And then there were two. The NFC Championship has come down to two teams from the NFC West. The showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks was exactly what everyone wanted. This game is sure to be one of the more physical ones in recent memory. The fact that these two teams are clearly the best two in the NFC is a true testament to just how good the NFC West is. Whoever wins this game should be the favorite to win the Super Bowl.
Let’s take a look at the match up:
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks survived a late game surge by the Saints. They got off to a hot start much like the regular season meeting. Drew Brees and the Saints came back to make it a game but just ran out of time. Marshawn Lynch proved to be the best weapon against the Saints as he rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns. They got him going throughout the game and he took some pressure off of Russell Wilson. The Seahawks wanted to control the game and ride Lynch to the win.
The 49ers tried to get the running game going early but quickly abandoned it once it was not working for them. Frank Gore only had seven carries in the first half. He ended up with 17 carries after getting the ball ten more times in the second half. One of those carries was a 39 yard run that set the 49ers up for another score. Kaepernick also played well with timely rushing attempts and attacking the line of scrimmage to open things up for his receivers. It led to a touchdown for Vernon Davis.
Key Matchup Anquan Boldin/Michael Crabtree vs Byron Maxwwell/Richard Sherman
The Seahawks like to use a lot of man coverage. They will let their corners take on the opposing receivers and encourage them to press the receivers at the line. Sherman and Maxwell will need to win the one on one match ups when they face the Boldin and Crabtree. If they can win on the outside and in the slot, they will make the throws for Kaepernick a lot easier. Boldin made a few plays against the Seahawks in their last game at Candlestick Park. This match up will have a major factor on how this game falls out.
THE VERDICT
49ers 20 Seahawks 14
This game will come down to which defense will be able to contain the opposing dynamic quarterback. Both Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson are very good at extending plays and making things happen down field. They both attack the line of scrimmage with their eyes down field. Kaepernick is a bit more explosive with his running ability. That’s not to say that Wilson can’t make plays happen by scrambling.
The receiver duo of Crabtree and Boldin will be challenged by the physical Seahawk corners but both will beat the press coverage that Seattle throws at them. Their ability to win at the line of scrimmage should make it easier to get the short passing game going. The 49ers will need to employ that because of how quickly the Seahawks can get to the quarterback. Crabtree has also become a solid boundary receiver.
The Seahawks defense is playing very well. They pitched a shutout against the Saints in the first half of the playoffs. Their pass defense is one of the better units in the NFL. Earl Thomas does an excellent job of playing centerfield. Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright spearhead a very solid linebacker corps that is very athletic. Their pass rush is ferocious. Cliff Avrill and Michael Bennett have given the defensive line a couple of guys that get to the quarterback in a hurry.
Kaepernick will have to deliver the ball in tight windows because of the coverage that the Seahawks bring forth. He will throw a touchdown to Vernon Davis and Frank Gore will rush for a touchdown as well. Phil Dawson has been good on a few game winners lately. He will put the game away with a late field goal this week.
The 49ers defense is coming into it’s own. Aldon Smith was able to find some success in the first week and this is a great week for him to continue on his tear. Justin Smith is healthy and will always hold his own against offensive linemen. Ahmad Brooks has 4.5 sacks in the playoffs so get ready to see him continue to make some plays. In conclusion, we have to point out how well Willis and Bowman are playing. Bowman specifically has started to establish himself as a closer. He has made some very big plays at the end of a few games.
