Above Image Credit: KIRO 7 News
When: Saturday, Jan. 17th, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Lumen Field (Seattle, WA)
How to Watch: FOX (check your listings)
The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks will meet once again with the winner getting one step closer to the Super Bowl.
Looking Back In Order to Look Ahead
This will be the third meeting between these teams this season. San Francisco defeated Seattle 17-13 in the first week of the regular season. Then, the Seahawks retaliated 13-3 in the regular season finale two weeks ago, earning them the NFC West title and securing the #1 seed in the conference.
In the history of their rivalry, both teams met twice in the postseason. The first meeting was the NFC championship game in 2014 where Seattle won 23-17. The second and previous postseason meeting was the wild card game on Jan. 14, 2023 where San Francisco scored a dominant 41-23 win.
On Saturday evening, the rivalry picks up where it lefts off with something even bigger at stake. The winner will advance to the NFC championship game next weekend and face the winner of the LA Rams vs. Chicago Bears game.
Who to Watch Out For
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold has not been ruled out despite suffering an oblique injury at practice this week. So far, he is expected to play this game.
I believe that Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense will be a key factor in this game. In the regular season, they have allowed the sixth-most yards per game (285.6), the third-most rushing yards per game (91.9), and they’re the top scoring defense (17.2 points per game).
As for San Francisco, WR Ricky Pearsall returned to practice this week in a limited capacity. Fans hope he will be in the lineup, especially since TE George Kittle tore his Achilles tendon last week, ending his season.
Pearsall hasn’t played in almost three weeks due to a knee injury. Before then, he ran for 528 yards in 36 receptions. If he does play, at least he won’t be alone. He’ll have RB Christian McCaffrey in his corner. He’s already had 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns in 311 carries.
49ers vs. Seahawks: Final Thoughts and Prediction
The 49ers have won the last seven meetings against Seattle. Each are 1-1 against one another in the postseason.
San Francisco will have to quickly adapt without their star tight end. McCaffrey might be the team’s top offensive player, but he can’t be the only one they can rely on. QB Brock Purdy has to try and pass or hand the ball to players Seattle’s defense would never expect.
If Seattle’s defense is third in the rushing game, you know they’re going to constantly target McCaffrey because of this speed. Targeting the offense is what they will need to do, and they have to go harder at it like they did in the regular season finale.
This third postseason 49ers vs. Seahawks matchup will be anything but subtle. Their last few games against each other ended with a score difference of 15 points or less. I believe this will be another close matchup regardless of the outcome.
