot at the conference championship, while the other’s season comes to a screeching halt. With the Seahawks entering as a seven-point favorite and holding the NFC’s top seed at 14-3, all eyes are on Seattle’s powerhouse ground game and veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp, whose role in the offense has generated plenty of pregame buzz.

Seattle comes into this matchup fresh off a bye week, brimming with confidence after a commanding 13–3 win over these same 49ers in Week 18. That win wasn’t just about the scoreboard—it was about physical dominance, especially on the ground. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet combined for a jaw-dropping 180 rushing yards in that contest, setting the tone for what many expect to be a defense-first, run-heavy Divisional Round battle.

For the 49ers, the road to Lumen Field has been anything but smooth. San Francisco finished the regular season at 13–5 and earned its Divisional Round berth by outlasting the Eagles in the Wild Card round. However, their offense sputtered in their most recent meeting with Seattle, managing just three points as the Seahawks’ defense clamped down. This has fueled questions about whether the 49ers can break through against a team that has had their number in recent weeks.

And what about Cooper Kupp? The veteran receiver has been a steady headache for San Francisco throughout his career, notching 59 catches for 602 yards and three touchdowns in 12 regular-season games against the 49ers. His most memorable performance came on the grandest stage: in the 2021 NFC Championship Game, Kupp torched the 49ers for 11 receptions, 142 yards, and two touchdowns, leading his then-team, the Rams, to victory. But times have changed, and Kupp’s role in Seattle’s offense has shifted.

This season, Kupp has taken on more of a supporting role, falling behind young standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the pecking order. While he’s still capable of big moments—like his seven-catch, 90-yard outing against the Steelers in Week 2—his usage has been limited, especially in matchups with the 49ers. In both meetings this year, Kupp caught just two of three targets each time, finishing with 15 yards in Week 1 and 29 yards in Week 18. It’s a far cry from his glory days, but there’s no question that defenses still have to account for his savvy route-running and sure hands.

Despite concerns earlier in the week about an oblique issue, Kupp is healthy and active for the Divisional Round. He logged limited practice time and took some scheduled rest, but the Seahawks never listed him with a game designation on the final injury report—meaning he’s all systems go for Saturday night. According to the latest reports, "Cooper Kupp is healthy and active for the NFC Divisional Round game against the 49ers on January 18, 2026." That’s a relief for Seattle, who will need all hands on deck against a motivated San Francisco defense.

Seattle’s game plan, however, is no secret. The Seahawks have leaned heavily on their ground attack, with Walker and Charbonnet forming one of the league’s most dynamic duos. Their ability to control the clock and wear down defenses has been the foundation of Seattle’s 14-3 campaign and the primary reason they’re favored by a touchdown in this matchup. With the game total set at 44.5 points, oddsmakers are expecting a grind-it-out affair—one where points are at a premium and every possession counts.

San Francisco, meanwhile, enters the contest shorthanded. Star linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) and tight end George Kittle (Achilles) are both ruled out, while Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring) will also miss the game. Several others, including Ricky Pearsall (knee), Dee Winters (ankle), Luke Gifford (quadriceps), and Jacob Cowing (hamstring), are listed as questionable. The Seahawks aren’t without their own injury concerns: Sam Darnold (oblique) is questionable, and Elijah Arroyo (knee), Josh Jones (knee), and Chazz Surratt (ankle) are all out. But the absence of Warner and Kittle could loom especially large for the 49ers, who rely on their defensive leader and all-world tight end to set the tone on both sides of the ball.

The rivalry between these two NFC West titans has only grown more intense since Seattle joined the division in 2002. The Seahawks lead the all-time series 32–24, including a 31–23 edge in regular-season play. The postseason tally is deadlocked at one win apiece. There have been legendary streaks on both sides: Seattle rattled off ten straight wins from 2014 to 2018, while San Francisco answered with a six-game run between 2022 and 2024. Their most recent clash, just weeks ago, saw Seattle’s defense suffocate the 49ers’ attack, holding them to a lone field goal in a 13–3 victory.

Looking at the numbers, it’s clear that Saturday’s contest is likely to be a defensive slugfest. Both teams have proven they can win ugly, and with the 49ers’ offense struggling lately, the under might be in play. As noted by analysts, "This isn’t an offensive-friendly game. The 49ers won the first matchup 17-13, and the Seahawks won the next round 13-3. The under should be in play as Seattle’s defense is its win condition." That means opportunities for Kupp and the rest of Seattle’s receivers could be limited, especially with Walker and Charbonnet expected to carry the offensive load.

Still, don’t count out the possibility of a big play from Kupp. Even in a supporting role, he has a knack for finding soft spots in the defense, and his playoff pedigree speaks for itself. But with Seattle’s formula built around defense and the run game, Kupp’s biggest impact may come in drawing coverage and opening up space for his teammates.

As kickoff approaches, anticipation is building in Seattle and across the NFL landscape. Can the Seahawks’ ground attack and stifling defense carry them to another conference championship appearance? Or will the 49ers, battered but determined, pull off the upset and keep their Super Bowl dreams alive? One thing’s for sure: when these two rivals collide, sparks fly and anything can happen.

With rosters set, legends on both sidelines, and a trip to the NFC title game on the line, all that’s left is to play the game. As fans settle in for what promises to be a hard-fought battle, the only certainty is that the next chapter in this storied rivalry is about to be written—one snap at a time.