Double K’s NFL Game Review:(San Francisco 49ers (13-6) vs Seattle Seahawks (15-3))
Here’s a full review of the San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks game from January 17, 2026 — an NFC Divisional Round playoff matchup that ended in a blowout:
📊 Final Score
Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6
🏈 Game Flow & Key Plays
Explosive Start
- Rashid Shaheed electrified the crowd by returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown — one of the fastest scores you’ll ever see, happening just about 13 seconds into the game. (New York Post)
Seahawks Build the Lead
- Seattle added a field goal and Sam Darnold hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown, building a 17–0 lead in the first quarter. (New York Post)
Dominant Defense
- The Seahawks defense was outstanding, forcing multiple turnovers, stopping three fourth-down attempts, and holding the 49ers out of the end zone entirely. (Reuters)
Running Game Takes Over
- Kenneth Walker III was the workhorse, finishing with 116 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, helping Seattle control both clock and momentum. (Reuters)
Minimal 49ers Offense
- San Francisco managed only two field goals and never crossed the goal line. Christian McCaffrey was limited, and Brock Purdy struggled against Seattle’s defensive pressure. (NBC Sports Bay Area)
📌 Statistical Highlights
- Seahawks total dominance: 41 points to 6, tie for one of the biggest division rivalry playoff wins in the Super Bowl era. (SI)
- Darnold passed for ~124 yards and 1 TD while playing through an oblique concern. (ESPN)
- Purdy went 15/27 for ~140 yards, with an interception and a lost fumble. (NBC Sports Bay Area)
🧠 What This Means
For the Seahawks
✔️ Advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2014. (Reuters)
✔️ Defense and special teams delivered huge momentum-shifting plays. (New York Post)
For the 49ers
❌ Season ends with a disappointing and lopsided loss. (San Francisco Chronicle)
❌ Injuries and lack of explosive plays severely limited offensive output. (Covers.com)
❌ Questions linger about execution against elite defenses.
🔥 Quick Takeaways
- Opening kickoff TD set the tone instantly. (New York Post)
- Seattle’s defense and run game were far superior. (Reuters)
- 49ers offense never really threatened, capped at 6 points. (NBC Sports Bay Area)
- Seahawks look like a legitimate threat in the NFC going forward. (Reuters)