Why the Seahawks Should Defeat the 49ers

The Seahawks and Lions had been battling for the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs, but both teams were overtaken by the Atlanta Falcons down the stretch. But as the Falcons appeared to be defeating the New Orleans Saints handily – taking with them the No. 2 seed and the first-round bye that goes with it – the Seahawks made a decision to give their starters some rest. Seattle, instead, will be the No. 3 seed and assured a home game next weekend and then go on the road in the divisional round if it wins. “But our players and our coaches, we think the world of him and he’s fun to watch and we watch him every week and we’ll have a good time competing against him”. “I know I didn’t come in with the mentality that if I leave this building I’m never coming back – so maybe, maybe not”. And I’ll always challenge that thought. I’m doubting the Lions can score more than 21 points on Saturday, so that defense needs a better effort. I can’t remember doing it very many times, ever.

The Cardinals have fallen off dramatically and might need to move on from Carson Palmer at quarterback, and the Rams are just as hapless and in flux as the 49ers. While much lighter than the rivals, they must conclude that after mini-camp, OTAs, training camp, four exhibitions and 16 regular-season games, they still have no decent running game for the postseason. That’s why Carroll pulled his starters. The good news was before their regular season finale at Ford Field against the Packers, the New York Giants did Detroit a favor by beating the Washington Redskins. “He’s a multitalented guy that can obviously make plays with it after he catches it and trying to find ways to get it to him in space”. “You’re not going to get a guy that’s going to be like him”.

Many reports have San Francisco firing head coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke on Monday no matter what happens on Sunday. But that’s relative. San Francisco still set franchise records in points, total yards and rushing yards allowed.

In a game in which Seattle could have, conceivably, pounded the Niners into submission via the run game, the Seahawks abandoned it quite early. Wagner said the Seahawks’ front seven specifically had to change how it was filling in gaps on running plays.

“We knew we needed a play”, he said.

Still, the 49ers led 14-6 midway through the second quarter when Athyba Rubin forced a fumble that Frank Clark recovered and returned to the 49ers’ 15.

Stafford put the Lions ahead, 14-7, with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Tate with 26 seconds left in the first half, Rodgers completed a 39-yard pass on the Packers’ next play from scrimmage and Green Bay tacked on a 53-yard field goal as the half expired. He missed the game earlier this year, but his replacement, Christine Michael, ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

“A ridiculous catch”, Carroll marveled later.

Tuesday, Pete Carroll opened up about losing Tate to Detroit reporters, and admitted the team did try to bring the explosive wideout back to the team after they won the Super Bowl. However, they are going up against three factors: the Seahawks elite pass defense, the Seahawks experience advantage, and, of course, the 12, which will be rocking for a home playoff game this year.

“This has been his most productive year, his best year just throughout”, Carroll said.

“Just to be direct, I wouldn’t tell you if they did, because I’m not focused in on that”, Caldwell said.