SANTA CLARA, CA — The San Francisco 49ers hosted the Seattle Seahawks for the Wild Card round of the ‘22-’23 NFL Playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Levi’s Stadium. Rookie Phenom and backup quarterback Brock Purdy remained undefeated as the 49ers flattened the Seahawks 41-23.
The acclaimed Niners’ defense got off to a great start as they forced two punts to open the contest. San Francisco took advantage on offense and scored on three straight possessions. K Robbie Gould hit a 34-yard field goal to put the Niners up 3-0 with 10:13 remaining in the first quarter.
QB Brock Purdy got San Francisco into the endzone when he hit Christian McCaffrey for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 5:11 to go in the first.
Seattle finally responded when QB Geno Smith orchestrated a 14-play, 78-yard drive to put the Seahawks on the board. RB Kenneth Walker carried the ball into the endzone from seven yards out to make the score 10-7 with 13:14 remaining in the second quarter.
After San Francisco added another field goal, Seattle took the lead for the first time in the contest. Smith hit WR DK Metcalf deep down the field for a 50-yard touchdown pass. The explosive receiver beat the defense and scored to make the game 14-13. Both teams traded field goals to end the half, and Seattle led at the break 17-16.
The 49ers looked like a completely different team in the second half. They had the ball five times in the half and scored on every single one but the last to end the game. First, Purdy led a 13-play, 75-yard drive on the Niners' opening possession for a touchdown. Purdy punched the ball into the endzone from one yard out to give San Francisco the lead. The 49ers never trailed again.
The Seahawks fell apart offensively in the second half. Following the San Francisco touchdown, the Seahawks drove deep into San Francisco’s territory before Ominehu sacked Smith and caused a fumble. Nick Bosa jumped on the ball, and the Niners took over.
After two more San Francisco touchdowns and a Seattle punt, the Seahawks trailed 38-17. Seattle had one more opportunity to get back into the game, but Smith threw an interception on a pass intended for WR Tyler Lockett.
The 49ers added one more touchdown to put the game away. Seattle scored again in garbage time, but San Francisco won 41-23.
The 49ers entered the NFC bracket of the playoffs as the No. 2 seed. That resulted in them drawing the lowest seed to open the postseason. Since the No. 1 seed is on a bye for this round, the Niners played No. 7 Seattle.
Because the 49ers beat the Seahawks on Saturday, San Francisco advances to the Divisional Round. They'd play the second-lowest remaining seed in the postseason following Wild Card Weekend, while the 1-seed draws the lowest-ranked team. As the 2-seed, the 49ers would be at home again in the Divisional Round.
49ers Defeat the Seattle Seahawks
(Credit: twitter.com/@49ers)
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: