The upcoming NFC Divisional Round will see the Seattle Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers, but the scheduling has caused quite a stir. Following the 49ers” recent victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his frustration with the NFL”s decision to schedule their next playoff game on Saturday instead of Sunday, stating that it would have been “cool” if the league had shown some “understanding.”
This matchup marks the third encounter of the season between the two teams, and for the 49ers, it comes with the challenge of playing on a shorter rest period. The last time they faced this situation was in Week 17 of the previous regular season, transitioning from a Monday game to a Sunday game. Despite the rest disadvantage, Shanahan has benefited from similar scheduling breaks as the top seed in past seasons.
Adding to the intrigue, former NFL coach Tony Dungy weighed in on the situation, which is surprising given his typical demeanor. Dungy, known for his philosophy in his book “Quiet Strength,” noted the importance of controlling one”s attitude and response to circumstances rather than complaining. He emphasized that teams must focus on winning the games in front of them, regardless of external factors.
This year, the 49ers will face the Seahawks without key players such as George Kittle and linebacker Tatum Bethune, both of whom are out due to injuries sustained recently. The Seahawks will be looking to capitalize on this situation as they prepare to host the 49ers in what promises to be a pivotal playoff showdown.
As the teams gear up for this crucial game, the question remains whether the 49ers can match or exceed their performance from Week 18 against Seattle. With both teams vying for a spot in the NFC Championship Game, fans can expect an intense battle in this rubber match.
