The San Francisco 49ers came into Lumen Field with revenge on their minds-but the Seattle Seahawks had other plans. From the opening whistle, Seattle made a statement.
One play, one touchdown, and the tone was set. The Seahawks didn’t just take control-they seized it and never let go.
What unfolded was a dominant performance that left the Niners reeling from the jump.
Before the game, 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne brought some extra energy to the rivalry. Cameras caught him snatching a sign from a Seahawks fan and ripping it up during pregame warmups.
It was a bold move that quickly made the rounds on social media. Fans didn’t hold back in their reactions, especially after the way the game played out.
“All that turning up just to get turned down,” one fan posted, summing up the mood with a laugh. Another chimed in: “They got dawg walked for that lol.” The internet can be ruthless, and this moment was tailor-made for the meme cycle-especially with a final score that left little room for trash talk.
But credit where it’s due: the Seahawks didn’t just win-they imposed their will. Despite some pregame concern around quarterback Sam Darnold, who appeared on the injury report unexpectedly, Seattle’s defense came ready to play. They set the tone early, forcing turnovers and putting the 49ers in a hole they couldn’t climb out of.
Even 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged how tough it was to get anything going against this Seahawks unit. “We got away from the run, trying to get back into it,” Shanahan explained after the game.
“That team doesn’t give up big plays. That’s why they’re number one in the league over the last two years not giving up big plays.
When you get down a lot, it’s going to be tough to get back.”
That’s the thing about Seattle’s defense-it doesn’t just play hard, it plays smart. They don’t give up the deep ball, they swarm to the football, and they force you into uncomfortable situations. For a 49ers team already battling through injuries, that was a recipe for disaster.
Still, San Francisco deserves credit for making it this far. Injuries have been a recurring theme all season, and just reaching the postseason was a testament to their depth and resilience. But on this day, it was all Seahawks.
And while Kendrick Bourne’s pregame antics might’ve added some spice to the rivalry, the scoreboard did all the talking in the end. The Seahawks didn’t just win-they made a statement. And with a defense playing at this level, they’re not just a tough out-they’re a legitimate threat.