If you're frantically checking your phone to see whats the score of the Seahawks game, here is the short version: it was a bloodbath. The Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantled the San Francisco 49ers with a final score of 41-6.
This wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Playing at Lumen Field on Saturday night, January 17, 2026, the top-seeded Seahawks proved why they earned that first-round bye. They didn't just beat their division rivals—they embarrassed them.
The energy in Seattle is electric right now. Honestly, it felt like a throwback to the "Legion of Boom" era. From the very first whistle, the 49ers looked like they were playing on ice while Seattle was on a mission.
The Play That Changed Everything Immediately
You've probably seen the highlights already, but the game was basically over before some fans even found their seats. Rashid Shaheed, the All-Pro return man the Hawks picked up mid-season, took the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house.
7-0 in just 13 seconds.
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That set the tone. It’s hard to recover when you're down a touchdown before your offense even touches the grass. San Francisco looked rattled, and the "12th Man" crowd was so loud the broadcast booth had trouble being heard.
Why the Seahawks Offense Was Unstoppable
Even though Sam Darnold was nursing an oblique injury, he played like a man possessed. He didn't have to throw for 400 yards because the run game was so efficient. Kenneth Walker III was the star of the show.
Walker finished the night with three rushing touchdowns and 145 total yards. He was hitting holes so fast the Niners' linebackers were essentially tackling air. By the time it was 17-0 at the end of the first quarter, you could see the 49ers players looking at the sideline for answers that weren't coming.
- Kenneth Walker III: 116 rushing yards, 3 TDs.
- Sam Darnold: 12 of 17 for 124 yards, 1 TD.
- Rashid Shaheed: 95-yard kick return TD.
Darnold’s lone touchdown pass was a beautiful 4-yard dart to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. It’s kinda scary how many weapons this team has right now. Even Cooper Kupp, who they added to bolster the veteran presence, contributed a massive 20-yard catch on a crucial third down when Darnold was limping.
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A Defensive Masterclass at Lumen Field
If you're wondering how a team like San Francisco only scored six points, look at the turnovers. The Seahawks defense forced three of them.
Brock Purdy was under siege all night. He was sacked twice, but that doesn't tell the whole story. He was flushed out of the pocket on nearly every third down. Ernest Jones IV was everywhere—he forced a fumble early on and grabbed an interception in the third quarter that basically sealed the deal.
Christian McCaffrey tried to keep the Niners in it, but a stinger in the second quarter slowed him down significantly. He finished with only 74 total yards. When CMC isn't producing, that San Francisco offense becomes one-dimensional, and Mike Macdonald’s defense smells blood in the water.
Breaking Down the 41-6 Scoreline
The scoring was relentless. Seattle led 24-6 at halftime and then outscored the Niners 17-0 in the second half. By the middle of the fourth quarter, both teams were pulling their starters. It was the kind of game where you start seeing the backup quarterback (Drew Lock) just handing the ball off to burn the clock.
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Interestingly, this 35-point margin ties the franchise record for the most lopsided playoff victory. The last time they did this? Super Bowl XLVIII against Denver. Fans are starting to whisper about another ring, and honestly, can you blame them?
What Happens Next for the Seahawks?
The win sends Seattle directly to the NFC Championship Game.
They will host the game at Lumen Field on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Their opponent is still being decided; they will play the winner of the Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears matchup. Because Seattle is the No. 1 seed, the road to the Super Bowl officially runs through the Pacific Northwest.
If you’re planning on going, expect ticket prices to skyrocket. The city is buzzing.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Sam Darnold's oblique and Charles Cross's foot injury. Both are key to a Super Bowl run.
- Set Your Calendar: The NFC Championship kicks off at 3:30 PM PST (6:30 PM EST) next Sunday on FOX.
- Gear Up: If you're heading to Lumen Field, the forecast is already looking chilly—layers are your friend.
- Watch the Bracket: Keep an eye on the Rams-Bears game tonight to see who the Seahawks will have to jump over to get to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX.
The 49ers are heading home to "heal and reload," but for Seattle, the party is just getting started. The dominance shown in this divisional round suggests that whoever comes to town next week is going to have a very long afternoon.