Seahawks dominate 49ers, advance to NFC title game

SEATTLE — Rashid Shaheed returned the opening 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 win in his first season with the Seahawks (15-3), who will host the Chicago Bears or Los Angeles Rams next Sunday with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

“Very proud to be a part of this team and organization,” Darnold said.

The Seahawks took a 7-0 lead 13 seconds into the game thanks to Shaheed, who picked off 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 post-season kickoff return in franchise history.

Darnold, who was listed as questionable with an oblique injury, guided the Seahawks to two more field goals before San Francisco connected with the first of its two field goals.

After he fell short in 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 lost three All-Pros to injury: 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 fumble against the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense. Seattle also managed to recover from Jake Tonges’ slump.

“They’re incredible. They step up every game for us,” Darnold said. “Can’t say enough great things about that defense. Tough in training camp and OTAs against them. But I’m glad they’re on our side.”

Walker’s three rushing touchdowns tie him with Shaun Alexander for the most playoff games in franchise history.

Injury

49ers: RB Christian McCaffrey (stinger) was injured in the second quarter and returned in the third before leaving the game for good. Tonges’ leg was injured and couldn’t return.

Seahawks: RB Zach Charbonnet suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and did not return. LT Charles Cross suffered a foot injury in the third quarter and did not return.

Next

49ers: Heal and reload for next season.

Seahawks: One win away from the fourth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history and first in 11 years.