The Seattle Seahawks left no doubt on Saturday night, overpowering the San Francisco 49ers from the opening kickoff and cruising to a 41–6 victory to secure a spot in the NFC Championship Game.
Seattle set the tone instantly when Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown just 13 seconds into the game, igniting the crowd and delivering an early shock to the 49ers. The explosive play marked the longest postseason kickoff return in franchise history and was a sign of what was to come.
From there, the Seahawks controlled every phase. Kenneth Walker III was unstoppable on the ground, scoring three rushing touchdowns and tying Shaun Alexander for the most rushing scores in a playoff game in Seahawks history. Seattle’s offense consistently won at the line of scrimmage, wearing down a depleted San Francisco defense.
Quarterback Sam Darnold, playing through an oblique injury and making his first postseason appearance with Seattle, delivered a calm and efficient performance. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, earning his first career playoff win after a disappointing debut last season with Minnesota. His touchdown connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba highlighted a poised outing that kept the offense on schedule.
While Seattle surged, San Francisco struggled to keep pace. The 49ers were missing key All-Pros George Kittle, Fred Warner, and Nick Bosa, and the absences showed. Brock Purdy finished with 140 passing yards, an interception, and a lost fumble as he faced constant pressure from Seattle’s aggressive “Dark Side” defense. The Seahawks forced multiple turnovers and limited the 49ers to just two field goals.
The lopsided loss marked one of the worst playoff defeats in 49ers franchise history, as San Francisco never found momentum or rhythm. Seattle, meanwhile, looked sharp, balanced, and confident on both sides of the ball.
With the win, the Seahawks improved to 15–3 and will host the NFC Championship Game next weekend, with a Super Bowl berth on the line. Whether they face the Chicago Bears or Los Angeles Rams, Seattle will enter the matchup riding momentum and belief, having delivered one of the most dominant playoff performances in team history.
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