Seahawks Claim NFC West Title in Dominant Performance

The Seattle Seahawks (14-3) have secured their place as the NFC West champions for the first time since 2020. Despite a lackluster offensive showing, the Seahawks defense delivered a masterclass performance, shutting down the high-octane San Francisco 49ers (12-5) offense. The game was won by a single touchdown, Zach Charbonnet’s 27-yard score, which proved to be more than enough for Seattle.

Seattle’s rushing attack was impressive, accumulating 179 yards on the night, continuing a trend of strong ground game performances. The Seahawks’ offense did not turn the ball over, while the defense managed just 173 yards of total offense. Sam Darnold completed 20 out of 26 passes for 198 yards, and Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet combined for 230 yards on the ground and through the air. Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the receiving corps with 84 yards on six catches.

Mike Macdonald’s team put on a true masterclass on the road, making it clear that the path to the Super Bowl 60 will go through Lumen Field.

First Half Recap

The Seahawks started the game on offense after losing the coin toss. They took up half the quarter with a balanced mix of runs and passes, including a 20-yard screen pass from Sam Darnold to Zach Charbonnet. A pass interference penalty by Deommodore Lenoir set up the Seahawks with first-and-goal at the 1. Klint Kubiak called a play action with Zach Charbonnet wide open, but Darnold didn’t see him and took a sack. Seattle reached the 4-yard line on 4th and goal, opting to go for it instead of kicking a field goal, but Darnold threw incomplete to Cooper Kupp.

After forcing a three-and-out on San Francisco’s first possession, a special teams penalty gave the Seahawks the ball back at the 49ers’ 35. On 3rd and 2, Zach Charbonnet cut back and went to the outside of A.J. Barner’s block, taking it to the house for a 7-0 lead.

Another three-and-out by the Seahawks defense followed. Christian McCaffrey had a short gain, Derick Hall recorded a short-loss sack, and Jauan Jennings was stuffed a couple of yards shy of the marker. Kyle Shanahan opted to punt instead of going for it at his own 43. Seattle again marched into 49ers territory, only to come away empty-handed. A blown-up screen for Ken Walker on 3rd and 14 led to a 47-yard field goal attempt for Jason Myers, who missed it wide right.

San Francisco was set up with good field position off the miss but wasted it. One first down by Christian McCaffrey moved the 49ers into Seahawks territory, but 4th and 1 saw Purdy pressured on play action and he heaved one to Kyle Juszczyk, which was incomplete. It would’ve been short of the marker anyway, and Riq Woolen nearly picked it. Turnover on downs.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught an 18-yard pass into 49ers territory on the first play of Seattle’s next drive, and again the Seahawks moved inside San Francisco’s 30. A deep shot to JSN for a touchdown was broken up in the end zone, and Jason Myers made a 45-yard field goal.

10-0 Seahawks.

A kickoff out of bounds set up the 49ers at their own 40. Purdy was able to convert a 3rd and 4 pass to Demarcus Robinson with Josh Jobe in coverage. San Francisco was able to grind out yards until Jarran Reed sacked Purdy and put the 49ers behind the sticks. Purdy was leveled by Nick Emmanwori and threw incomplete on 3rd and long, prompting a punt, which Rashid Shaheed returned for 20 yards to his own 37.

Second Half Recap

Seattle again reached the fringes of field goal range, only to go backward on 3rd and 2 with Charbonnet losing five yards on an open-field tackle by Deommodore Lenoir. Josh Jones hurt his ankle one play prior and was replaced by rookie Amari Kight at left tackle.

The 49ers once again were forced to punt after an inaccurate Purdy throw led to Demarcus Robinson coming back to the ball on 3rd and 2, with Devon Witherspoon tackling him for only a yard.

For the millionth time in a row, the Seahawks advanced across midfield. That almost didn’t happen when Darnold was tripped by Jalen Sundell on a handoff to Zach Charbonnet. San Francisco could not fall on the ball, but Charbonnet did. On 3rd and 17, a toss to Kenneth Walker gained 19 yards for a first down!

Another week where the Seahawks call a run on 3rd and long and it works out! Jaxon Smith-Njigba made a great adjustment on an off-target Darnold throw for 19 more yards into field goal range. Rashid Shaheed was interfered with by Renardo Green on 3rd down, setting up Seattle in the red zone.

With the score still 10-3 at the start of the fourth quarter, Darnold was pressured on 3rd down and checked it down to Eric Saubert, who was nowhere near the line to gain. Jason Myers easily converted a 31-yard field goal.

13-3 Seahawks with 14:15 to go.

At last, the 49ers finally got something really going against the Seahawks defense. Brock Purdy made a few good throws and scrambled for 11 yards. In next to no time, the Niners were inside Seattle’s 10 and threatening to make it 13-10… but the Seahawks defense wasn’t about to let that happen! Boye Mafe got the slightest of tips on a throw to McCaffrey out in the flat. CMC couldn’t hold on, and Drake Thomas found a football in his lap for a huge interception!

Backed up at their own 3, the Seahawks knocked out the 49ers once and for all. An astonishing drive of effective running and timely plays by Sam Darnold meant draining eight minutes off the clock and traveling 89 yards.

However, Seattle opted to kick on 4th and 1 instead of go for the clock-kneeling or touchdown dagger. Jason Myers from 26 yards out DOINKED it. Are you kidding me? Oh well, still only two minutes and a long ways to go for the 49ers to even kick a field goal. Didn’t matter, because the 49ers didn’t get a first down and turned it over on downs.

Final Result

NFC WEST CHAMPS, 13-3 Seahawks final!

Full Box Score

Next Week’s Opponent

A bye week, so we’ll see you in the NFC Divisional Round!