Seattle advances to the NFC Championship game, steamrolling the 49ers 41-6

The 49ers 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 in 1986. Rashid Shaheed opened the game with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

This set the tone for the Seattle Seahawks' dominant 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. Kenneth Walker III added three rushing touchdowns, tying a franchise playoff record with Shaun Alexander for the most in a playoff game in franchise history. While Sam Darnold earned his first career playoff victory in his debut season with Seattle. Despite being listed as questionable with an oblique injury, Darnold performed well, throwing for 124 yards and a touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The 49ers, missing key players like George Kittle, Fred Warner, and Nick Bosa, struggled throughout, with quarterback Brock Purdy turning the ball over twice. The Seahawks' defense, nicknamed the "Dark Side," played a pivotal role, and Seattle now looks ahead to hosting the NFC championship game.

Seattle's strategy for the upcoming NFC championship game will likely focus on leveraging their strong running game, as Kenneth Walker III proved to be a critical asset in their playoff victory. Additionally, they will aim to maintain their defensive dominance by applying relentless pressure on the opposing quarterback and creating turnovers. With home-field advantage, the Seahawks will look to capitalize on the energy of their fans to fuel an aggressive and fast-paced game plan.