Logo

It only took 13 seconds for it not to be scoreless in Seattle.

Seattle wide receiver Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the Seahawks’ 41-6 blowout win over the 49ers in Saturday night’s NFC divisional round matchup, sending the Lumen Field crowd into a frenzy.

Niners kicker Eddy Piñiero attempted to trip Shaheed as he made his way downfield to no avail, drawing a penalty later enforced on the extra point attempt.


  Rashid Shaheed returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown during the Seahawks-49ers NFC divisional round game on Jan. 17, 2025 in Seattle. AP Rashid Shaheed returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown during the Seahawks-49ers NFC divisional round game on Jan. 17, 2025 in Seattle. AP

  Rashid Shaheed’s return was the longest kick return for a touchdown in Seahawks playoff history. Getty Images Rashid Shaheed’s return was the longest kick return for a touchdown in Seahawks playoff history. Getty Images

The play also marked the longest postseason kick return in franchise history, according to Seahawks PR.

It was a fast start for Shaheed in the first postseason contest of his four-year NFL career.

Shaheed was acquired from the Saints at the trade deadline in November in exchange for Seattle’s fourth and fifth round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In nine games with Seattle after the trade, the two-time Pro Bowler notched 15 receptions without scoring a touchdown.

The 27-year-old’s fast start also kicked off an outstanding first quarter for the Seahawks, who entered Saturday’s divisional contest with questions surrounding quarterback Sam Darnold, who is nursing an oblique injury.

Kicker Jason Myers added three points with a 31-yard field goal later in the first quarter to extend the Seahawks’ lead to 10-0.

Seattle finished the quarter in style after a Darnold touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba gave them a 17-0 lead entering the second quarter.

Shaheed added 27 rushing yards on two carries as the Seahawks clinched the franchise’s first NFC championship appearance since 2014.

“I was so hyped,” defensive lineman Byron Murphy II said of Shaheed’s thrilling touchdown. “I wasn’t expecting that, but when he did it, I knew the game was over then. I already knew.”

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy