The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers are set to meet in a pivotal Week 18 showdown that will determine the top seed in the NFC playoffs. This Saturday night clash not only holds significance for playoff positioning but also guarantees the winner home-field advantage and a first-round bye.
With the playoffs effectively starting early for both teams, Kyle Shanahan, the head coach of the 49ers, emphasized the importance of home-field advantage in football, stating, “I think in football, out of all sports, home-field advantage is the biggest advantage because I think crowd noise truly affects the game in terms of pass rush and things like that.” He added, “If that doesn”t work out, we”re excited to go on the road, too.”
This matchup is particularly rare, as it marks only the fourth instance since the NFL introduced seeding in 1975 where two teams enter the final week of the season with the winner assured of securing the No. 1 seed, according to Sportradar. Last season, Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold faced a similar situation, ultimately losing with the Minnesota Vikings against the Detroit Lions.
Historically, significant end-of-season matchups like this have occurred infrequently, with notable instances including the 1993 clash between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. In 2019, the 49ers clinched the top seed in a tightly contested game against the Seahawks, sealed by a dramatic tackle from linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Reflecting on that game, Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed remarked, “That game right there definitely left a sour taste in my mouth. You don”t forget those types of games; it”s a big moment. We”re not going to shy away from that.” He acknowledged the stakes, saying, “Everything is on the line right now, and we know that.”
Despite the presence of star running back Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers” running game struggled for much of the season. However, they have experienced a resurgence in recent weeks, averaging 4.69 yards per carry in their last three games. McCaffrey attributed this improvement to a collective effort, stating, “There”s not one answer. I think it”s 11 guys just committing to it.”
The Seahawks have also seen a turnaround, highlighted by a thrilling 38-37 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Rams and a strong performance against the Carolina Panthers, where Zach Charbonnet rushed for a season-high 110 yards. However, they will face a significant challenge against the 49ers” sixth-ranked rushing defense, which averages 103 yards allowed per game.
Quarterback Brock Purdy has been in exceptional form for San Francisco, throwing for 893 yards and 11 touchdowns in the past three games. The Seahawks will need to apply pressure on the 49ers” offensive line, especially since tackle Trent Williams may miss the game due to a hamstring injury.
In a unique twist, the scheduling of this Saturday night game poses challenges for both teams. Seattle is recovering from a cross-country trip while San Francisco is navigating a compressed schedule after a Monday night game. Shanahan commented on the situation, saying, “Once you find out, you spend 10 seconds bitter about it, and then you say, “It is what it is,” which is how it always is.”
As both teams prepare for this critical matchup, the tension is palpable. As Reed stated, “Saturday is going to speak for itself.”
