NFC Wild Card 

(7) Seattle Seahawks at (2) San Francisco 49ers

Seahawks: It hasn’t been the best display of football for them. They were one of the key surprises this season. After trading Russell Wilson back last March, that just screamed they were rebuilding after trading away the man that helped bring a Super Bowl to the city of Seattle. Let’s fast forward to now. Russell will be home watching the postseason like the rest of us, and his former team just snuck in because of the Detroit Lions handling business on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers. Geno Smith is Comeback Player of the Year in my eyes. Everyone truly did doubt him and I’m glad he didn’t write them back (his words). Pete Carroll also deserves some Coach of the Year love. Many experts had the Seattle Seahawks finishing with only three wins in the 2022 season and here they are with nine wins and sitting in the final spot of the NFC Playoffs. Their offense got back to running the football, something they struggled to do the final few years of Wilson’s tenure with the team. Kenneth Walker III has given them a balance that’s necessary to help open the passing game. The one thing I’ve noticed about Geno is his leadership. He rallies the troops around him, and his guys just follow. Leadership isn’t always about being vocal. It’s sometimes leading by example and not saying anything. He’s been a big reason why the Seahawks have had such a successful season. On Saturday, they will kick off Super Wild Card Weekend.

49ers: What a year it’s been for them. First, they elect to start Trey Lance at Quarterback, he gets hurt in week two. Then, they put Jimmy Garoppolo back in and they looked like geniuses for resigning him when they did, and it made sense because he knows the offense and the ins and outs of it. He’s been there for a few years, and I think he hasn’t received the respect he deserves. When he was the starter, they were in a Super Bowl and just last year, they were a game away from getting back to the Super Bowl. Then, he breaks his foot and it’s the Brock Purdy show. Since he’s stepped on the field, the 49ers haven’t missed a beat. He hasn’t had to do much. Just control things as I mentioned a few weeks ago, hand the ball off, make a pass when the opportunity presents itself and everything else will handle itself. This team has been one of the hottest in the league as they’ve won ten games in a row. Five of those have come with Brock under center. I just see a team that plays hard for one another, and they play with passion. This defense now..! This is the best unit in the league and it isn’t even close as far as I’m concerned and it starts with the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year in Nick Bosa. Isn’t it amazing how one person’s presence can make all the difference? He’s been relatively healthy and has put together the best season of his career. They will host a home playoff game on Saturday afternoon.

Seahawks X-Factor: Tyler Lockett– I respect the passion he plays with. Tyler doesn’t speak much. He’s a silent assassin. Also, he’s not a big guy at all. He’s about 5’9 but plays as if he’s 6’4. Not many smaller receivers can go and get the deep pass down the field such as Tyler. He knows how to position himself to make the best possible play. He’s great, short, intermediate and can run the deep routes to take the top off a coverage. When Geno gets him the ball, it just falls right into his hands. Tyler is the total package at receiver.

49ers X-Factor: Jauan Jennings– With George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, it’s understandable why Jauan would fly under the radar. He’s become that one piece you get the ball too on third down and to move those chains. Jauan has also been a reliable target in the red area of the field. Because of everyone else and the attention they command, he’s often free in space and sees many single looks. He’s tough to bring down with the ball in his hands and he fights for those yards.

Final Thoughts: Super Wild Card Weekend is here! This will be their first meeting between these two in the playoffs since that infamous NFC Championship game when Richard Sherman reintroduced himself to the world. Again, who saw the Seahawks here? This was supposed to be a down year for them. Talk about a team exceeding expectation. The 49ers have turned on the switch and are clicking at the right time. This San Francisco defense gave Geno problems in the regular season, and I expect that to continue here on Saturday. The only way the Seahawks have a chance in this game is through the air with the passing game because there’s no running on this 49ers defense which is ranked at the top when it comes to playing the run. For San Fran, it’s Brock Purdy’s first playoff start. The key to his success has been taking care of the football. What also sets the 49ers apart from many other teams is their consistency in the red zone. Look for that to also be a difference.

Prediction: 49ers 31, Seahawks 17