Week 15 begins with the NFC West matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. It’s been a while since a Niners-Seahawks game at the end of the season has ramifications in the playoffs for both teams.
But we’re in mid-December with the 49ers topping the table 9-4, on a six-game winning streak, with a chance to win the NFC West title against their arch-nemesis, Seattle. A seventh straight win for San Francisco would be the first time it has done so since 2019. And the Niners won the Super Bowl later that season. The NFL loves drama and plot, and if you’re a fan of West Coast football, that’s not much better.
Regarding the Seahawks and what’s coming to Pete Carroll’s crew, it’s simple. A loss to San Francisco wouldn’t knock Seattle out of the playoffs, but it would make it difficult as the two teams leading them (the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders) go head to head on Sunday night. So dropping to 7-7 while one of those teams improves to 8-5-1 could be detrimental to Seattle’s knockout push.
The last time these teams played in Week 2 was the last time we saw 49ers sophomore quarterback Trey Lance on the field. He was replaced in that game by Jimmy Garoppolo after suffering a severe ankle injury. Three months went by quickly, and Garoppolo is currently out for the rest of the year because of a leg injury. So the Niners are in their third QB this season, Brock purea player that the Seahawks (or any other team) have very little film about.
Let’s be honest, though. No one outside the Puget Sound region expects Seattle to be anywhere near contention by the end of this season. Even if they missed out, the Seahawks could still end up with a all-win record and one of the top three picks in next spring’s draw. Yes, the Broncos are that bad, in case you forgot. Carroll looks like a genius because this season lasts later Russell Wilson purchase. Regardless of how this year ends, Seattle looks like it will be in good shape going forward.
Another variable in this game for the Seahawks will be facing offense in San Francisco for the first time with Christian McCaffrey. Jeff Wilson Jr. did most of the heavy lifting in the backyard the last time these teams faced off — and now he’s with Mike McDaniel in Miami. It will be interesting to see how Carroll’s defensive game plan looks for McCaffrey in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Carroll’s defense last faced Run CMC was in Week 15 of the 2019 season, and he knocked out the ‘Hawks for a total of 175 yards and two hasty touchdowns. And that’s Carolina’s bad offense.
One advantage in Seattle’s favor is that they won’t have to worry about how to stop both McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel. It’s almost unfair that both people can line up anywhere on the field. But Samuel is sidelined with knee and ankle injuries but will return before the official season ends. So that’s one less weapon for the Seahawks to prepare, although George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk, among others, will be present.
In short, the Seahawks must find a way against this explosive Niners team and score enough points against the No. 1 defense in the NFL if they are to take their playoff hopes seriously. by Geno Smith revival As the starting QB in this league has fueled the Seahawks, although they have cooled down recently, losing 3 of their last 4 games, including a tough L game against the Panthers last week.
Seattle should treat this game as a must-win because a loss here could mean they’ll be outside the top seven in the convention. The only thing left for the 49ers other than winning the NFC West would be to catch the Minnesota Vikings for the 2nd seed. But with just one goodbye per game, getting the second seed isn’t as appealing as it used to be. .
