The San Francisco 49ers faced a disappointing 13-3 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night. Despite the loss, they still secure a playoff spot but without a first-round bye or home-field advantage. However, a potentially favorable matchup could arise, which is why George Kittle eagerly indicated his support for a specific team ahead of Sunday’s action.
The absence of star offensive lineman Trent Williams significantly affected the Niners’ performance. Scoring only three points marked their lowest offensive output of the season. The previous low was recorded back in Week 8, when they only managed 15 points against the Houston Texans.
Without the bye week, the 49ers must navigate a more challenging route to the Super Bowl. Yet, they still hold a glimmer of hope if other results play in their favor on Sunday. This leads to Kittle openly endorsing the Arizona Cardinals.
“Hey, we get to play football next week. Whoever it is, whatever happens, go Cardinals,” Kittle stated after the defeat. “My confidence remains the same. I’m looking forward to whoever we play. Let’s go, Budda [Baker] and Trey McBride.”
Baker and McBride are both key players for the Cardinals. So why is Kittle cheering for a divisional rival? If Arizona can pull off a win against the LA Rams, then the 49ers will face the NFC South champion in the first round of the playoffs, which are currently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Carolina Panthers—two teams with subpar records.
It’s also possible Kittle is subtly criticizing the Rams. But his need to support another team reflects the serious concern around playoff positioning.
If the Rams defeat the Cardinals, a likely scenario, the 49ers will need to prepare for a challenging matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. As the reigning champions, facing them in the first round poses significant difficulties.
Regrettably for Kittle and the 49ers, this outcome is highly probable. The Rams are heavily favored at 14.5 points against the struggling Cardinals. Consequently, San Francisco should gear up for a trip to Philadelphia.
George Kittle said “Go Cardinals”
•If Cardinals win, the 49ers get the NFC South winner.
•If Cardinals lose, the 49ers likely play the Eagles.Is this shameless by Kittle?
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) January 4, 2026
Overall, the playoff scenario resulting in a matchup against the Eagles is unfavorable for Kittle and his teammates. San Francisco’s defense is currently not at its best, suffering from injuries and recent lackluster performances.
The Eagles possess enough offensive talent to challenge any defense effectively. They also have the capability to establish an early lead against San Francisco.
This context makes Kittle’s remarks appear somewhat optimistic. Few genuinely believe the Cardinals can spring an upset on Sunday. However, if they do, it would spare the Niners from one of the most daunting first-round matchups a 12-5 team could encounter.
