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Seahawks Dominate 49ers 41-6, Secure Spot in NFC Championship
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Seahawks delivered a stunning performance Saturday, crushing their NFC West rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, with a decisive 41-6 victory. This dominant win propels the Seahawks to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2014, where they will host the winner of Sunday’s Rams-Bears matchup.
The party started early for the Seahawks, with Rashid Shaheed returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. This marked Shaheed’s third return for a touchdown since joining the team from New Orleans on November 4th, showcasing his immediate impact.
Seattle’s momentum continued throughout the game, establishing a commanding 24-6 lead by halftime and extending it to 34-6 after three quarters. The 49ers struggled to find an answer for the Seahawks’ relentless attack and stifling defense.
Running back Kenneth Walker was a key offensive force, scoring three touchdowns on runs of 7, 15, and 6 yards. Walker stepped up significantly after Zach Charbonnet sustained a knee injury in the second quarter, finishing the game with 19 carries for 116 yards and three catches for 29 yards.
The Seahawks’ top-ranked scoring defense held the 49ers to a mere six points, forced three turnovers, and recorded two sacks. DeMarcus Lawrence was a standout on defense, tallying a sack, two forced fumbles, and three tackles.
Ernest Jones also made a significant contribution with six tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. Leonard Williams added a crucial fourth-down sack of Brock Purdy.
The 49ers, who were coming off a victory against the Eagles, found themselves in an uphill battle. This game marked a stark contrast to their previous encounters this season; while the 49ers bested Seattle 17-13 in Week 1, the Seahawks secured a 13-3 victory over San Francisco in Week 18, earning them a bye week and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Seattle exploded for 17 points in the first quarter Saturday, setting the tone for the entire game. Despite being outgained slightly in total yards (281 to 236), the Seahawks capitalized on their opportunities. The 49ers punted only once but turned the ball over on downs three times in addition to their turnovers.
For the 49ers, quarterback Sam Darnold, who was questionable due to an oblique injury, completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. Cooper Kupp led the receiving corps with five catches for 60 yards, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba hauled in three passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, playing without tight end George Kittle, went 15-of-27 for 140 yards, throwing an interception and losing a fumble. He also added 37 rushing yards on five carries. Christian McCaffrey, who sustained a stinger at the end of the first half, had 11 carries for 35 yards and caught five passes for 39 yards.