If you were looking for high-stakes drama and absolute dominance, Saturday night’s NFL Divisional Round action delivered on both fronts. We saw a legendary rivalry get turned into a one-sided track meet in Seattle and a heart-pounding overtime thriller in the thin air of Denver. Honestly, if you blinked, you might have missed the Seahawks scoring their first touchdown. It was that fast.
The Seahawks Steamroll the 49ers at Lumen Field
The Seattle Seahawks didn't just win; they essentially dismantled the San Francisco 49ers in a 41-6 blowout that felt over before the stadium coffee had even cooled down. Rashid Shaheed set the tone literally thirteen seconds into the game. He fielded the opening kickoff and took it 95 yards to the house. It was the longest postseason kick return in Seahawks history and the kind of play that sucks the oxygen right out of an opposing sideline.
The 49ers, who have been battling a relentless wave of injuries all season, finally looked like they ran out of gas. George Kittle was already sidelined, and during the game, Christian McCaffrey was clearly hampered by a stinger. Brock Purdy spent most of the night running for his life against Mike Macdonald’s defense, which has now held San Francisco without a touchdown for eight straight quarters. That's two full games of total defensive lockdown.
Kenneth Walker III Joins the Record Books
While the defense was suffocating Purdy, Kenneth Walker III was busy rewriting the franchise record books. He finished with 116 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. To put that in perspective, he joined the legendary Shaun Alexander as the only Seahawks ever to rush for three scores in a playoff game.
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The offensive line was moving bodies. Walker was hitting holes with a 63.2% success rate. Even Sam Darnold, playing through an oblique injury, looked sharp when he needed to be. He wasn't asked to carry the load, but he finished 12 of 17 for 124 yards and a touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. It was a complete, three-phase victory that sends the top-seeded Seahawks to the NFC Championship Game.
Denver Broncos Win an Overtime Thriller Against Buffalo
Over in the AFC, things were much tighter. The Denver Broncos outlasted the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 overtime victory that had Empower Field at Mile High shaking. This wasn't just a win; it was the snapping of a nine-season playoff drought for the Broncos. It was their first postseason victory since they won Super Bowl 50 back in 2015.
Bo Nix had a rollercoaster of a night. He started hot, went through a major second-half lull where the Broncos' 13-point lead evaporated, and then found his groove when it mattered most. He led a clutch 73-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, capped by a 26-yard touchdown strike to Marvin Mims Jr.
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The Bills, led by Josh Allen, refused to go quietly. A wild lateral play from Khalil Shakir to Ray Davis helped set up a 50-yard field goal from Matt Prater to force overtime. But in the extra period, Denver’s defense stepped up. Ja'Quan McMillian intercepted Allen, and eventually, Wil Lutz drilled the game-winning field goal.
The Cost of Victory: Bo Nix Injury News
There is a massive cloud hanging over Denver’s celebration, though. Sean Payton dropped a bombshell after the game: Bo Nix broke his ankle in overtime. It is a devastating blow for a team that has leaned so heavily on their rookie-contract quarterback. Jarrett Stidham is now slated to start the AFC Championship Game.
Buffalo's season ends in heartbreak despite Josh Allen's 283 yards and three touchdowns. They dominated possession for nearly 41 minutes but two interceptions and a lost fumble proved too much to overcome against a Denver team that has specialized in winning one-score games all year.
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Who Won the NFL Last Night: Key Stats and Takeaways
If you’re catching up on the scores this morning, here is the basic rundown of what went down on Saturday, January 17, 2026:
- Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6: Seattle advances to the NFC Championship. Kenneth Walker III had 3 TDs; Rashid Shaheed had a 95-yard KR TD.
- Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30 (OT): Denver advances to the AFC Championship. Wil Lutz kicked the game-winner after a Ja'Quan McMillian INT.
- Injury Alert: Denver QB Bo Nix is out for the season with a broken ankle; Sam Darnold (Seattle) is managing an oblique issue but finished the game.
- Historical Note: This was Denver's first playoff win in a decade and Seattle's most dominant playoff win against a divisional rival.
What Happens Next in the Playoffs?
The Seahawks are heading to the NFC Championship Game on January 25, where they will wait to see who wins the remaining matchups. They have the look of a team that is peaking at the exact right moment, especially with a defense that hasn't allowed a touchdown in two weeks.
Denver has a much tougher road. Heading into the AFC Championship without Bo Nix is a nightmare scenario for Sean Payton. They’ve proven they can win ugly and win close, but asking Jarrett Stidham to lead them to a Super Bowl is a tall order.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the injury reports for the remaining Divisional Round games today to see how the bracket might shift.
- If you're a Broncos fan, keep an eye on the waiver wire or practice squad elevations to see how they depth-chart the QB position behind Stidham.
- Review the betting lines for the Championship Round; the Seahawks will likely open as significant favorites regardless of their opponent given their current defensive form.