Seahawks rout 49ers 41-6, advance to first NFC title game since 2014

Cbssports reports the Seattle Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 at Lumen Field on Jan. 17, 2026, winning an NFC divisional-round game to advance to the NFC Championship. The 35-point margin tied the largest playoff victory in franchise history, matching the 43-8 result in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Seattle opened with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown by Pro Bowl returner Rashid Shaheed, the NFL playoffs' first kickoff-return TD since 2016 and the Seahawks' third in playoff history. Linebacker Ernest Jones forced a fumble on tight end Jake Tonges that Julian Love recovered, Jones later intercepted Brock Purdy, and DeMarcus Lawrence added a strip-sack recovered by safety Nick Emmanwori. Sam Darnold completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, and Kenneth Walker III rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns, joining Shaun Alexander as the only Seahawks with at least three rushing TDs in a playoff game.

The 49ers, hampered by injuries and a short week, saw Brock Purdy finish 15 of 27 for 140 yards with an interception and a lost fumble. Seattle will host the winner of Sunday’s Los Angeles Rams–Chicago Bears matchup in the NFC Championship on Jan. 25, and with an extra day of rest Darnold could be healthy when Seattle returns to action.

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Sports, Seattle Seahawks, Rashid Shaheed, Kenneth Walker Iii, Sam Darnold, Brock Purdy