SEATTLE — Sam Darnold‘s oblique injury became the biggest storyline heading into Seattle’s divisional round matchup with the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, giving the Seahawks and their fans a scare after the Pro Bowl quarterback left practice two days earlier.
It quickly became an afterthought.
Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, jump-starting an all-three-phases beatdown by the Seahawks in a 41-6 win over their division rivals at Lumen Field. They raced to a 17-0 lead and never looked back as their top-ranked scoring defense dominated San Francisco for the second game in a row while Kenneth Walker III and their emerging run game led the way offensively.
And Darnold looked just fine.
“That’s probably the most complementary game we’ve played up to this point,” said coach Mike Macdonald, whose team will host either the Chicago Bears or Los Angeles Rams next Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.
The Seahawks handed the 49ers their most lopsided loss of the Kyle Shanahan era, which began in 2017. For Macdonald,who replaced Pete Carroll in 2024,it was the third-largest win by a head coach in his playoff debut in NFL history,according to ESPN Research.
It came in front of a raucous crowd, as the Seahawks hosted their first playoff game with fans in the stands in nine years. Lumen Field was already buzzing when Shaheed sent it into a frenzy by returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
Sam Darnold’s Shoulder Injury and Performance in the NFL Playoffs
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is managing a shoulder injury sustained during the team’s Wild Card win against the Dallas Cowboys on january 14, 2024, but continues to perform effectively as the Seahawks advance in the playoffs. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 41-35,securing $200,000 in incentives for the team with the victory.
Injury Details and Management
Sam Darnold sustained a shoulder injury during the Wild Card game, which he will need to manage throughout the remainder of the playoffs. Darnold confirmed the injury is “absolutely” something he’ll have to continue to manage. While specific details of the injury haven’t been publicly disclosed beyond it affecting his shoulder, he has demonstrated an ability to play through the discomfort.
Details regarding NFL player injuries are frequently enough closely guarded for competitive reasons, but teams are required to report injuries on official injury reports. These reports are available through the NFL’s official injury report page.
Quarterback Performance Assessment
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald praised Darnold’s performance, describing it as “tremendous” despite a slow start. Macdonald specifically highlighted Darnold’s ability to “manage” the game, which he characterized as a “very high-powered compliment.”
Darnold’s statistics from the Wild Card game against the Cowboys included 35 completions on 45 attempts for 324 yards and three touchdowns. ESPN’s box score details these statistics. Macdonald anticipates further explosive plays from darnold as he continues to settle into the offense.
Playoff Outlook and Potential Super Bowl Run
Given the strong performance of the Seattle Seahawks’ defense, analysts suggest the team has a viable path to Super bowl LX, perhaps culminating in a return to Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks previously played the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Week 18 of the 2023 season.
The NFL Playoff bracket is updated after each round of games, providing a clear view of the Seahawks’ potential opponents and path to the Super Bowl. Super Bowl LX is scheduled to be played on february 9, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The official Super Bowl website confirms the date and location.
