In the most anticipated match-up in the final week of the NFL regular season, the Seattle Seahawks shut down the red-hot San Francisco 49ers to capture both the NFC’s top seed and the NFC West division in hostile territory tonight.
Seahawks Defense Pummels Brock Purdy and the Niners Offense
After putting on a masterclass performance last week in Seattle’s dominant win against the Carolina Panthers, the Seahawks’ defense put on an encore performance against the hottest offense in the league tonight. The 173 total yards the Niners gained on offense were the lowest in a game since San Francisco star QB Brock Purdy returned under center in week 11.
The Seahawks were also able to get multiple third-down stops against the best third-down offense in the league this season, as the Niners only converted 2 of their 9 third downs in the game. Those third-down stops led to 4 punts from the Niners, who ended up with more punts this game than they did in the entire month of December.
Seahawks Ground Attack Feasts on Depleted Niners Defense
Coming into the game, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald emphasized the need for Seattle to continue leaning on its much-improved run game, and that approach more than delivered tonight.
The Seahawks used the two-headed monster at running back in Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet to perfection in the win. Both Walker III and Charbonnet finished with 97 yards and 74 yards rushing apiece, as the Seahawks gashed the Niners for 180 total yards on the ground.
While the passing game for Seattle wasn’t as gaudy stats-wise as they’ve usually been this season, it was still an effective game for the Seahawks in that department. Star QB and two-time Pro Bowler Sam Darnold threw for an efficient 198 yards while also not committing any turnovers in a clean game overall for Seattle.
Niners Injuries Finally Catch Up to Them in Loss
Injuries have been nothing new for the Niners this season, but the absence of future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams and top receiver Ricky Pearsall was evidently too much for the Niners to overcome.
Both players’ absences allowed the Seahawks defense to zero in on the Niners superstar running back, Christian McCaffrey, who was held in check throughout the game. The four-time Pro Bowler finished the game with just 23 yards rushing in what is undoubtedly McCaffrey’s worst game of the season.
The Niners’ passing game was also thoroughly shut down as Brock Purdy finished the game with only 127 yards passing and zero touchdowns. Tonight’s game was the first time this season that Purdy finished with zero passing touchdowns.
Seahawks Dream Season Nearing Completion
After a three-year stretch that saw the Seahawks lose both Hall of Fame head coach Pete Carroll and franchise legend Russell Wilson, this season has been everything Seattle fans could’ve dreamed of.
Tonight’s win gave the Seahawks a plethora of things they haven’t seen in quite some time, such as their first division title since 2020, their first playoff appearance since 2022, and their first time since 2014 of clinching the NFC’s number one seed.
The only thing missing from that list is a Super Bowl, which the Seahawks have not won since 2013. However, with the way the Seahawks are playing at this point in the season, that streak could likely be broken too.
