FOX delayed 49ers and Seahawks coverage
The Giants and Commanders started at 1 p.m. ET, while San Francisco and Seattle were scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Washington’s game stretched into overtime, creating a conflict between FOX’s broadcast windows.
On Sept. 29, the NFL moved Chicago’s Oct. 11 game against Green Bay to 1 p.m. ET. Detroit at Arizona and San Francisco at Seattle were FOX’s only 2 scheduled late-afternoon games that Sunday.
FOX faced conflicting Sunday kickoff windows
The Giants and Commanders started at 1 PM Eastern, while San Francisco and Seattle were scheduled for a 4:25 PM Eastern kickoff. Washington’s contest stretched into overtime, creating a conflict between the FOX broadcast windows.
On September 29, the NFL moved Chicago’s October 11 game against Green Bay to 1 PM Eastern. Detroit at Arizona and San Francisco at Seattle were FOX’s only two scheduled late afternoon games that Sunday.
FOX featured the NFC West matchup
FOX designated San Francisco against Seattle as America’s Game of the Week. The October meeting followed the Seahawks’ 41-6 home victory over the 49ers at Lumen Field in the NFL’s January 2026 divisional playoff round.
San Francisco arrived with a 4-0 record, compared with Seattle’s 3-1 start. Kevin Burkhardt called the game alongside Tom Brady, while Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi reported from the sidelines during Sunday’s contest for FOX.
FOX coverage varied across local markets
Some FOX viewers were switched away from another live football game to watch overtime between the Giants and Commanders. The network’s specific regional programming choices affected selected households originally expecting Sunday’s later NFC West matchup.
Television coverage maps showed San Francisco against Seattle assigned to most United States markets. Selected U.S. regions received other games through their local FOX stations, meaning viewers did not all encounter the same broadcast sequence.
Renardo Green intercepted Sam Darnold
San Francisco cornerback Renardo Green intercepted Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold with 12:40 left in the opening quarter at Lumen Field. The defender secured the pass at the Seahawks’ 18-yard line, setting up a scoring opportunity.
Seattle opened that possession with Emanuel Wilson’s short run before Jaden Dugger sacked Darnold for a 7-yard loss. Green added another interception during the third quarter, finishing with two takeaways for San Francisco against Seattle.
Brock Purdy found Mike Evans for a score
Brock Purdy connected with Mike Evans on a 2-yard touchdown pass with 11:12 remaining in the first quarter Sunday. The San Francisco quarterback completed the scoring play after Green’s interception provided favorable field position.
The 49ers gained 18 yards in 4 plays, using 1 minute and 23 seconds on the scoring drive. Eddy Piñeiro added the extra point, while Evans finished with 7 receptions for 113 yards against Seattle.
Jacob Cowing lost control of a punt
San Francisco returner Jacob Cowing muffed Michael Dickson’s punt with 9:34 remaining in the first quarter. Seattle tight end Eric Saubert recovered the ball at the 49ers’ 24-yard line, giving the Seahawks favorable field position.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett made contact while Cowing was losing control of the catch. The hit prevented an immediate recovery and allowed Seattle to take possession of the football close to San Francisco’s end zone.
Emanuel Wilson tied the opening score
Seattle running back Emanuel Wilson scored on a 2-yard rush with 5:46 left in the first quarter. Jason Myers converted the extra point, bringing the score level at 7-7 after San Francisco’s opening touchdown drive.
The Seahawks covered 24 yards in six plays after recovering the muffed punt, taking 3 minutes and 40 seconds. Wilson finished with 61 rushing yards on 20 attempts against visiting San Francisco in Week 5.
Jameis Winston erased Washington’s lead
Giants quarterback Jameis Winston brought New York back from a 27-13 fourth-quarter deficit against Washington. Two touchdown passes closed the gap and sent the October 11 contest into overtime at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
Winston connected with Isaiah Likely for a 17-yard touchdown before finding Malik Nabers for another score from that distance. The quarterback completed 33 of 54 attempts for 326 yards and three passing touchdowns that day.
Washington missed its final field goal chance
Washington reached the Giants’ 24-yard line with 12 seconds remaining in overtime and no timeouts available. Quarterback Jayden Daniels went down inbounds, leaving insufficient time to stop the clock and attempt a potential field goal.
The extra period ended without either team scoring, producing a 27-27 tie. Washington head coach Dan Quinn later publicly accepted full responsibility for the final sequence, which prevented a possible winning kick against New York.
Fun fact: In 2011, Seahawks fans shook the ground so much during a touchdown that a nearby seismometer recorded the vibrations, an event nicknamed the “Beast Quake.”
NFL Sunday Ticket blocked local coverage
Some NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers could not watch San Francisco against Seattle through their subscriptions. The service excludes Sunday afternoon games assigned to local television, even when an earlier broadcast remains on screen at kickoff.
YouTube provides Sunday Ticket for out-of-market NFL matchups rather than games carried by local FOX or CBS affiliates. Eligible YouTube TV plans separately include available local channels, which vary by subscribers’ local viewing area.
FOX viewers expressed complaints online
Fans of both San Francisco and Seattle criticized FOX’s coverage decision through social media and team discussion forums. The reaction followed the network’s eventual switch to the NFC West game after several notable opening plays.
FOX also released an official highlight of Brock Purdy’s early touchdown pass to Mike Evans. The video allowed viewers to watch a scoring moment that some local broadcasts had not shown live on October 11.
Brock Purdy has earned his first career monthly honor following the 49ers’ unbeaten start. Explore how his performances helped San Francisco build early momentum this season.
San Francisco 49ers finished with a 32-29 win
San Francisco defeated Seattle 32-29 after Eddy Piñeiro converted a 44-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining in regulation on Sunday. Jason Myers had earlier tied the fourth-quarter score at 29 with a successful 40-yard attempt.
The 49ers improved to 5-0, while Seattle moved to 3-2. Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba recorded five receptions for 102 yards, and San Francisco earned its third NFC West victory of the early 2026 regular season.
Wondering why Jerry Jones continues to support Tony Romo after his CBS exit? Explore the history behind their relationship and what keeps the Cowboys owner backing his former quarterback.
Should FOX have switched to the 49ers and Seahawks at kickoff instead of finishing Giants and Commanders overtime? Let us know what you think and share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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