Seahawks crush 49ers: Darnold leads Playoff victory with explosive offense

Seattle Crushes 49ers in Dominant Playoff Game

Sam Darnold’s oblique injury became the main topic before Seattle’s playoff matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. However, it quickly took a backseat, overshadowed by an outstanding performance by the Seahawks in all facets of the game. Rashid Shaheed ignited the atmosphere with a touchdown on the kickoff return, kicking off a resounding 41-6 victory over their divisional rivals at Lumen Field. Seattle took a 17-0 lead and never looked back, with a dominant defense and a ground attack led by Kenneth Walker III.

Probably the most complete game we have played so far.

Mike Macdonald

The Seahawks handed the 49ers their most lopsided defeat in the Kyle Shanahan era, marking the third-largest victory by a coach in their playoff debut in NFL history for Mike Macdonald, who replaced Pete Carroll in 2024. The atmosphere in the stadium was electrifying, especially after Shaheed’s touchdown on the first kickoff. Darnold, who secured his first playoff victory in an eight-year career, highlighted the importance of teamwork and the support of the fans.

It was a great win for the team from the first moment.

Sam Darnold

Darnold, despite the injury, played without problems, completing 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating that the injury did not prevent him from performing at the highest level.

Darnold expressed feeling well throughout the game, minimizing the impact of his injury. His performance was key, and coach Macdonald praised his ability to “manage” the game, highlighting his precision and ball security. The Seattle defense, led by Ernest Jones IV, forced three turnovers and consistently pressured 49ers quarterback Purdy, who suffered the most pressure of his career. The Seahawks’ ground attack, led by Walker, was relentless, accumulating more than 160 yards for the fourth consecutive game. Walker ran for 116 yards and the team demonstrated great efficiency in the running game. Despite injuries to Charles Cross and Zach Charbonnet, the team achieved a historic victory, matching their largest margin in a playoff game. With one more home win, Seattle could aim for their second Lombardi trophy.

It was a great victory, we are very proud of the effort and the players know that there is still a mission to accomplish.

Mike Macdonald