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nick wagner
Santa Clara, California – Even Seattle Seahawks Dominated them right from the initial kick-off san francisco 49ers‘The dream of stealing the NFC’s top seed was still alive with a little more than 10 minutes remaining in Saturday’s game.
After struggling to find any offensive rhythm over the first 49 minutes, the Niners reached Seattle’s 6-yard line with 10:27 left and had a chance to score their first touchdown and narrow the Seahawks’ lead to three.
quarterback brock purdy Took the snap of the gun and fired right flat to run back Christian McCaffreyBut the Seahawks linebacker boy sorry The pass was bounced, forcing McCaffrey to turn his shoulders back inward as he tried in vain to pull it inside.
The ball, and San Francisco’s hopes of winning the NFC West, bounced out of McCaffrey’s hands and into the arms of a Seahawks linebacker drake thomas For an interception that effectively ended any chances of a comeback as Seattle escaped with one win 13-3,
This was one of the few missed opportunities for the Niners to clinch the NFC’s top seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. When it was over, a disappointed McCaffrey took the blame for the missed opportunity.
“It’s a play I have to make,” McCaffrey said. “Definitely have to be made. [I] Don’t expect anything other than making that play. It’s completely on me.”
On a night when the Niners allowed 173 yards of offense, their lowest total in a regular season game since coach Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017, they still had a chance to win thanks to a little special teams luck and a bend-but-to-break defense.
There was a fourth-and-2 pass that Purdy was unable to complete to the tight end george kittel If Purdy had another time to throw it would have been a big play. In the third quarter, the Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Zach Charbonnet The ball was loose and the Niners’ defensive linemen failed to connect the handoff. Yetur Gross-Matos A prime opportunity to reclaim it deep into Seattle territory was missed.
Gross-Matos said the ball “just bounced” as he attempted to recover Charbonnet after it fell. Two plays later, Seattle converted a third-and-17 for a 19-yard gain.
The result was a catastrophic loss that left the 49ers at 12–5 and facing a far more difficult path to postseason success. Depending on other results, the Niners will likely have to play three road games at Levi’s Stadium to reach Super Bowl LX.
“We’re ready for it,” Shanahan said. “It would have been nice to have both home games and get a bye, but it is what it is. This team has been through a lot this year. Now, we’ve got to do it the hard way and avoid doing it the hard way.”
Without a bye week, the 49ers will have less time to rest and recuperate before their playoff journey begins. Purdy was shocked at the end of Saturday’s game when Shanahan described a sting in his left shoulder. While Shanahan said Purdy would have been able to re-enter the game if San Francisco had gotten the ball back, the quarterback said he was OK.
“I feel good,” Purdy said. “Just got hit and burned on the left shoulder.”
The Niners will also monitor linebacker injuries; beginning tatum bethune (waist) and Dee Winters (Ankle) left the game and will require further imaging before his status can be determined for next week.
San Francisco will also be hoping for a left tackle trent williams (hamstring) and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall To return after missing Saturday’s game (knee, ankle). Shanahan said they would have been closer to playing if the game had been on Sunday, but said it was “too risky” to play them on Saturday night.
Now, the 49ers will spend Sunday watching the scoreboard as they await information about their first playoff opponent and destination.
If Los Angeles Rams defeat the Arizona CardinalsThe 49ers will be the No. 6 seed and will travel philadelphia Or chicagoAs long as Chicago doesn’t lose, they will face the Eagles, detroit And Philadelphia, which plans to rest starters, beats Washington,
If the Cardinals beat or tie the Rams, the Niners will be the No. 5 seed and will play the winner of the NFC South, either tampa bay buccaneers Or carolina panthersOne atlanta falcons overcome New Orleans Saints On Sunday that means the Niners will face Carolina; If New Orleans wins or ties, their opponent will be Tampa Bay.
Kittle explained what outcome he’s hoping for. When asked about his preference for an opponent, Kittle said he expected the Cardinals to be protected. Budda Baker Has three interception returns for touchdowns and a tight end trey mcbride Chips in 200 receiving yards and three scores.
“Would I like to be on a bye and get a chance to play at Levi Stadium? Yes,” Kittle said. “But that’s not our reality. … I don’t like losing to the Seahawks, but hey, we’ve got to play football next week. … Go Cardinals.”
