The Seattle Seahawks blew out the San Francisco 49ers in their 41-6 win in the divisional round on Jan. 17 at Lumen Field. Now, the Seahawks need to play the waiting game to see who they face in the NFC title game.
Nonetheless, whether it’s the Chicago Bears or the Los Angeles Rams, former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t hold back his expectations for this Seattle team after beating the Niners.
“Can’t wait to do this [podcast], what a day!!!” Sherman wrote on X after the Seahawks’ win. “Seahawks dominate in all three phases of the game. Can’t see a scenario where they don’t end up in Santa Clara.”
Aside from the Seahawks’ defense, running back Kenneth Walker III was the star of the contest. He had 19 carries while registering 116 rushing yards and averaging 6.1 yards per carry for three touchdowns.
With Sam Darnold dealing with an injury heading into this game against the Niners, Seattle needed someone to step up to take the load off of his shoulders, and Walker answered the call. It was 17-0 Seahawks at the end of the first quarter. As a result, Seattle never looked back, leading to the blowout over the NFC West rival.
It’s Super Bowl or Bust for the Seahawks
Sherman isn’t the only person to say that the Seahawks need to get to the Super Bowl. The Ringer’s Bill Simmons recently sent a message to the Seahawks regarding their chances of winning a championship.
“If I’m Seattle and I’m their fans, this is it, man,” Simmons said in a video posted by The Ringer on Jan. 16. “This is now lined up to win the Super Bowl… They have the best unit of any [playoff team]. I sound like I’m a Seahawks fan. I just feel like this is laid out for them. They could easily fuck it up. But if I’m a Seahawks fan, ‘I’m like, holy sh–, we might be able to win the Super Bowl for real.’
“Our defense could just dominate the Niners this round. We go to the next round, we get the Rams at home, fine. And then we’re going to play Bo Nix in the Super Bowl, or this Pats team that has the youngest team in the league, or Josh Allen with no receivers. I like my chances against anybody.”
Seahawks Dominated 49ers In Several Phases of the Game
If the Rams advance, it would mean the Seahawks would have to face another NFC West rival they are familiar with. Much like the 49ers, Seattle went 1-1 against Los Angeles, with the Seahawks winning the last meeting 38-37, an overtime thriller on Dec. 18.
Furthermore, Darnold will also have a few more days to heal as the Seahawks look to get him close to 100 percent ahead of the NFC title game. Former NFL QB Brock Huard shared his thoughts on the Seahawks’ dominating win.
“That was a rested, hungry group of dogs that were flat‑out tired of listening to the 49ers talk and chirp and whine,” Huard said (h/t Seattle Sports). “Seattle wanted to make a statement, and my goodness gracious, they made a statement. In every phase, from the jump, 13 seconds in. Special teams, nails. Offense, nails. Run game, nails.”
Richard Sherman Delivers Strong Take After Seahawks Beat 49ers