Seahawks open playoff run with return TD vs 49ers

It didn’t take long for Lumen Field to have a reason to erupt during the Seattle Seahawks’ divisional round clash against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night.

In fact, it took only one play.

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In the first playoff game with fans in the stands in Seattle in nearly a decade, Rashid Shaheed got Lumen Field rocking with a 95-yard TD on the opening kickoff to put Seattle up 7-0 just 13 seconds into the contest.

Shaheed fielded the kick at the 5-yard line and shot through a seam in the middle of field before eluding a shoe-string tackle attempt near the Seattle 40. He then went right and avoided a sliding, foot-first tackle attempt by San Francisco kicker Eddie Pinero just past midfield and raced down the right sideline for the score.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! @RashidShaheed on the opening play 🤯

📺: @NFLonFox pic.twitter.com/ZzMrFLI9l9

— xz* – Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 18, 2026

There was a brief moment of worry as flag was thrown during the return, but it was on Pinero for attempting an illegal slide tackle and the TD stood.

The return score was the third for Shaheed (two kickoff returns, one punt return) since arriving with the Seahawks in a midseason trade for New Orleans Saints. It was also the longest kickoff return TD during a playoff game in Seahawks history.

The Seahawks went on to win a 41-6 rout to reach the NFC title game, which they will host next Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

🔊 HOW IT SOUNDED 🔊

Rashid Shaheed's 95 yard touchdown to start the game as heard on the #Seahawks Radio Network! 👇

📲 https://t.co/maHBzOxo7v
🎧 https://t.co/0X1NCu9TBJ pic.twitter.com/kEwOF24Vdq

— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) January 18, 2026

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