It only took 13 seconds for it not to be scoreless in Seattle.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff of Saturday’s NFC divisional round matchup against the 49ers for a 95-yard touchdown, 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.
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 career 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.
