The Seattle Seahawks got off to a flying start against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night, with wide receiver Rashid Shaheed returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to give the top-seeded home team an early advantage in their NFC Divisional Round playoff battle.
The play came just 13 seconds into the game at Lumen Field in Seattle, where the Seahawks (14-3) were hosting the 49ers (13-5) in what marked the second matchup between the NFC West rivals in three weeks. Shaheed's explosive return, followed by Jason Myers' successful extra point, gave Seattle a 7-0 lead before the 49ers could even run an offensive play.
Background
The Seahawks earned the top seed in the NFC after a dominant regular season that saw them win seven straight games to finish with a franchise-record 14 victories. Seattle's defense has been the backbone of their success all season, allowing just 292 points—the least of any defense in the league. The team's dominance against San Francisco was evident in their previous matchup on January 3, when they crushed the 49ers 13-3 in a game that represented the lowest-scoring output for San Francisco since a 23-3 loss to Carolina in 2017.
The 49ers, meanwhile, arrived in Seattle battle-tested but worn down by injuries. They lost two of their best defensive players during the season and have been leaning heavily on their offense to carry them through the playoffs. Running back Christian McCaffrey has been a workhorse, accumulating 2,126 combined rushing and receiving yards. However, the team suffered another blow when tight end George Kittle sustained a torn Achilles during their wild-card victory against Philadelphia.
Key Details
The Seahawks entered Saturday's game with momentum on their side. Quarterback Sam Darnold, who had been listed as questionable due to an oblique injury suffered in practice Thursday, was cleared to play. Both Darnold and head coach Mike Macdonald expressed confidence that the quarterback would be able to suit up against San Francisco.
Seattle's defense had already proven its superiority in the head-to-head matchup. In their two games against the 49ers this season, the Seahawks' defense allowed just 20 combined points. This defensive prowess, combined with a respectable offensive performance, has made Seattle a formidable opponent.
The Kickoff Return Spark
Shaheed's 95-yard kickoff return touchdown was precisely the kind of explosive play that can shift momentum in playoff football. The score came on a play that covered nearly the entire field, with the 49ers unable to make a tackle in space. A penalty on San Francisco kicker Evan Pineiro for tripping was enforced between downs, but it came after the touchdown had already been recorded.
This early strike put the 49ers in an immediate hole and forced them to play catch-up football from the opening moments. In playoff games, especially divisional matchups, starting strong is important for establishing control.
What This Means
The Seahawks' victory advances them to the NFC Championship Game, which is scheduled for Sunday, January 25 at 3:30 p.m. PST. The winner of that game will advance to the Super Bowl, giving Seattle a chance at its fourth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
For Seattle, the win validated their regular-season dominance and their claim to being the NFC's top team. The Seahawks will have earned the right to host the championship game, giving them a significant advantage as they push toward the Super Bowl.
"You're really going off how you felt like you played the game, things you did well, maybe where you think they might take things," Macdonald said of the matchup preparation.
The 49ers, despite their strong regular season and wild-card victory, now face elimination. San Francisco had been in a difficult situation heading into Saturday, having played their final two regular-season games with less rest than normal, including the Week 18 loss to Seattle. They came into the divisional round still recovering from that short turnaround, while the Seahawks had a full week to prepare.
This was Seattle's first home playoff game since losing to the Los Angeles Rams 30-20 in the wild-card round of 2020, and the first playoff game at Lumen Field with fans since 2016. The home crowd and the Seahawks' defensive dominance proved to be a powerful combination.
The loss eliminates San Francisco from playoff contention, ending their season despite a respectable 13-5 regular-season record. The 49ers will spend the offseason dealing with their injury situation and evaluating how to compete with a Seahawks team that appears to have hit its stride at exactly the right time.
