Seahawks Dominate 49ers In Record-Setting Playoff Rout

On a chilly Saturday evening at Lumen Field, the Seattle Seahawks delivered a performance for the ages, steamrolling the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 in the NFC Divisional Round. In front of a raucous home crowd, the Seahawks flexed their muscles in all three phases of the game, leaving little doubt about their Super Bowl aspirations and sending a battered 49ers squad into the offseason.

Right from the opening whistle, Seattle made its intentions clear. Rashid Shaheed electrified the stadium by returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown—an early jolt that set the tone for what would become a lopsided affair. Special teams had been a strength for the Seahawks all season, but few could've predicted such an explosive start against a familiar division rival.

Jason Myers tacked on two field goals, and before the first quarter was even in the books, the Seahawks had already seized control. The defense, ranked among the NFL’s best, wasted no time in making life miserable for San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy. Seattle’s relentless pass rush pressured Purdy on a staggering 19 of his 33 dropbacks—good for a 58% pressure rate, the highest he’s faced in his career. The result? Purdy managed just 74 passing yards on 6-of-14 attempts when under duress, threw an interception, was sacked twice, and lost a fumble.

"We just wanted to come out and play our brand of football," said Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald after the game. "All season, we’ve talked about being complete in every phase. Tonight, these guys showed what that looks like."

Seattle’s defense forced three takeaways and three more turnovers on downs, holding the 49ers to just a pair of field goals. The 35-point margin of victory wasn’t just eye-popping—it was historic. It marked the largest defeat for San Francisco in the Kyle Shanahan era and the second-largest playoff loss in franchise history, trailing only a 46-point drubbing at the hands of the New York Giants in 1987.

On the offensive side, the Seahawks were methodical and efficient. Kenneth Walker III spearheaded the ground attack, rumbling for 116 yards on 19 carries and punching in three rushing touchdowns. It was Seattle’s fourth consecutive game with at least 160 rushing yards—a testament to the team’s commitment to the run and the effectiveness of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s scheme. Walker’s performance was especially crucial after fellow back Zach Charbonnet exited in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return. Macdonald offered a glimmer of hope regarding Charbonnet’s status, noting, "Optimistic with Charbs. We’ve got to get it imaged and stuff, but early indications are hopefully it’s OK structurally."

Seattle’s offensive line suffered a blow when left tackle Charles Cross left the game in the third quarter with a foot injury. Macdonald explained, "We pulled Cross out of caution with the victory in hand, but still we’re going to have to work through it with his foot. I don’t have an indication on what that’s going to look like." With the NFC Championship on the horizon, the health of key contributors will be a storyline to watch.

Quarterback Sam Darnold, who had suffered an oblique injury in practice just two days prior, managed the game with poise and efficiency. He didn’t even take the field until about 45 minutes before kickoff, sticking to an altered pregame routine. But once the action started, Darnold showed little sign of discomfort. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards, including a touchdown strike to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, before being pulled with nine minutes remaining and the Seahawks holding a commanding lead. Darnold’s lone risky throw was ultimately harmless, and his ability to avoid mistakes helped keep the offense humming.

"Sam’s a competitor," said Macdonald. "He didn’t try to be the hero tonight—he just made the right plays and let his teammates shine." Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks’ top receiver all season, added another highlight to his resume, continuing a campaign in which he’s amassed 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

The turning point in the contest came early. After Shaheed’s kickoff return, the 49ers attempted to answer with a promising drive. Facing third-and-1 at Seattle’s 40-yard line, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan opted against the usual Brock Purdy quarterback sneak, instead calling a run for Christian McCaffrey that was stuffed for no gain. On fourth down, a gadget play involving fullback Kyle Juszczyk and McCaffrey ended in disaster, with a late pitch sailing out of bounds. Seattle took over and added a field goal, pushing the lead to 10-0. The 49ers never threatened again.

San Francisco’s offense sputtered throughout the night. Injuries to key starters—Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and George Kittle—left the unit undermanned. Rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall, returning from knee and ankle injuries, was unable to provide the spark the team desperately needed. The 49ers’ wideouts collectively managed just three catches for 24 yards on 10 targets, while tight end Jake Tonges and McCaffrey were the only consistent options for Purdy. By early in the third quarter, even those outlets were hampered by injuries.

For the 49ers, the loss capped a season that began with promise and resilience. Despite a 13-win campaign and a trip to the NFC’s final four, the team’s injury woes and lack of depth were exposed by a deeper, healthier Seahawks squad. Shanahan will face pressing questions in the offseason, from shoring up the pass rush and secondary to possibly replacing defensive coordinator Robert Saleh if he departs for another head coaching job.

Looking ahead, the Seahawks will host the winner of the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game on January 25. With momentum on their side, a top-ranked defense, and a surging ground game, Seattle appears poised for a legitimate Super Bowl run—provided they can stay healthy.

As for the 49ers, the sting of such a lopsided playoff defeat will linger, but the foundation remains strong. Once the dust settles, there’s plenty of talent and resolve to build upon for next season. But on this night, the Seahawks left no doubt: the road to the Super Bowl runs through Seattle.