Seahawks start fast and roll past 49ers, advance to NFC Championship Game

SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks proved they could secure a place in the NFC Championship Game without a fully-fit Sam Darnold, thanks to the incredible quality of their supporting cast.

Coach Mike Macdonald’s team has solidified its reputation as one of the most well-rounded squads in this postseason after dominating the San Francisco 49ers with a comprehensive 41-6 victory on Saturday night.

Seattle’s top-tier special teams kicked things off as Rashid Shaheed took the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, followed by two field goals from Jason Myers. The Seahawks’ formidable scoring defense produced three crucial takeaways, forced three turnovers on downs, and limited San Francisco to just two field goals. Kenneth Walker III excelled with three rushing touchdowns, and despite an oblique injury noticed in practice on Thursday, Darnold functioned effectively during the game.

Delivering a memorable performance for the 12s, the Seahawks reinforced their Super Bowl aspirations—even if their quarterback is not entirely healthy.

Despite concerns about his oblique injury, Darnold displayed agility and connected a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba after rolling to his left. Completing 12 of 17 attempts for 124 yards, he was substituted out with nine minutes left as Seattle enjoyed a comfortable 35-point lead. Darnold didn’t need to take center stage, maintaining a cautious play that minimized risks.

Trend to monitor: With a strong dedication to the running game and a reliable rushing structure paired with two talented backs, Seattle’s rushing attack, which faced challenges in the regular season, seems to have found its rhythm. This marks the Seahawks’ fourth consecutive game achieving over 160 rushing yards. Walker (116 carries for 19 yards and three touchdowns) led the charge, although Zach Charbonnet exited the game with a knee injury and did not return. Left tackle Charles Cross also sustained a foot injury in the third quarter, raising further concerns as they head into the next game.

Turning point: Whether it was Shaheed’s explosive touchdown on the opening kickoff or a turnover on downs during San Francisco’s first drive, Ernest Jones IV’s forced fumble in the first quarter stands out. He stripped tight end Jake Tonges, allowing safety Julian Love to recover the ball, which resulted in Darnold’s touchdown connection with Smith-Njigba, putting Seattle ahead 17-0 and establishing dominance. Jones also picked off Brock Purdy in the third quarter. Over their last two matchups, Seattle’s defense restricted San Francisco to merely three field goals.

Stat to note: The Seahawks pressured Purdy on 19 of his 33 dropbacks (58%). According to ESPN Research, this was the highest pressure rate of his career, with 19 pressures being the highest for Seattle in playoff history since 2009. Purdy managed to complete 6 of 14 passes for 74 yards, accompanied by an interception, two sacks, and a fumble when under duress.

— Brady Henderson

Next matchup: vs. Chicago Bears/Los Angeles Rams (6:30 p.m. ET, Jan. 25)

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Despite the presence of players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and George Kittle, the San Francisco 49ers found themselves outmatched and unable to create another significant upset.

Following 18 games that saw them miraculously clinch victories, Seattle again demonstrated superiority, forcing the 49ers to acknowledge the end of their season prematurely.

A crushing defeat to their division rivals in the playoffs will leave a lasting sting for San Francisco as it approaches a critical offseason.

Once the dust settles, however, the 49ers should feel encouraged that a season intended for rebuilding resulted in 13 wins and a place among the NFC’s top four. Preparing for the upcoming months will require addressing persistent injury problems, as the pass rush, receiving corps, and secondary will demand significant attention. The possibility of recruiting a new defensive coordinator looms if Robert Saleh pursues head coaching opportunities elsewhere.

As they come to terms with Saturday’s debacle, the Niners will discover they have ample resources to build upon moving forward.

Turning point: After Shaheed’s stunning 95-yard kickoff return for a score, San Francisco’s offense faced an opportunity to respond and quiet the Seattle crowd. On a third-and-1 at Seattle’s 40, Coach Kyle Shanahan opted against a quarterback sneak from Purdy that had worked on previous occasions, instead calling for a run with Christian McCaffrey, who gained nothing. On fourth down, a seemingly successful pass from Purdy to receiver Jauan Jennings was nullified by officials after a timeout was called, forcing a trick play that faltered, resulting in a turnover and allowing Seattle to extend their lead to 10-0 without the 49ers getting close again.

Most unexpected performance: The 49ers’ wide receivers were virtually absent during the game.

San Francisco had hoped that Ricky Pearsall’s return from injury would bolster their offensive performance, but Purdy found limited success against Seattle’s formidable defense, primarily using tight end Jake Tonges or McCaffrey, both struggling with injuries themselves. Pearsall was targeted only twice, failing to convert a crucial third down late in the second quarter, and the receiving corps ultimately recorded a mere three catches for 24 yards on 10 attempts, far from adequate given Kittle’s absence.

Stat to note: Seattle’s victory margin against the 49ers was remarkable, as a 35-point defeat signified the largest loss during Coach Kyle Shanahan’s tenure (since 2017) and the second-largest playoff loss in franchise history, trailing only a 49-3 defeat against the New York Giants in 1987. — Nick Wagoner

Next matchup: Week 1, 2026