For the first time in more than a decade, the Seahawks are heading back to the NFC Championship game — and they didn’t tiptoe their way there.
Seattle steamrolled the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night, delivering a ruthless 41–6 playoff win that felt decisive almost from the opening kick.
A kickoff that set the tone in seconds
The game was barely underway before the crowd was already in a frenzy.
Just 13 seconds after kickoff, Rashid Shaheed tore through the coverage unit and raced 95 yards to the end zone.
It was a blink-and-you-missed-it moment that immediately tilted the night in Seattle’s favor — and etched its place in franchise history as the longest postseason kickoff return the Seahawks have ever had.
Sam Darnold steadies the ship despite injury concerns
All eyes were on Sam Darnold leading up to kickoff after he spent the week dealing with an oblique issue.
But once the ball was snapped, he looked calm and in control.
Darnold finished with 127 passing yards, no interceptions, and a touchdown, doing exactly what Seattle needed from him: protect the football and keep the offense moving.
Kenneth Walker III puts on a playoff clinic
If there was any doubt about who owned the night, Kenneth Walker III erased it quickly.
The running back powered his way to 116 rushing yards on 19 carries and crossed the goal line three times.
He wasn’t done there either, adding three receptions for 29 yards.
His three rushing scores tied Shaun Alexander’s long-standing franchise mark for most rushing touchdowns in a playoff game.
Supporting cast chips in at the right moments
Seattle didn’t rely on just one weapon.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba came up with three catches, including a touchdown grab, while the offense consistently found ways to sustain drives.
It wasn’t flashy football — just efficient, physical, and relentless.
San Francisco never finds its footing
The scoreboard told a harsh story for the 49ers.
They managed only two field goals and were effectively out of the contest early.
The loss ranks as the second-worst playoff defeat in franchise history, trailing only their infamous 49–3 loss to the Giants back in 1986.
Injuries leave the 49ers short-handed
San Francisco’s problems went beyond the scoreboard.
The 49ers were without three key All-Pros — George Kittle, Fred Warner, and Nick Bosa — and their night got worse when Christian McCaffrey was forced out in the second quarter.
Although he briefly returned after halftime, he exited for good soon after.
Seattle’s defense turns ruthless
The Seahawks’ defense, nicknamed the ‘Dark Side,’ showed up with bad intentions.
Brock Purdy threw for 140 yards but was intercepted once and lost a fumble, while tight end Jake Tonges also coughed the ball up.
Seattle capitalized on mistakes and never let San Francisco breathe.
History made, confidence gained
Between Shaheed’s opening kick return, Walker’s record-tying performance, and a defense that smothered everything in sight, this was a complete statement win.
It wasn’t just about advancing — it was about reminding the rest of the NFC that Seattle belongs here.
What’s next?
The Seahawks now wait to see who stands between them and the Super Bowl.
They’ll face the winner of Sunday’s other NFC Divisional matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears, with a trip to the biggest game of the year on the line next weekend.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn