The Seattle Seahawks made a loud statement in their divisional-round clash with the San Francisco 49ers, steamrolling their NFC West rivals in a 41-6 win that was as dominant as the score suggests. From the opening whistle, Seattle took control-and never let go.
The tone was set early. Seattle jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, putting the 49ers on their heels before they could even settle in.
The Seahawks’ offense clicked early behind a balanced attack, while their defense kept San Francisco bottled up and frustrated. By the time the third quarter rolled around, the Seahawks had extended their lead to 27-6, and the game felt all but over.
But things got chippy as the frustration boiled over for San Francisco. After a play in the third quarter, Seattle rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba approached 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. What followed was a moment of lost composure from Lenoir, who responded by headbutting Smith-Njigba-a clear sign of how much the 49ers were unraveling.
The moment didn’t go unnoticed. Smith-Njigba’s brother, Canaan, took to social media to poke fun at Lenoir’s outburst, posting:
"Jax always wanted a little brother to bully. welcome to the family @Dmo_lenoir."
It was a lighthearted jab, but one that underscored just how thoroughly Seattle had gotten under San Francisco’s skin.
Statistically, Smith-Njigba didn’t have a monster day-he finished with just three catches for 19 yards-but he made his touches count. His first-quarter touchdown grab helped build that early 16-0 lead and gave Seattle all the momentum they needed. From there, the Seahawks leaned heavily on their ground game and suffocating defense to close the door.
This was more than just a playoff win-it was a statement. Seattle didn’t just beat a division rival; they dismantled them. And in doing so, they sent a clear message to the rest of the league: they’re not just here to compete-they’re here to dominate.