49ers Lean Into Underdog Role Ahead of Divisional Clash in Seattle
The San Francisco 49ers are no strangers to being counted out. And once again, they’re stepping into a playoff spotlight with the odds stacked against them. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, San Francisco enters Saturday night’s divisional-round showdown at Lumen Field as seven-point underdogs against their NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.
But if you think that label is rattling this 49ers squad, think again. After pulling off a gritty 23-19 upset over the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round, San Francisco is riding a wave of momentum - and confidence - into one of the NFL’s toughest environments.
Purdy: “We Just Focus on Ourselves”
Quarterback Brock Purdy, who’s had his share of ups and downs this season, isn’t losing sleep over what the oddsmakers are saying. His focus? Execution, unity, and playing Niners football.
“I think, at the end of the day, for us, we just focus on ourselves,” Purdy said Wednesday. “We watched the film against Philly, and we’re all so eager to get better from that.”
That eagerness is rooted in a team that knows it still has more to prove. The 49ers have clawed their way into the divisional round, and they’re not interested in outside noise - whether it’s praise or doubt.
“We stayed alive, and we’re alive right now,” Purdy continued. “So, for us, how can we just go and find a way, play together and play our standard of ball as the 49ers?”
That standard - physical, disciplined, and relentless - will be put to the test in Seattle. And while the underdog narrative might be fueling headlines, inside the locker room, it’s all about execution.
A Tale of Two Matchups
This will be the third meeting between the division rivals this season, and the series is split. San Francisco edged out a 17-13 win in Week 1 - a game that came at a cost. Purdy suffered a toe injury during that contest, one that flared up again in Week 4 and sidelined him for eight games.
Fast forward to Week 18, and the Seahawks returned the favor, grinding out a 13-3 win at Levi’s Stadium to lock up the NFC’s top seed. That win not only gave Seattle home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but also served notice that this rivalry is as tight and physical as ever.
Lumen Field Awaits - And the 49ers Are Ready for It
If there’s one thing every NFL player knows, it’s that Lumen Field is not for the faint of heart. Seattle’s “12s” bring the noise, and then some. But for Purdy and this 49ers team, that kind of energy is exactly what they feed off.
“As I’ve played, you start to learn, and sort of feed off of the backs-against-the-wall kind of mentality of everybody there is wanting you to fail,” Purdy said. “And all you’ve got is your sideline and your team, and that’s it.”
It’s a mindset that’s been growing within this group - a sense that no matter the odds, no matter the crowd, they’re going to show up swinging.
“It’s almost this mentality of, like, everybody’s out against us, and we’ve got to defend ourselves and fight,” Purdy added. “I don’t know.
It’s been a thing that I sort of have learned that, as I’ve played, I really do like it. I know a lot of guys in the locker room do.
If you’re in the NFL as a competitor, you’re going to love that challenge.”
That “us against the world” mentality may not be new, but it’s clearly resonating in San Francisco’s locker room. It’s not just talk - it’s part of how they prepare, how they travel, and how they play.
Fred Warner’s Status Looms Large
While the offense is locked in, all eyes are on the status of one of the team’s emotional and physical anchors: linebacker Fred Warner. The All-Pro defender hasn’t played since suffering a dislocated and broken ankle in the Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Warner’s presence - both as a tone-setter and field general - would be a massive boost against a Seahawks offense that thrives on balance and tempo. Whether or not he suits up, the 49ers will need to be sharp across all three phases.
The Bottom Line
San Francisco may be heading into Seattle as underdogs, but they’re not walking in timid. They’ve embraced the role, leaned into the noise, and found strength in the challenge. With a quarterback who’s grown more comfortable in the fire and a locker room that thrives on adversity, the 49ers are bringing more than just a game plan to Lumen Field - they’re bringing belief.
And in January football, belief can go a long way.