NFL playoffs Seahawks upset bid overshadowed by Vikings Cowboys
There’s been a ton of chatter this week about who’s on upset alert, and most of that speak has surrounded two NFC groups vulnerable to shedding in probably the most extravagant methods attainable in terms of the playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings are 2.5- and 3-point favorites, respectively, in matchups towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants, and that’s comprehensible given the groups’ histories. But, I’m not solely bought on the San Francisco 49ers waltzing into the following spherical.
Granted the Seattle Seahawks spent the previous 5 weeks attempting to lose the scent of an underdog and their playoff bid, however one thing about postseason divisional matchups makes me uneasy. These two NFC West foes confronted off in Weeks 2 and 15, and neither was significantly shut. San Francisco additionally has received 10 in a row and has the look of a squad peaking on the proper time, set for an additional deep run within the postseason.
But if you study these 13 wins, you’ll discover they’ve beat 4 playoff groups all 12 months — Seattle twice, Tampa Bay, the Chargers, and Miami — and solely one in all them is greater than three video games above .500. (And that workforce is the Chargers for fuck’s sake.) I do know you’ll be able to solely play who’s in your schedule, however that doesn’t imply they’re this battle-tested juggernaut.
So permit me to make the case of the individuals of the Pacific Northwest as a result of nobody else will.
The 49ers don’t have loads of flaws, however QB inexperience is one in all them
The win over Seattle was QB Brock Purdy’s second begin, and the Niner’s third-string QB is an ideal 5-0 since taking on for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo. Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system is so environment friendly, and the workforce is so gifted, that he doesn’t want his quarterback to be prolific. Deebo Samuel acquired harm towards Tampa in Purdy’s second time seeing motion, and it hasn’t mattered a lot. The vast receiver/working again hybrid did return in Week 18, and touched the ball thrice for twenty-four yards, so San Francisco is enjoying with a full complement of ability gamers.
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Nevertheless, Seattle additionally may have all of its go-to playmakers as Tyler Lockett returned within the common season finale, and Kenneth Walker III is again to his unconventional but extraordinarily efficient self. That’s nice information for Pete Carroll and Geno Smith as a result of the Niners are permitting league lows in factors (16) and yards (300) per recreation, and the Hawks’ protection is within the backside third of each these stats.
Run CMC vs. Seattle’s run D
Based mostly on that, probably the most essential matchup of Saturday’s recreation is Christian McCaffery (pictured above) and the 49er working recreation versus the Seahawk rush protection. That’s why if Smith and Co. need to shock the world, they’re going to have to leap out early, or get a rookie mistake… from a rookie. Positive, Purdy overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to Las Vegas, however blowing double-digit second-half leads was the Raiders’ defining attribute this season. Let’s see Purdy perspire a little bit bit earlier than we declare him the following Tom Brady.
We’ve acquired a first-timer right here
This shall be Mr. Irrelevant’s first playoff look — and likewise his first time going through a workforce twice. Having movie on, and recreation expertise towards a quarterback is sort of a beginning pitcher’s third time via the lineup. Two of Purdy’s 5 wins primarily performed underneath preseason situations, that is simply his sixth begin, and enjoying quarterback isn’t this straightforward, even underneath Shanahan.
Seattle has overcome the chances for the reason that Russell Wilson commerce
Whereas most individuals have been ready for the Seahawks to go away all season with the intention to get off their Geno jokes — and I used to be responsible of some earlier than the 12 months — I deleted that draft folder. With the way in which he’s carried out, and with Pete Carroll yelling “hurrah” in his ear the previous 5 months, it is a good narrative for a coach to beat over his quarterback’s head. And what’s Carroll’s biggest energy if not motivation?
I imply have a look at all of the issues he can pin to his (I’m assuming) outsized bulletin board:
- It’s onerous to beat a workforce thrice
- We’re not afraid of a divisional opponent
- Each pundits’ picks
- The ten-point unfold
- An image of Purdy
- An image of Geno
I’m certain there’s extra — and I’m certain everybody on the Hawks’ 53-man roster is sick of them. You understand Pom Pom Pete’s practices have been glorified pep rallies all week, and he’s been sprinting round, screaming, and clapping like a lunatic.
Normally, the primary recreation of Wild Card weekend is the Thursday Evening Soccer of the bunch. (Are we certain this isn’t on Amazon?) However cease treating it prefer it’s TCU-Georgia, although technically I’m doing that. These are NFL rosters. What number of instances did you get fucked by a double-digit favourite this season alone?
I’m simply saying don’t be stunned if the sport everybody least expects to be shut finally ends up much more aggressive than the specialists lead you to imagine.
