Well that was straightforward, wasn’t it?
The Seattle Seahawks destroyed the San Francisco 49ers from the opening kickoff till the ultimate whistle. A 41-6 thumping unlike anything Kyle Shanahan has ever skilled in 9 seasons as 49ers head coach. Seattle hadn’t gained a playoff recreation because the 2019 season, hadn’t gained a house playoff recreation because the 2016 season, hadn’t overwhelmed the 49ers at house since 2021, and ended all of these droughts in essentially the most lovely means attainable.
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It’s time for Winners and Losers!
Seattle Seahawks Winners
Kenneth Walker III has the best night time of his profession
With Zach Charbonnet injured within the first half, it was undoubtedly Kenneth Walker as the highest working again. He delivered and then some with 145 yards of whole offense, 119 on the bottom, and three touchdowns. Walker was hitting holes with conviction, discovering his cutback lanes, working by way of tacklers, and showcasing the velocity he wowed everybody with at Michigan State and in his rookie yr in Seattle.
I’m so comfortable for K9. Frustrations and all along with his accidents and performances over the previous two seasons, he’s taking part in the very best soccer of his profession.
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Sam Darnold fights by way of harm, will get his playoff win
No, Darnold didn’t have some form of monster recreation. He didn’t must. Darnold was 12/17 for 124 yards and a landing, with a number of well timed throws on third down and that clutch 2nd and 20 lofted move to Cooper Kupp within the first quarter. I’m certain Darnold not placing up gaudy stats will do nothing to quell the doubters about his “big game” skills, however who cares? No turnovers, correct throws, and taking part in inside himself whereas battling by way of an indirect harm.
Good for Sam to get his first playoff win, and now he has a working recreation to alleviate a number of the stress off of him and the passing assault as a complete.
Playoff Cooper Kupp logs again on
Hey, Cooper Kupp nonetheless has extra left within the tank! Who would’ve guessed he would lead all receivers in yards with 60? His 5 catches was his most because the Indianapolis Colts recreation and the 60 yards was essentially the most because the Arizona Cardinals blowout. If the Seahawks can get this model of Kupp the rest of the playoffs, then be careful.
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Rashid Shaheed units the tone early
That’s immediately one of the iconic performs in Seahawks historical past. Opening kickoff to the home to brought about the Rashidquake? That’s three particular groups touchdowns since coming to Seattle, which is outstanding. Then he has that 30-yard run proper earlier than halftime that helps Seattle get that back-breaking landing. Even with out being an influence participant as a receiver, he’s nonetheless an influence participant.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba will get his first landing in opposition to the 49ers
If I had been to inform you the Seahawks would win 41-6 and JSN had three catches for 19 yards, you’d suppose I’d be mendacity by way of my tooth. He obtained his first profession TD in opposition to San Francisco, and Deommodore Lenoir can go headbutt someone else in Cancun.
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MORE BOBO?!
Okay, only one little bit of Jake Bobo as a receiver. For a man who had extra penalties than catches on the yr and a number of wholesome scratches, he picked a hell of a time to indicate up as a receiving choice once more. Darnold transformed a crucial third and 10 on a slant to Bobo simply earlier than halftime, turning a 17-6 recreation and a probable discipline objective try to a 24-6 rout. Don’t overlook the significance of that play.
The Seahawks offensive line kicks ass once more
John Benton, take a bow. The move safety wasn’t superb, however the run blocking was a factor of magnificence to observe. It was bullyball at its most interesting. Kenneth Walker had dashing lanes, Zach Charbonnet hit one explosive earlier than his harm, and Rashid Shaheed had a convoy on his 30-yard run. After years of getting thrashed by the 49ers within the run recreation on offense and protection, Seattle’s dashing assault dropped one other 175 yards on the bottom. This unis is gelling on the excellent time, and I’ve to shout out the non-OL gamers like A.J. Barner, Robbie Ouzts, and Eric Saubert for his or her contributions.
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And how about Amari Kight? Key block on the second Walker TD whereas filling in for the injured Charles Cross. Jalen Sundell climbing to the second degree and smashing folks. Anthony Bradford had one missed block on a third and 1 and didn’t actually have any points the rest of the night time. It was the kind of soccer Mike Macdonald envisioned and what we’ve missed seeing for years now.
Klint Kubiak wasn’t distracted by the top coach curiosity
The Seahawks offense completed their rattling drives. How about 4-of-6 within the purple zone? There had been few playcalls you could possibly actually complain about or query on an evening when the Seahawks did no matter they needed to the Niners protection. And with Kevin Stefanski going to the Atlanta Falcons, I believe Kubiak’s possibilities of staying in Seattle have gone up.
Ernest Jones IV is my hero
An interception and a compelled fumble = two turnovers generated by Seattle’s famous person center linebacker. In 2005, it was Lofa Tatupu. In 2013-2014, it was Bobby Wagner. In 2025, it’s Ernest Jones IV. He’s the pure successor on the place for Seattle’s all-time nice groups, and it’s a pleasure to observe him play.
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DeMarcus Lawrence was a clutch signing by John Schneider
Every week it looks like Tank Lawrence finds a approach to flip again the clock. He virtually had a strip-sack (and due to this fact Nick Emmanwori virtually had a fumble return TD) on the 49ers’ first offensive play. Lawrence had an precise strip-sack and Emmanwori was there for the restoration in what was kind of rubbish time. He additionally snuffed out that 4th down choice play with Kyle Juszczyk and continues to supply extra move rush than I’d anticipated.
Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy are the very best inside DL pair within the NFL
How the hell do you block each of those guys constantly over 60 minutes? Trick query; you possibly can’t do it. Williams had the sack on 4th down to start out the second half, whereas Murphy was all over the place with pressures and phenomenal run protection.
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The secondary was barely mentioned, which is an effective factor
San Francisco obtained Ricky Pearsall again. Did he make a distinction? Is 0 catches on 2 targets making a distinction? He obtained some cardio in, which is nice for somebody returning from harm. San Francisco’s receivers caught a mixed three passes for twenty-four yards on the night time. Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Coby Bryant, Julian Love, and Josh Jobe had been doing their factor. When Purdy had time, nobody was open.
Mike Macdonald had the group prepared
I don’t need this to be seen as beating up on Pete Carroll, however it doesn’t take an excessive amount of to have a look at the archives of Pete’s playoff video games and see the Seahawks usually trailing by double digits within the first half. It occurred even in a few the wins, too. Ironically, the Pete masterpiece was Super Bowl 48 by which they stepped on the gasoline and went to fifth gear immediately, and tonight was harking back to that efficiency.
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Coach Macdonald had the Seahawks raring to go in each which means attainable. There was no rust, there was no dysfunction, there was simply clear soccer throughout the board. Seattle solely dedicated two penalties, had no turnovers in consecutive video games for the primary time in his younger teaching tenure, and only a few busted assignments on both offense or protection. What extra are you able to ask for? Macdonald has greater than earned his stripes as a prime coach who’s solely getting higher.
Seattle Seahawks Losers
No one will get the loser designation
Come on, man! It’s 41-6 in opposition to a hated rival. I’m not calling for any negativity this night.
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Final Notes
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Nick Emmanwori was getting picked on a bit within the first half in protection, shedding his tasks on Jake Tonges and out within the flat. And but, he nonetheless had a fumble restoration and broke up a Hail Mary landing on the finish of the half.
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Jason Myers eased any worries a couple of attainable droop after his brutal Week 18 exhibiting. Michael Dickson was his normal implausible self on punt duties.
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See? We did see Drew Lock, in any case.
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Hopefully Zach Charbonnet and Charles Cross are alright after their respective accidents. Those had been the one true downer moments all night.
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One extra win from reaching the Super Bowl. Bears, Rams, it doesn’t matter. They’re on the cusp, which is unimaginable to consider given even essentially the most optimistic fan would’ve been proud of attending to the playoffs and possibly attending to the Divisional Round. Of course I would like the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl, however getting the 49ers out of the way in which was a non-negotiable to me.
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Enemy Reaction is approaching Monday. That means we may doubtlessly get a Rams meltdown in there, as effectively. Whether the Rams win or lose, the 49ers followers is not going to be spared given the entire obnoxiousness from this week. Be affected person, my pals!