Lumen Field was literally shaking. You could feel it in the press box, a rhythmic, violent thrumming that usually means the 12s have found something to scream about. This time, they had plenty of reason. The final score 49ers vs seahawks of 41-6 wasn't just a win for Seattle; it was a total demolition of a divisional rival in the NFC Divisional Round.
Honestly, the game was over before most people even sat down with their first beer.
How the 41-6 Blowout Happened
It started with Rashid Shaheed. The man is electric. 13 seconds into the game, he took the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house. That single play turned the stadium into a pressure cooker.
San Francisco looked shell-shocked.
They tried to answer back immediately. Kyle Shanahan, usually a master of the script, went for it on 4th-and-1 near midfield on the very next drive. DeMarcus Lawrence, playing like a man possessed, blew the play up. Turnover on downs.
The momentum didn't just shift; it evaporated for the 49ers.
Seattle’s Defensive "Dark Side"
By the time Sam Darnold—who, let’s be real, has had a career renaissance in Seattle—found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 4-yard score, it was 17-0. This all happened in the first quarter.
The Seahawks' defense, self-nicknamed the "Dark Side," was relentless.
- Brock Purdy finished 15-of-27 for 140 yards.
- He turned the ball over twice (one pick, one fumble).
- The Niners were held to a season-low 6 points.
Kenneth Walker III was the hammer. He finished with three rushing touchdowns, tying Shaun Alexander’s franchise playoff record. Every time he hit the line of scrimmage, he seemed to fall forward for six yards. By the fourth quarter, you could see the 49ers' defenders breathing heavy, slow to get off the turf. Walker even admitted after the game that he could tell they were demoralized.
What the Score 49ers vs Seahawks Means for the Rivalry
This wasn't just a regular season fluke. These two teams met three times this year. The 49ers won the first one 17-13 back in Week 1. Then Seattle took Week 18 (13-3) and this playoff game.
Total points for the 49ers across those three games? 26.
That ties an NFL record for the fewest points scored by a team in a three-game season series against a single opponent. It’s a staggering stat for an offense that usually hums like a Ferrari.
The Injuries That Mattered
Christian McCaffrey tried to go. He really did. He suffered a stinger in the second quarter, vanished into the blue medical tent, and actually came back for a bit in the third. But by the time the score hit 31-6, Shanahan pulled the plug.
The Niners were also missing George Kittle, and you could see the void in the middle of the field. Without that safety valve, Purdy was forced to scramble into the waiting arms of Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence.
📖 Related: Miami Dolphins Patriots Score: What Really Happened at Gillette Stadium
Why Seattle is the New NFC Favorite
Mike Macdonald has built something terrifying in the Pacific Northwest.
The Seahawks are now 15-3 and heading to the NFC Championship. They’ll host the winner of the Bears and Rams. If they play like they did on Saturday night—complementary football where special teams, defense, and the run game all click—they look unbeatable at home.
For the 49ers, this is the second-worst playoff loss in their storied history. Only a 49-3 drubbing by the Giants back in the day was worse.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're tracking the aftermath of this score 49ers vs seahawks, keep an eye on these specific developments:
- Check the Injury Report: Monitor Christian McCaffrey’s stinger recovery. While the season is over for SF, this kind of nerve injury can impact off-season training.
- Watch the Coaching Carousel: Expect heavy interest in Seattle’s defensive assistants. When you hold Kyle Shanahan to 6 points, people notice.
- Review the Film: If you have NFL+, go back and watch the first quarter. The way Seattle used crowd noise to disrupt the Niners' 4th-down communication is a masterclass in home-field advantage.
- Prepare for the NFC Championship: Secure your tickets or viewing plans now; Lumen Field is officially the loudest place in the NFL again, and that won't change next Sunday.