Remember when people said Seattle couldn't hang with San Francisco? Yeah, about that. The Seahawks absolutely annihilated the 49ers 41-6 on Saturday night in what became the second-most lopsided playoff loss in San Francisco's franchise history. Only a 49-3 beatdown by the Giants in 1986 was worse.

The Quick Hit

• Final score: Seahawks 41, 49ers 6
• Kenneth Walker III: 19 carries, 116 yards, 3 TDs
• The margin: Tied for the largest playoff win in Seahawks history (Super Bowl XLVIII vs Denver)
• What's next: Seattle hosts the Bears or Rams in the NFC Championship

It Was Over Before It Started

Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Ninety-five yards. First play of the game. The 49ers were already down a score before their offense touched the ball.

From there, Seattle's defense—the same unit that led the NFL in scoring this season—absolutely suffocated everything San Francisco tried to do. Three turnovers. Two sacks. The 49ers failed to score a single touchdown for the second consecutive week. They managed six points on two field goals. That's it.

Brock Purdy looked lost. He threw for just 140 yards while coughing up two fumbles and an interception. Christian McCaffrey was held to 74 total yards. Without George Kittle, Fred Warner, and Nick Bosa (all injured), the Niners had no answers.

Walker Channeled Shaun Alexander

Kenneth Walker III put on a clinic. His three rushing touchdowns tied Shaun Alexander's franchise record for a playoff game. He finished with 145 total yards—116 on the ground and 29 through the air—and the 49ers simply could not stop him.

"They just couldn't tackle him," one analyst noted. Walker hit holes that the injured San Francisco defense couldn't close, and once he got to the second level, it was over.

This was the game that Walker needed to silence doubters who questioned whether he could be a lead back in January. He answered emphatically.

The Spread Covered in the First Quarter

Seattle was a 7-point favorite heading into Saturday night. They led 17-0 after the first quarter. The game was over as a betting proposition before San Francisco could mount any sort of response.

If you faded the 49ers without Kittle like many sharp bettors did, you were never sweating. The under (44.5) cashed comfortably too, though not in the way most expected—Seattle put up 41 but the Niners barely contributed.

What This Means for the NFC Championship

The top seed held serve. Seattle will host the NFC Championship Game next Sunday at Lumen Field. They'll face either the Bears or the Rams, depending on tonight's matchup.

If Chicago wins, it's a rematch of teams that met twice during the regular season. If LA advances, the Seahawks get a Rams team that's been one of the league's best scoring offenses.

Either way, Seattle looks dangerous. Their defense is playing at an elite level, their run game is clicking, and now they've got home field through the Super Bowl.

The Bottom Line

Seattle delivered a statement. The 49ers dynasty is officially on pause, and the Seahawks are two wins from their second Super Bowl title. If you're looking to bet the NFC Championship, Seattle's defense is the real deal. They just held one of the league's most talented rosters to six points.