Rashid Shaheed Ignites Seahawks with Electric Opening Kickoff Return in Blowout Win Over 49ers
If you blinked at kickoff, you missed it. Rashid Shaheed wasted no time making his presence felt in Seattle’s NFC Divisional Round clash against the 49ers. Just 13 seconds into the game, the Seahawks' return man took the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house, lighting up Lumen Field and setting the tone for what turned into a 41-6 dismantling of San Francisco.
That touchdown wasn’t just a highlight-reel moment-it was a statement. It jumpstarted a dominant 17-0 first quarter for Seattle, and even when the 49ers clawed their way onto the scoreboard with a pair of second-quarter field goals, the Seahawks slammed the door shut, rattling off 24 unanswered points to close the game.
Shaheed, acquired from the Saints back in early November, has been a jolt of electricity for Seattle’s special teams. Saturday night’s return was just the latest example of his ability to flip momentum in a heartbeat.
Seahawks fans saw a preview of this in Week 16, when Shaheed returned a fourth-quarter punt 58 yards for a touchdown against the Rams. That score-and the ensuing two-point conversion-cut a 16-point deficit to just eight.
Seattle would go on to win that game 38-37 in overtime, a victory that loomed large in securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
Shaheed’s impact has been immediate and undeniable. He’s not just a return specialist-he’s a momentum-changer. And in the playoffs, that kind of spark can be the difference between going home and heading to the Super Bowl.
He wasn’t the only special teams standout for Seattle on Saturday night. Rookie Connor O’Toole, an undrafted defensive end out of Utah, made his mark with a key special teams tackle, continuing to carve out a role in the Seahawks’ postseason run.
Seattle now awaits the winner of Sunday’s game between the Bears and the Rams. Whoever they face in the NFC Championship, one thing’s clear: with Shaheed in the fold, the Seahawks have a game-breaker who can shift the tide in a single play.
Broncos Outlast Bills in Overtime Thriller, but Lose Bo Nix to Injury
The Broncos and Bills gave us one of the weekend’s most dramatic finishes, with Denver escaping Buffalo 33-30 in overtime. But the win came at a steep cost: quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle on the final drive and will miss the rest of the playoffs.
Before the injury, Nix had led a gutsy 75-yard drive in overtime, capped by a 23-yard field goal from Will Lutz to send the Broncos to the AFC Championship. It was a gut-punch ending for the Bills, who had clawed back from multiple deficits and forced overtime with a clutch 50-yard field goal from Matt Prater in the final minute of regulation.
Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid turned in his best playoff performance yet, leading the team with six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. His 14-yard score early in the fourth quarter gave the Bills a brief 24-23 lead and showcased his growing chemistry with Josh Allen. Kincaid’s sure hands and route-running were on full display, and he continues to look like a long-term fixture in Buffalo’s offensive core.
On the defensive side, safety Cole Bishop stood out with a team-high 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss. Bishop was flying around the field, showing the kind of instincts and physicality that made him a standout at Utah.
Cornerback Taron Johnson added six tackles and a pass deflection for the Bills, while punter Mitch Wishnowsky-usually a weapon in the field position battle-handled kickoff duties but wasn’t called on to punt. Rookie tight end Jackson Hawes saw action but didn’t record any stats.
For Denver, veteran left tackle Garett Bolles continues to anchor the offensive line and now finds himself one win away from the Super Bowl. The Pro Bowler’s protection has been pivotal to the Broncos’ postseason success.
Rookie edge rusher Jonah Elliss chipped in with three tackles-two on defense and one on special teams-while linebacker Karene Reid and tight end Caleb Lohner were inactive for the game.
The Broncos will move forward without Nix, but with a defense that’s been opportunistic and a veteran offensive line, they’re still a dangerous team. And with a Super Bowl berth on the line, expect a gritty, physical battle next week-exactly the kind of game Denver’s built for.