In a thrilling Wildcard Round matchup, the Seattle Seahawks topped the New Orleans Saints with a decisive 42-23 victory, securing their place in the next stage of the playoffs. The stakes were high, as both teams sought to advance deeper into the postseason, but it was the Seahawks who emerged victorious on their home turf. Leading the charge for Seattle was quarterback Sam Darnold, who delivered a standout performance with 356 passing yards and an impressive six touchdown passes. Tory Horton also played a pivotal role in the offense, racking up 117 receiving yards that kept the Saints' defense on its heels. Meanwhile, Travis Etienne Jr. led New Orleans with 84 rushing yards, but it wasn’t enough to match Seattle’s offensive firepower. Defensively, the Seahawks were effective in their approach, with Nick Emmanwori leading the team in tackles with five total stops. DeMarcus Lawrence contributed significantly as well, recording a sack that helped shift momentum in Seattle's favor. The turning point came in the second quarter when Darnold connected for two quick touchdowns, allowing the Seahawks to pull away and ultimately seal the victory.