In the NFC divisional round on Jan. 18, 2026 at Lumen Field, the Seattle Seahawks opened with a momentum-packed first quarter, taking a 17-0 lead over the San Francisco 49ers. Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, and Jason Myers added a 31-yard field goal on Seattle’s next possession. Quarterback Sam Darnold, listed as questionable after an oblique issue in practice, took the field and later connected for a short TD pass — all before the quarter ended. The winner will advance to face either the Los Angeles Rams or Chicago Bears for the NFC championship and a shot at the Super Bowl.
Key takeaways
- Rashid Shaheed opened the game with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving Seattle an immediate 7-0 lead.
- Jason Myers converted a 31-yard field goal on an 11-play drive, extending the lead to 10-0 with 5:06 left in the first quarter.
- Sam Darnold, who practiced with an oblique concern, started and later threw a 4-yard touchdown to Jaxon Smith‑Njigba, pushing the score to 17-0 by the end of the first quarter.
- Two plays after Myers’ field goal the Seahawks forced a 49ers fumble (Ernest Jones IV strip) recovered by Julian Love at San Francisco’s 42.
- Seattle has forced 12 turnovers over its past six games, a trend that continued in the early moments of this contest.
- This was Seattle’s first home playoff game with fans in attendance since 2017; the atmosphere at Lumen Field was loud and largely pro‑Seahawks.
- The coin toss went to San Francisco, which deferred to the second half, sending the Seahawks onto the field to start the game.
Background
The Seahawks arrived at this divisional-round matchup coming off a wild-card bye, rested and at full strength beyond the late-week oblique issue to their starter. San Francisco advanced by upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles on the road as underdogs the previous weekend, setting up a matchup between two familiar NFC West rivals. Seattle and the 49ers have a long rivalry history — including two prior postseason meetings — and both teams understand the stakes: the winner faces the Rams or Bears for the conference title and a Super Bowl berth.
The game marked Seattle’s first home playoff contest with fans since Jan. 2017, a fact that amplified pregame pageantry and alumni appearances. Former Seahawks notables joined the pregame ceremony — including Doug Baldwin raising the 12 flag and Kam Chancellor addressing the crowd — underscoring the emotional weight of a postseason night at Lumen Field. Roster notes before kickoff included the elevation of Velus Jones Jr. to provide depth at running back; it was the only official roster move announced that day.
Main event
The 49ers won the toss and deferred, and on the game’s first play from scrimmage Seattle’s special teams produced an instant swing: Shaheed returned the opening kickoff 95 yards, aided by key blocks from Brady Russell and Patrick O’Connell and a missed tackle attempt by San Francisco’s Chase Lucas. The return drew loud cheers and put Seattle ahead 7-0 within the opening minute.
Seattle’s offense then methodically chewed clock on an 11-play drive that culminated in Jason Myers’ 31-yard field goal, a drive that included a successful short-yardage conversion on an AJ Barner sneak. Two plays after the field goal the Seahawks’ defense struck again: Ernest Jones IV forced a fumble on Jake Tonges that Julian Love recovered at the 49ers’ 42, returning possession to Seattle in prime field position.
Sam Darnold, who had been listed as questionable after injuring his left oblique in practice, took live snaps and showed enough mobility and accuracy to sustain drives. He was sacked on one play but rebounded with a 21-yard pass to Cooper Kupp and later threw a 4-yard touchdown to Jaxon Smith‑Njigba in the corner of the end zone, extending Seattle’s advantage to 17-0 before the quarter closed.
Analysis & implications
Seattle’s fast start changed the early script: a special-teams touchdown and a defense that immediately produced a turnover compressed the 49ers’ game plan and forced San Francisco into an uphill battle. The Seahawks’ ability to convert short-yardage situations and finish drives — even when Darnold was limited to shorter throws — revealed a balanced attack that leans on the running game and play-action to create scoring chances.
Darnold’s oblique status is central to Seattle’s offensive ceiling. Oblique strains can limit torque and deep‑throw velocity; if Darnold must avoid downfield attempts, Seattle will rely more heavily on zone runs, play-action, tight-end work (AJ Barner) and quick reads to sustain drives. The offensive line and run game (Zach Charbonnet, Kenneth Walker III) may determine whether Seattle can maintain scoring without asking Darnold to push the deep ball consistently.
Defensively, forcing turnovers has been a hallmark of Seattle’s recent form — 12 takeaways in six games — and that trait amplified early here. If the Seahawks continue to generate turnovers and favorable field position, they can control time of possession and limit Brock Purdy’s opportunities. For San Francisco, the adjustment path includes tighter ball security, quicker release patterns and schematic changes to neutralize Devon Witherspoon and the Seattle pass rush.
Comparison & data
| Year | Opponent | Seahawks Q1 points | Final result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Carolina | 10 | W 34-14 |
| 2008 | Green Bay | 14 | L 20-42 |
| 2026 | San Francisco | 17 | Ongoing |
Seattle recording double‑digit first-quarter points in a playoff game is uncommon; prior to this night it happened in 2006 and 2008. The quick 17-point start in the first quarter places the Seahawks in a strong early position, but past precedent shows early leads do not guarantee postseason victory — as in 2008, when Seattle led early but ultimately lost.
Reactions & quotes
“More precautionary stuff going on,”
John Schneider, Seahawks general manager (pregame interview)
“I immediately stopped once I felt something in my oblique,”
Sam Darnold, Seahawks quarterback (post-injury comment)
“Seahawks fans are filling roughly 90% of the stadium,”
Mike Vorel, Seattle Times reporter (gametime observation)
Unconfirmed
- The full extent and expected recovery timeline for Darnold’s oblique strain remains unconfirmed beyond team statements that treatment was “precautionary.”
- Whether the early turnovers and momentum swing will produce lasting strategic changes for the 49ers in later quarters is not yet clear.
- The complete historical list of opening-kickoff return TDs in playoff history beyond the 2016 Knile Davis example requires verification from league historical records.
Bottom line
The Seahawks seized the opening quarter with a perfect combination of special-teams explosiveness, opportunistic defense and efficient short-field offense. Shaheed’s 95-yard return and the forced fumble that followed set a tone that allowed Seattle to build a multi-possession lead without requiring high-risk, downfield passing from a quarterback nursing an oblique concern.
What comes next will hinge on two variables: whether Darnold can sustain effective play without worsening his oblique, and whether Seattle’s defense can keep producing turnovers or at least limit big plays from Brock Purdy. If both hold, the Seahawks will remain in control; if either falters, the game is far from decided and the 49ers have the personnel to mount a comeback.
Sources
- The Seattle Times — local newspaper live updates and reporting (primary game coverage)