NFL
By: Brock Vierra
Sitting at 13-4 while possessing the number two seed in the NFC has the San Francisco 49ers placed in prime position to make their second consecutive trip to the NFC Championship game and their third in four years. A largely successful tenure under HC Kyle Shanahan saw the Niners capture the NFC West behind one of the league’s most dominant defenses.
The Good: Unless they play Philadelphia in the NFCCG, San Francisco will have home-field advantage in the playoffs. Their opening game is against the Seattle Seahawks whom they’ve beaten twice in the regular season via a combined score of 48-20. The two things a team needs to win in the postseason is a run game and a solid defense and the Niners have both. The running back room is led by mid-season acquisition Christian McCaffery who has posted over 1000 yards from scrimmage with 10 touchdowns in 10 games this season. He has even thrown a TD as well. Down-field runner Elijah Mitchell and rookie Jordan Mason provide a hard-nosed attack that has penetrated defenses throughout the season. No major injuries will sideline the Niners’ eligible players and a Trent Williams led offensive line looks to put the hurt on the Seahawks.
A defense led by All-Pros Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Talanoa Hufanga gives the Niners coverage on every level. A dominant defensive line that continues to improve with the emergence of rookie Drake Jackson will be tasked with stifling OROTY candidate Kenneth Walker, something I expect them to do well. Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans looks to improve his resume while other NFL ball clubs have expressed interest in his coaching services.
Robbie Gould has never missed a field goal or extra point in the postseason and his experience in the bitter Chicago cold shows he can convert critical kicks in any weather. Last year at Green Bay is the best example of that.
The Bad: The Raiders absolutely torched the Niners zone coverage two weeks ago and with the big target threat of D.K. Metcalf and the ability for Tyler Lockett to find holes in zone coverage, both could give San Francisco problems if they can’t get to Geno Smith constantly. The Seahawks are also playing with house money as no one is expected to make the playoffs entering week 18 or at all after trading Russell Wilson. Seattle also has a Super Bowl winning coach on their sideline with a defense looking like the next version of the Legion of Boom. Breakout rookie corner Tariq Woolen is a turnover monster, ending his 2022 campaign as the NFL’s co-interceptions leader. On the other end, CB Mike Jackson isn’t afraid to make a tackle and S Quandre Diggs is one of the most opportunistic defenders in the NFL.
Uchenna Nwosu had a career year in 2022 and Shelby Harris is still a dominant force on the defensive line. Both will attempt to make Mr. Irrelevant and undefeated Starting QB Brock Purdy uncomfortable as he makes his first playoff start. Kyle Shanahan’s tenure in the Bay has been tormented by the amount of Quarterback injuries his teams have suffered. Purdy who has impressed up to this point is the 6th QB to start a game for the Niners in Shanahan’s 6 years as the head man.
The Call: The Niners will win this game but it will be much more competitive than we expect. The Seahawks have two games worth of film and have nothing to lose with this matchup. Expect Seattle to pull out some tricks and test the Niners with deep shots early. However as the game goes on, Seattle’s rookie tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas will find it difficult to contain the Niners pass rushers. As long as Brock Purdy stays true to himself and doesn’t play hero ball, the Niners will be solid on offense. Kyle Shanahan always draws up a solid, run-based offensive attack, and the YAC monsters of Christian McCaffery, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk will do all the work. The sure-handedness of Jauan Jennings and George Kittle will be perfect check-down options for him. However, Purdy’s over-reliance on Kittle could come back to bite him if he targets the Tight End too often.
Don’t be surprised to see a touchdown from Kyle Juszczyk whom Shanahan loves to go to in short-yardage situations. However, Talanoa Hufanga’s play from the first half of the season to now had dropped and his man coverage skills have been called into question. He is the major question on this defense. I have the Niners 27-23.
