Seahawks bulldoze 49ers 41-6 to reach NFC title game

Rashid Shaheed's 95-yard kickoff return on the game's first play set the tone for a rout that left the San Francisco 49ers stunned and the Seattle Seahawks marching back toward title contention. Seattle dominated all three phases in a 41-6 victory at Lumen Field, turning home-field advantage into a showcase of physicality, discipline and situational excellence that will send the No. 1 seed to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2015.

The game quickly became a template for complementary football. Shaheed’s opening flourish energized a Seahawks team that then leaned on a powerful rushing attack and an opportunistic defense. Kenneth Walker III carried 19 times for 116 yards and three touchdowns, while adding three catches for 29 yards, and Zach Charbonnet provided support on short-yardage looks. Sam Darnold, playing through an oblique injury that had left him questionable, completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown and summed up his night succinctly: "It felt good."

Seattle converted seven of 10 possessions into scores, controlling tempo with a 31:11 time of possession and forcing the 49ers into short fields and limited opportunities. The defense repeatedly rose on third and fourth down, registering four fourth-down stops and three takeaways that derailed San Francisco drives and denied any rhythm. Those takeaways included forced fumbles by Ernest Jones IV and DeMarcus Lawrence and an interception credited to Jones, all contributing to a season-low six points for the 49ers.

Mike Macdonald, Seattle’s defensive coordinator, called it “probably the most complementary game we’ve played up to this point,” reflecting how special teams, run game and defensive aggression combined to neutralize a talented divisional rival. The Seahawks finished with 175 rushing yards and only two penalties for five yards, a sign of disciplined execution under playoff pressure. San Francisco managed 236 total yards, 15 first downs and 108 rushing yards but could not convert opportunities into points.

Beyond the box score, the victory carries broader significance for the franchise and the region. Hosting the NFC Championship at Lumen Field next week will provide a substantial economic lift to local businesses in hospitality and retail as fans flock back downtown, and it revives the Seahawks’ brand at a national level after a dominant regular season (14-3) finally translated into the emphatic playoff performance many expected. The stylistic choices on display — a return to downhill rushing and special-teams impact paired with aggressive fourth-down defense — reflect leaguewide trends favoring multi-dimensional rosters built for situational advantages rather than pure aerial fireworks.

Seattle’s balance also raises coaching and personnel questions around the NFC. The Seahawks will await the winner of Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears, who now face the daunting prospect of top-seeded, well-rested Seattle in hostile conditions. For the 49ers, the loss exposes vulnerabilities in finishing drives and protecting possession in hostile environments. For Seattle, the message is clear: when special teams, defense and a physical run game align, the franchise looks like a contender again — and a city that lives and breathes its team is ready to welcome a return to the league’s biggest stage.