At a Glance
- Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown 13 seconds into the game
- Kenneth Walker III rushed for three touchdowns, tying a franchise playoff record
- The Seahawks’ defense forced two turnovers and limited the 49ers to two field goals
- Why it matters: Seattle moves one win away from its first Super Bowl appearance in 11 years
The Seattle Seahawks delivered a statement victory, routing the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 on Saturday night to advance to the NFC championship game.
Rashid Shaheed set the tone by taking the opening kickoff 95 yards for a score, the longest postseason kick return in team history and only the fourth such touchdown to open a playoff game since 2000.
Dominant Start to Finish
Sam Darnold, listed as questionable with an oblique injury, completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in his first playoff win. After struggling last season with Minnesota-taking nine sacks in a 27-9 loss to the Rams-he connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a score in the receiver’s playoff debut.
Seattle’s defense, nicknamed the “Dark Side,” forced two turnovers:
- Brock Purdy threw an interception and lost a fumble
- Tight end Jake Tonges also fumbled, with Seattle recovering
Purdy finished 15-of-27 for 140 yards as the 49ers managed only two field goals, suffering the second-most lopsided playoff loss in franchise history behind a 49-3 defeat to the Giants in the 1986 divisional round.
Record-Setting Ground Game
Kenneth Walker III powered the offense with three rushing touchdowns, matching Shaun Alexander’s single-game franchise playoff record. The Seahawks led 7-0 within the first 13 seconds and never trailed, building a comfortable cushion before halftime.
Darnold praised the defense after the game: “They’re unbelievable. They’ve stepped up every single game for us. Can’t say enough great things about that defense. It was tough in training camp and OTAs going up against them. But I’m glad they’re on our side.”
Injury-Riddled 49ers
San Francisco played without three All-Pros:
- Tight end George Kittle
- Linebacker Fred Warner
- Defensive end Nick Bosa
Running back Christian McCaffrey briefly left with a stinger in the second quarter, returned in the third, then exited for good. Tonges injured a foot and did not return.
Seattle also lost key players:
- Running back Zach Charbonnet hurt a knee in the second quarter
- Left tackle Charles Cross injured a foot in the third
Neither team provided updates on the severity of the injuries.
Championship Game Ahead
The Seahawks (15-3) will host either the Chicago Bears or the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday with a Super Bowl berth on the line. A victory would send Seattle to its fourth Super Bowl and first since the 2013 season.
The 49ers (13-6) enter an offseason of questions after the decisive defeat. San Francisco must regroup while assessing injuries to core stars and addressing the roster holes exposed in the loss.
Key Takeaways
- Seattle’s special-teams and defensive units set an immediate tone the 49ers never matched
- Darnold’s efficient play quieted doubts following last year’s playoff struggles
- The Seahawks stand one win from ending an 11-year Super Bowl drought
- San Francisco’s injury-depleted lineup underscores the challenge of sustaining championship-level depth
