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Seahawks-49ers divisional playoffs: What happened and what do Seattle fans think about it?
The Seahawks have made two moves in the Mike Macdonald era to acquire former Rams and both would have been classified as low risk, moderately decent rewards. Ernest Jones and Cooper Kupp were jettisoned by L.A. without an expectation from the Rams that either decision would come back to haunt them.
Now in large part because of Jones and Kupp, the Seahawks could end up hosting the Rams in the 2026 NFC Championship after beating the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 on Saturday night.
It’s difficult to know exactly where to start with this recap because so many players were able to stand out against a 49ers team that Seaside Joe said (again and again and again and again and again) did not belong here, including a hat trick scorer, a player with two takeaways, a slaughtering in the trenches on both sides, a strip sack, a special teams touchdown, and a coaching masterclass for Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh…
People were afraid that Drew Lock would start the game and instead he finished it because the Niners were so unprepared for a team this good. So I’ll start with the former Rams because there’s a good chance they’ll be facing current Rams at Lumen Field next Sunday.
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Hawks’ ‘Nest
The Niners found out (again) what it’s like to mess with the Hawks’ ‘Nest.
The Hawks’ ‘Nest (Er’nest Jones, that is) forced two turnovers, including a strip fumble against tight end Jake Tonges and an interception off of Brock Purdy, both plays all but guaranteeing that San Francisco’s efforts to move the ball against Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense were all for naught.
Kupp didn’t have a game with at least 5 catches and at least 60 yards since Week 2, but had those totals on Saturday and saved multiple offensive drives with huge plays, including a 21-yard reception on 2nd-and-20 that led to Seattle’s first offensive touchdown and gave the Seahawks a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.
It just felt like when the Seahawks needed a play between the 20s (which they rarely did), Kupp was the guy for it.
As I was saying, Seattle wasn’t going to need Sam Darnold in this one and they didn’t — he finished 12-of-17 for 124 yards — but he looked sharp and his arm had lightyear velocity on several needle-threading throws to Kupp. The same could be said for his 4-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who only finished with 19 yards because the Seahawks pulled their starters in the fourth quarter.
The more obvious path to victory for Seattle’s offense would be on the ground and they nearly matched the 180 rushing yards they had against the Niners two weeks ago.
Kenneth Walker the 3rd touchdown
With Zach Charbonnet sidelined from a knee injury in the first half (nobody seems to be panicking about it yet so perhaps he’ll be OK), Walker was finally allowed to dance on his own in the red zone.
Walker finished with 19 carries for 116 yards and 3 touchdowns.
It’s the third-highest single game rushing yard total in Walker’s career and the second time he has scored 3 touchdowns.
Walker tied Shaun Alexander for the Seahawks franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a playoff game: Alexander had 3 in an overtime 2003 season playoff loss to the Packers. Only three players in NFL history have scored more than 3 rushing touchdowns in a single playoff game (including Ricky Watters, for the 49ers).
What do you want to say about the game?!?
Get it off your chest! I’ll share your reactions in tomorrow’s Seaside Joe!
DeMarcus More-awnce
More quick notes:
DeMarcus Lawrence had the game’s third official turnover, stripping Brock Purdy for a fumble to secure the win (even more than it was already secured)
Leonard Williams had a sack
Rashid Shaheed opened the game with a KO return TD
The only other KO return TD in Seahawks playoff history was Percy Harvin
(Shaheed is a better Seattle pickup than Harvin was…and a lot cheaper!)
If you include turnovers on downs, the Seahawks had 6 turnovers
Nick Emmanwori saved a hail mary touchdown pass at the end of the first half…
I honestly don’t think it would have mattered, but it doesn’t hurt!
Michael Dickson had a sick punt
Julian Love recovered the first fumble, Emmanwori recovered the second
Riq Woolen had two pass breakups
The Seahawks will host the winner of the Rams-Bears game on Sunday. Personally, I would recommend you root for the Bears because Chicago is arguably worse than San Francisco. But to each your own.
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41-6. Same margin as the 43-8 Super Bowl win.
Definitely pulling for the Bears. Not just bc they’re not as good, but to stick it to Ben Johnson