### Seahawks Surge to Victory: Rashid Shaheed's Impact Shines Against Falcons The Seattle Seahawks showcased a dominant performance against the Atlanta Falcons, winning decisively with a score of 37-9. This victory was marked by the impressive debut of Rashid Shaheed, who was acquired from the New Orleans Saints just a month prior. Shaheed's standout moment came when he returned the second-half kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown, igniting a second-half surge that propelled the Seahawks to their tenth win of the season, improving their record to 10-3 and solidifying their playoff aspirations. Meanwhile, the Falcons fell to 4-9, officially eliminating them from playoff contention [https://apnews.com/article/seahawks-falcons-nfl-score-2b5ab78e3327e1b71607464d3025dcfd]. ### Breakdown of the Seahawks' Victory 1. **Game Overview** - The Seahawks entered halftime tied at 6-6 but exploded for 31 points in the second half. - Sam Darnold threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns, with two of those touchdowns going to Jaxon Smith-Njigba [https://www.fox13seattle.com/sports/shaheed-scores-100-yard-kickoff-return-td-seahawks-blow-away-falcons-37-9]. 2. **Key Player Contributions** - Rashid Shaheed's 100-yard kickoff return was pivotal in shifting the momentum of the game [https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/id/47241766/seattle-seahawks-win-atlanta-falcons-rashid-shaheed-compliment-jaxon-smith-njigba]. - Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a notable performance with seven receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns [https://www.titansradio.com/2025/12/07/seahawks-dismantle-falcons-after-halftime-reach-10-wins]. 3. **Defensive Performance** - Seattle's defense was instrumental, forcing three turnovers that contributed to the Falcons' struggles throughout the game [https://www.fox13seattle.com/sports/takeaways-from-seahawks-37-9-win-over-falcons]. ### Supporting Evidence of Dominance - **Scoring Breakdown**: - **First Half**: 6 points (Tied 6-6) - **Second Half**: 31 points (Total 37 points) - **Key Statistics**: - Sam Darnold: 249 passing yards, 3 touchdowns - Rashid Shaheed: 100-yard kickoff return touchdown - Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 7 receptions, 92 yards, 2 touchdowns - Seattle's defense: 3 turnovers forced [https://www.komonews.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-blow-away-hapless-falcons-37-9-as-rashid-shaheed-returns-kickoff-100-yards-football-seattle-nfl-score-win]. ### Conclusion: Seahawks' Path Forward The Seattle Seahawks demonstrated their potential as serious playoff contenders with a commanding victory over the Atlanta Falcons. **Key takeaways include**: 1. **Rashid Shaheed's Impact**: His kickoff return was a game-changer, highlighting his value to the team. 2. **Offensive Efficiency**: Darnold's performance and Smith-Njigba's contributions were crucial in breaking the game open. 3. **Defensive Strength**: The ability to force turnovers played a significant role in the Seahawks' success. With this win, the Seahawks not only improved their record but also positioned themselves favorably for a potential division title and a high playoff seed [https://www.fieldgulls.com/seattle-seahawks-scores-results/156808/seahawks-vs-falcons-score-results-nfl-week-14-highlights-news].