Why Sam Darnold isn’t taking his first playoff win for granted

Sam Darnoldfirst career playoff win came in an emphatic waybut the Seahawks quarterback made it clear afterward that the moment had meaning far beyond the final score. The dominant 41-6 demolition of the San Francisco 49ers in Seattle in the NFC divisional round not only ticketed for the conference championshipbut it also marked a personal turning point for a quarterback whose career path has rarely been straightforward.

When asked after the game what his first postseason win meant to him, Darnold framed the achievement around the people in the locker room, not his stat line.

“It’s huge. I don’t take it for granted at all. It’s just a special group. I think that’s the biggest thing, and that’s why it means so much,” Darnold said, via ESPN. “Just the way those guys have been in the locker room since I got here. They were tight before I got in, obviously. but only the way they received me is theirs. And it’s so special to this league in general. You have so many great relationships throughout this whole process, that locker room and these coaches. Just the way we play together. That’s why I’m playing this game, and they’ve made it really easy for me to come in here since April, to be able to help lead this team and drive the ball down the field, score touchdowns, all that stuff.”

“It’s huge, I don’t take it for granted.

Sam Darnold reflects on his first career playoff win 👏 pic.twitter.com/a8CVJgCivi

— ESPN (@espn) January 18, 2026

That outlook was shaped by a week filled with uncertainty. Darnold injured his hair in practice on Thursdayhe missed the rest of the session and was listed as questionable entering the weekend. While Seattle maintained its confidence to play, Darnold adjusted his routine, even staying in the locker room during early warmups to stay relaxed before kickoff.

Once the game started, any doubts quickly disappeared. After taking a sack in the first quarter that briefly left him limping, Darnold returned the favor with a 20-yard strike to Cooper Kupp on second-and-long. Moments later, he capped the drive with a pinpoint throw to Jakon Smith-Njigba for a four-yard touchdown, extending Seattle’s early lead.

Darnold finished 12-of-17 for 124 yards and a touchdown, steady and efficient as Seattle overcame a depleted 49ers roster several defensive cornerstones are missing. Seattle will now host the NFC Championship Game next week – and for the field general who is determined to take nothing for granted, the journey is just beginning.