The San Francisco 49ers suffered a tough 13-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, leaving their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The defeat not only ended their chance at the No. 1 NFC seed but also forced the team to prepare for postseason games on the road. Quarterback Brock Purdy took a brutal hit late in the fourth quarter, leaving his throwing hand bloody and his shoulder stunned. The moment reflected the 49ers’ uphill battle this season, as injuries and physical play have made their path to the Super Bowl more difficult. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team is ready to face the challenge. “It would have been nice to have a home game and a bye, but it is what it is. We got to do it the hard way,” he said. Shanahan emphasized the team’s resilience despite the setback. San Francisco had an opportunity to cut into Seattle’s lead late in the game. The 49ers reached the Seahawks’ six-yard line, but a tipped pass by Purdy ended up in the hands of linebacker Drake Thomas, closing their last chance to score. Running back Christian McCaffrey took responsibility for the play. “I have to make that play. It’s completely on me,” he said. The loss came despite the 49ers’ recent comeback win over the Chicago Bears, 42-38, in Week 17. Injuries played a significant role against Seattle. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who had sparked the offense in the previous game, was absent. Left tackle Trent Williams was also out, weakening the offensive line and exposing Purdy to Seattle’s strong pass rush. San Francisco’s low scoring marked a career-low point for Shanahan. The team managed only three points, matching their lowest total since 2017, Shanahan’s first season as head coach during a team rebuild. Injuries added to the 49ers’ challenges. Purdy left the field with a shoulder stinger, and linebackers Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune exited with ankle and groin injuries, respectively. If these players cannot return fully for the playoffs, San Francisco may face key games without starting linebackers. The 49ers’ playoff seeding is now at risk. The loss dropped them to No. 5 in the NFC, and a Los Angeles Rams win over the Arizona Cardinals could push them to the sixth seed. This shift would mean a road game against teams with strong records, including the Philadelphia Eagles or Chicago Bears. Despite the setback, Purdy remains confident. “We have a quick turnaround and we got to go win next week,” he said. “People have counted us out, but our goal is to go on the road and find a way to win. We’ve done it before.” For the 49ers, the playoff journey just got tougher. Injuries, a low-scoring output, and road games await. Yet Shanahan and his team plan to embrace the challenge and fight their way through the postseason, hoping to prove they can overcome the adversity that has defined their season.