SEATTLE – Richard Sherman deflected Colin Kaepernick’s late pass into the arms of linebacker Malcolm Smith, who grabbed it for an interception to seal a 23-17 win for the Seattle Seahawks over San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game.
Seattle earned its second Super Bowl trip in franchise history and will now take on the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
The Seahawks had trailed throughout much of the game, but took the lead for the first time early in the fourth quarter as Russell Wilson hit Jermaine Kearse on a fourth-down play for a 35-yard touchdown pass.
Seattle had a chance to pad the lead, but fumbled on fourth-and-goal at the one-yard line, giving the 49ers one last chance to reach a second consecutive Super Bowl.
Kevin Kugler and James Lofton called the action on WestwoodOne Sports.