Seattle, WA — Although the Seattle Seahawks (11-5) rallied back from a 13-0 halftime deficit, the home team still fell short in the end. The San Francisco 49ers (13-3) have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC and take the NFC West title with the win, 26-21.
No Call, No Home Field
In order for the Seahawks to have had home-field advantage during their first playoff game; it was vital to close out Sunday night’s match-up with the 49ers.
Seattle was close to completing what would’ve been a crazy comeback led by Russell Wilson, who finished 25-of-30 for 233 yards. However, the Seahawks drive with just a little under two minutes remaining was definitely a head scratcher and something fans will talk about for the remainder of the football season.
Lined up on the 49ers 12-yard line, Wilson tried to get one in to Jacob Hollister in the end zone. Hollister was not able to retrieve the ball, however, this gave off the feelings of last years NFC Championship game. Because San Francisco’s Fred Warner got away with a clear pass interference… that wasn’t called by the refs.
Pete Carrol wasn’t allowed to challenge the call because in the last two minutes of the contest coaches are prohibited from challenging. However, the refs didn’t even take time to look at the replay.
NFL senior VP of officiating Al Riveron said the play was looked at in New York but based on the replay there wasn’t enough evidence to stop the game for a further look. As the week progresses, there will be storylines stating it was a pass interference before week’s end, but to miss that definitely took the air out the stadium and to Seattle as a team.
The Seattle “12th man” has always been huge field advantage against opposing teams. Simply just being at home in their own environment would have been much easier to weather the storms ahead in their upcoming game. Thanks to poor officiating Sunday, the Seahawks will travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in hopes to continue this journey towards the title.
What Does This Win Mean for 49ers?
San Francisco has to be taking a sigh of relief after that performance. In addition, it has to be surreal for Richard Sherman to have won the NFC West crown against his former team in Seattle.
San Francisco is now the NFC West Division title holder. The NFC will go through them for the first time since 1997. In addition, sitting at the number one seed, the 49ers will have a bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time in 22 years.
Jimmy Garoppolo displayed grace and dominance the entire contest. He finished throwing 18-for-22 for 285 yards. He completed his first nine passes in the game and didn’t commit a single turnover.
This was a team that withstood the Seahawks’ late game surge after really controlling the game the entire way. Even with running back Marshawn Lynch getting the crowd pumped with his 1-yard touchdown to pull Seattle within 5 (19-14), the 49ers went downfield on their next possession and Garoppolo displayed a Picasso like effort. He found George Kittle almost effortlessly. The drive was capped off thanks to a 13-yard run by Raheem Mostert to extend their lead (26-14).
It’s drives like that that have made San Francisco such a scary team, yet, a fun one to watch. In addition, fans can’t think this team will show any signs of slowing down. With the No. 1 seed, this is a squad that will look to do damage in the playoffs.
But there’s a word of caution to their season tale.
Although, this victory does mean that there is a possibility the 49ers may see the Seahawks again, in the NFC Championship. San Francisco will be playing the lowest seeded team.
Who Leads the Matchups between the two?
If the 49ers and Seattle Seahawks were to meet again, statistics show, it will be sure to be another close game. In their overall matchups, the Seahawks lead the series 26-6.
The Seahawks also took down the 49ers in postseason play January 19, 2014. This stat late in the season should not matter; but the Hawks will come with a vengeance, and a chip on their shoulder. And if you love a thrill, just like me, you’ll be sure to wish on a star, that these two powerhouses meet again.
UP NEXT
San Francisco: The 49ers will have a bye and host the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Seattle: The Seahawks will travel to Philadelphia in the opening round of the playoffs next Sunday, Jan. 5 at 4:40pm EST.
