1/18/2026

(Seattle, WA) If there was any question about the Seahawks defensive performance in week 18 when they dismantled the 49ers, that question was answered again with another eye-popping defensive effort in the divisional round of the NFL play-offs Saturday night. The Seahawks allowed just 6 points ands in the last 3 games have given up a total of 19 points.

Special teams got things started though and the trade deadline deal that brought Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks from the New Orleans Saints paid off huge with an opening kick-off return of 95 yards for a touchdown in the first 14 seconds of the game. The Hawks would surge to a 17-0 lead before giving up the 6 points and made it 17-6. A touchdown just before the half from Kenneth Walker pushed the halftime score to 24-6.

The Seahawks defense continued to blow up everything the 49ers tried to do offensively and would blank San Francisco in the 2nd half while Walker (K-9) had his biggest game of the year with 116 yards rushing, 29 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. 

Sam Darnold was steady and did what a great leader and team mate does whose focused on winning and that was to never put the defense in a bad spot and handled the offense brilliantly throwing for just 124 yards going 12 for 17 and a beautiful TD pass to Jaxson Smith-Njigba. No interceptions or fumbles. He threw the ball away when he needed to and ate it when he questioned whether or not he could throw it away safely.

The defense, dubbed “The Dark Side”, recovered 2 fumbles and had an interception with Ernest Jones IV with the pick and caused a fumble that Julien Love recovered. Nick Emmanwori recovered the other loose ball. Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Ware each had a sack. Devon Witherspoon led the Hawks with 7 tackles with Jones IV and Drake Thomas each with 6 tackles. 

Seattle will host the NFC Championship game next Sunday against the winner of tonight’s LA Rams at Chicago game. If the Rams win it will be the 10th time since 1970 that the Championship game will be played between division opponents. The last time was last year when Philadelphia beat Washington.

For more on the Seahawks win Saturday night you can read Mazvita Maraire’s story on our partner network, Cascadia Sports dot net by clicking this link.

www.elisportsnetwork.com