Kenneth Walker III runs riot as Seahawks maul 49ers to reach NFC title game | NFL
Rashid Shaheed returned the kickoff for a touchdown, Kenneth Walker III rushed for three scores and the Seattle Seahawks advanced to the NFC Championship Game with a dominant 41-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night.
Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass and earned his first career playoff victory in his first season with the Seahawks (15-3), who will host either the Chicago Bears or Los Angeles Rams next Sunday with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
“Really proud to be a part of this team and this organization,” Darnold said.
The Seahawks led 7-0 13 seconds into the game thanks to Shaheed, who fielded the opening kick and carried it 95 yards into the end zone. It was the fourth kickoff return for a touchdown to open a playoff game since 2000 and the longest playoff kickoff return in franchise history.
Darnold, who had been listed as questionable due to an oblique injury, guided the Seahawks to two more goals before San Francisco got on the board with the first of its two field goals.
After missing his playoff debut last season with the Minnesota Vikings by taking nine sacks in a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Darnold completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown in the star receiver’s playoff debut.
The 49ers (13-6) were never competitive in the second-most lopsided playoff loss in franchise history. San Francisco lost 49-3 to the New York Giants in the divisional round of the 1986 season.
The Niners were missing three injured All-Pros: tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa.
San Francisco’s Brock Purdy completed 15 of 27 passes for 140 yards with an interception and a lost fumble against the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense. Seattle also recovered a fumble from tight end Jake Tonges.
“They’re unbelievable. They stepped up every game for us,” Darnold said. “I can’t say enough good things about this defense. It was tough in training camp and the OTAs were going against them. But I’m glad they’re on our side.”
Walker’s three rushing touchdowns tied him with Shaun Alexander for the most playoff games in franchise history.
