Image Source: Kole Musgrove, Seahawks Wire
Key Takeaways
- The Seattle Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers with a 41-6 win, tying the record for most lopsided postseason win in franchise history.
- The Seahawks will host the NFC Championship game for the fourth time ever, with the previous three times resulting in a trip to the Super Bowl.
- Sam Darnold defied doubters with a solid performance, completing 12-of-17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown.
- Kenneth Walker III scored three touchdown runs, helping to seal the win for the Seahawks.
- The 49ers’ loss marked the first time they have not advanced to at least the NFC Championship under Kyle Shanahan.
Introduction to the Game
The Seattle Seahawks made a statement on Saturday night, obliterating the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 in a playoff game that will be remembered for a long time. As one reporter noted, "This was the re-passing of the torch. For most of the 21st century, the Seahawks have outright owned the 49ers. But in recent years, the rivalry went rather lopsided." The Seahawks’ win was a reminder of their dominance over the 49ers, and it marked a turning point in the rivalry. As the Seahawks’ coach would later say, "We’ve been working towards this moment all season, and to have it pay off like this is just incredible."
A Dominant First Quarter
The game started off with a bang, as Rashid Shaheed took the opening kick off 95 yards to the house for the longest kick return touchdown in Seahawks history. As Shaheed himself said, "I just saw a seam and hit it, and the next thing I knew, I was in the end zone." The Seahawks’ ensuing drive resulted in a field goal, and they quickly got the ball back following a forced fumble from Ernest Jones IV on tight end Jake Tonges. Sam Darnold, who was questionable with an oblique injury, showed he was plenty healthy as he found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the touchdown. As Darnold noted, "I’ve been working hard to prove myself, and to have a game like this is just amazing."
A Rout in the Making
The 49ers managed a pair of field goals in the second quarter to cut into Seattle’s lead, but the Seahawks quickly extinguished any momentum they had begun to capture with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped off by the first of three Kenneth Walker III touchdown runs. As Walker said, "We just played our game, and it worked out in our favor." The rout was on, and the Seahawks never looked back. By halftime, the score was 24-6, and the 49ers were struggling to keep up.
A Second Half to Forget
The third quarter started off poorly for the 49ers, as they turned the ball over on downs after seven plays. The Seahawks took over and eventually kicked a field goal, further burying the 49ers. The death knell came shortly after, as Brock Purdy threw an interception to Ernest Jones IV to give the Seahawks another opportunity. Six plays later, Walker found the end zone again, making it 34-6 and all but sealing the win for the Seahawks. As one reporter noted, "The 49ers just couldn’t get anything going, and the Seahawks took advantage of every mistake they made."
Conclusion and Looking Ahead
The final score of 41-6 was a testament to the Seahawks’ dominance, and it marked a significant shift in the balance of power in the NFC West. As the Seahawks’ coach said, "We’re proud of our team and the way they played tonight. We’re looking forward to the next challenge." The Seahawks will now host the NFC Championship game, and they will face either the Chicago Bears or the Los Angeles Rams. As Sam Darnold noted, "We’re just taking it one game at a time, and we’re excited to see who we’ll be playing next." With their win, the Seahawks have reminded the world why Lumen Field is a fortress, and they are one step closer to making a trip to Super Bowl LX.
https://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/seahawks/2026/01/17/seahawks-vs-49ers-seattle-humiliates-san-francisco/88240036007/