The Seattle Seahawks exploded for 17 points in the first quarter, helping them lead the San Francisco 49ers 24-6 at halftime of their NFC Divisional Round playoff game Saturday night.
The onslaught began immediately, as on the opening kickoff, Seahawks receiver Rashid Shaheed returned the kick 95 yards for a touchdown, giving Seattle a very early 7-0 lead.
After a fourth-down stop by the Seahawks’ defence on the ensuing 49ers drive, the home team put up more points, settling for a field goal off the foot of Jason Myers, to extend their lead to 10 with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The 49ers continued to turn the ball over on their next drive, this time on a fumble by tight end Jake Tonges, eventually leading to quarterback Sam Darnold finding receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the back of the end zone at the end of the opening frame to extend the lead to 17-0.
To begin the second quarter, the 49ers were finally able to get on the board, knocking in three to cut it to a two-possession game.
A San Francisco stop and a subsequent long drive led to another field goal from Eddy Pineiro as well, cutting the deficit to 17-6 with under five minutes remaining in the half.
The Seahawks would respond to close the half, however, draining the clock and driving all the way down the field for a major by running back Kenneth Walker to extend the lead before halftime.
San Francisco will get the football to begin the second half after deferring to Seattle to begin the game.
