The San Francisco 49ers left everything on the field in a winner-take-all Week 18 showdown against the Seattle Seahawks, but came up short in a defensive battle on Saturday night. Despite the loss, San Francisco had already clinched a postseason berth in Week 16 and will now enter the postseason as a road Wild Card team.

Here are five takeaways from the 49ers-Seahawks Week 18 game:

Defensive Effort Keeps It Close

The 49ers defense had a gritty performance, limiting Seattle to just 13 points. LB Tatum Bethune and DL Sam Okuayinonu each recorded sacks, while DB Deommodore Lenoir and DL Keion White notched tackles for loss to disrupt the Seahawks rushing attack. San Francisco also saw impact plays in coverage, with CB Renardo Green breaking up a pass in his first game back and DL Alfred Collins batting away a throw. The defense held firm in the red zone, highlighted by a fourth-quarter stand that resulted in a missed Seattle field goal off the right upright.

Missed Opportunities Define the Night

Head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that several pivotal moments swung the game's outcome. A missed chance to recover a fumble, a third-and-long run allowed, and a late red-zone interception were defining moments in a low-scoring contest. "You can't miss those versus a team like that," Shanahan said, noting that both teams had limited margins for error against elite defenses.

Early Adjustments Keep It Within Reach

The 49ers offense worked through early challenges, opening the game with two punts and a turnover on downs in the second quarter. Seattle capitalized to build a 10-0 lead behind a Zach Charbonnet touchdown run and a Jason Myers field goal. K Eddy Piñeiro's 48-yard field goal before halftime put the 49ers on the board and kept the game within reach as the offense continued to adjust against a disciplined Seahawks defense.

Late Push Comes Up Short

San Francisco mounted its strongest drive of the night midway through the fourth quarter. QB Brock Purdy connected with TE George Kittle for a 20-yard gain and scrambled for another first down before finding WR Jauan Jennings to move the ball inside the red zone. The drive ended at the Seahawks three-yard line when a pass intended for RB Christian McCaffrey was intercepted, sealing a critical turning point in the game.

Postseason Mindset Shifts to the Road

Following the Week 18 loss, the locker room focus quickly turned toward the postseason. "This team's been through a lot this year," Shanahan said. "Now we've got to do it the hard way, and we'll embrace... Doing it the hard way." San Francisco now prepares for a road postseason run, knowing a potential rematch with Seattle could still be in the cards.

The loss to Seattle means the 49ers will wait until Sunday to learn their postseason path, with several games across the NFC impacting final seeding. San Francisco is set to open the postseason on the road, with positioning still to be determined based on results around the conference. The NFC Wild Card round begins next weekend.