At a Glance
- Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
- Kenneth Walker III rushed for three scores, tying a franchise playoff record.
- Seattle’s defense forced two turnovers and held San Francisco to six points.
- Why it matters: The Seahawks are now one win away from their first Super Bowl appearance in 11 years.
The Seattle Seahawks roared into the NFC championship game with a commanding 41-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night. The win sets up a home showdown next Sunday against either the Chicago Bears or the Los Angeles Rams, with a Super Bowl berth on the line.
Opening Strike Sets the Tone
Seattle struck instantly. Rashid Shaheed fielded the opening kickoff and raced 95 yards untouched for a touchdown, putting the Seahawks ahead 7-0 just 13 seconds into the game. The return was the longest postseason kickoff in franchise history and only the fourth to open a playoff game since 2000.
Sam Darnold, playing through an oblique injury that had him listed as questionable, guided the offense to two more scoring drives before San Francisco managed its first field goal. Darnold finished 12-of-17 for 124 yards and a touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the receiver’s playoff debut. The performance marked a stark turnaround from last season’s playoff flop with Minnesota, when he took nine sacks in a 27-9 loss to the Rams.
Walker Matches Franchise Mark
Kenneth Walker III shouldered the load on the ground, punching in three rushing touchdowns to tie Shaun Alexander’s franchise record for most in a postseason contest. Walker’s scoring runs came at critical junctures, extending leads each time the 49ers threatened to claw back.
Defense Dominates Shorthanded 49ers
Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense suffocated a depleted San Francisco offense missing three All-Pros: tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner, and defensive end Nick Bosa. Brock Purdy completed 15 of 27 passes for 140 yards while throwing an interception and losing a fumble. Tight end Jake Tonges added another fumble that the Seahawks recovered.
“They’re unbelievable. They’ve stepped up every single game for us,” Darnold said of the defense. “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.”
Lopsided History Repeats
The 35-point margin ranks as the second-worst playoff defeat in 49ers history, trailing only a 49-3 loss to the New York Giants in the 1986 divisional round. San Francisco never led and managed only two field goals on a night when Seattle’s special teams, offense, and defense all delivered highlight moments.
Injury Report
San Francisco lost running back Christian McCaffrey to a stinger in the second quarter; he returned briefly in the third before shutting it down for the night. Tonges left with a foot injury and did not return.
Seattle saw running back Zach Charbonnet exit in the second quarter with a knee injury, while left tackle Charles Cross went down with a foot issue in the third. Neither returned.
What’s Next
The 49ers enter an offseason of healing and retooling after finishing 13-6. The Seahawks, now 15-3, stand one victory away from the fourth Super Bowl appearance in club history and their first since the 2013 season.
