A Dominant Performance by the Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks made a powerful statement in their 2026 NFL Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, delivering an overwhelming victory that will be remembered for years to come. From the very start, the Seahawks showcased their dominance with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Rashid Shaheed, setting the tone for what would become an “all three phases” masterclass.

By the end of the first quarter, the Seahawks had already built a 17-0 lead. The halftime score was 24-6, and by the third quarter, it had grown to 34-6. The final score of 41-6 marked the largest playoff win in Seahawks history, tying their Super Bowl 48 triumph over the Denver Broncos. It also became the heaviest defeat of Kyle Shanahan’s coaching career.

Key Performances on Offense

Sam Darnold, who was questionable due to an oblique injury sustained during practice, didn’t have to do much but performed well in his first playoff win. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown before Drew Lock took over for mop-up duty. Kenneth Walker III was the standout on offense, rushing for 116 yards and scoring three touchdowns. This made him the first Seahawk in franchise history to rush for over 100 yards and score three touchdowns in a playoff game.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught his first touchdown against the 49ers, while Cooper Kupp led the team with five catches for 60 yards. Despite the offensive success, there were some concerns regarding injuries to Zach Charbonnet and Charles Cross, both of whom were sidelined but not needed for the remainder of the game.

Defensive Dominance

The Seahawks’ defense continued its strong performance, forcing three turnovers and allowing no touchdowns for the second consecutive game against the 49ers. They also managed to limit Christian McCaffrey’s explosive rushes and kept the 49ers under 300 yards of offense once again.

Ernest Jones had an interception and forced a fumble, while rookie Nick Emmanwori recovered a fumble following a DeMarcus Lawrence strip-sack. The defense played a crucial role in the Seahawks’ dominant performance, contributing significantly to the large margin of victory.

First Half Recap

The 49ers won the toss, but the Seahawks started the game on offense. Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, setting the tone for the game. Eddy Pineiro attempted to trip Shaheed but was flagged for the effort.

Seattle nearly extended their lead when Brock Purdy was hit by DeMarcus Lawrence, but the play was ruled incomplete. On 3rd and 1, Christian McCaffrey was stuffed by Byron Murphy II. The 49ers’ 4th and 1 play, an option pass to Kyle Juszczyk, failed as well.

The Seahawks capitalized on a short field after a turnover by the 49ers. Sam Darnold found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown, making it 17-0. The 49ers responded with a field goal, cutting the deficit to 17-3.

Second Half Recap

The 49ers struggled to gain momentum in the second half. Leonard Williams sacked Purdy, forcing another turnover on downs. The Seahawks added to their lead with a field goal, making it 27-6. Ernest Jones IV forced a fumble, leading to another touchdown by Kenneth Walker.

Following another turnover on downs, Walker scored his third touchdown of the night, sealing the 41-6 victory. Drew Lock entered for garbage time, and the Seahawks closed out the game with a strong defensive showing.

Final Score and Next Matchup

The Seahawks advanced to the NFC Championship Game, where they will host the winner of the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears matchup. The game is scheduled for Sunday, January 25 at 3:30 pm PT on FOX.