Photo Credit: ESPN

For the first time since the 2022 season, the Seattle Seahawks are in the playoffs, and for the first time since 2016, the Seahawks are hosting a playoff game. With Wild Card Weekend wrapping up last Monday and the Seahawks earning a first-round bye for the first time since 2014, us Seahawks fans didn’t have to stress too much and could just watch and enjoy playoff football.

But we were definitely watching to see who the Seahawks would play in the Divisional Round.

We didn’t have to wait long, as we found out Sunday evening that the Seahawks were going to take on a familiar opponent, the San Francisco 49ers. The same team they had just beaten 13–3 two weeks ago to secure the number one seed and the division.

The 49ers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 23–19 on Sunday, but now they have to make the trip to Lumen Field to take on the Seahawks and the 12s. Seattle beat San Francisco a week ago, but the stakes are much, much higher this time.

This is also Seattle’s first Divisional Round appearance since 2019, so it’s been a long time coming. Jarran Reed, Jason Myers, and Michael Dickson are the only players remaining from that 2019 squad, so for everyone else, this is brand-new territory. However, I think this team is ready for the challenge—especially the defense.

The Seahawks have been led by their defense all year long, and it’s been the biggest reason they finished as the number one seed. They’re led up front by Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, and DeMarcus Lawrence. At linebacker, All-Pro Ernest Jones and Drake Thomas anchor the unit. Then there are the monsters in the secondary, Devon Witherspoon, Julian Love, Coby Bryant, and Nick Emmanwori.

No team wants to play this defense, and I’m sure the 49ers don’t either, especially after Seattle held them to just three points two weeks ago. Now, San Francisco heads into this game with a huge hole on the offensive side of the ball. All-Pro tight end George Kittle tore his Achilles last week in Philadelphia and will miss this game and likely part of next season. Kittle is a massive part of the 49ers’ offense and their best pass catcher, so this is a huge blow.

The Seahawks dominated the 49ers the last time these teams played. Even though Seattle only scored 13 points, it should have been much more. They still got the win despite being stopped on fourth-and-goal and Myers missing two makeable field goals.The run game led the charge, with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet both having very solid games.

With the bye week, the Seahawks should be able to get some guys healthy, especially left tackle Charles Cross and tight end Elijah Arroyo. Unfortunately, Tory Horton is still out and has been for a while with a shin injury.

The Seahawks ended the regular season with a win over the 49ers and now hope to start the playoffs the same way.

As always, here are my three keys for a Seahawks win.

Stop Christian McCaffrey

This was my first point in my last article, Three Keys for a Seahawks Win Over the 49ers, and it was huge. The Seahawks held McCaffrey to just 58 total yards and didn’t let the 49ers’ offense get going at all.

They need to do whatever it takes to slow McCaffrey down again, because especially without Kittle, and even though other players have stepped up, this offense will run through CMC.

Score in the Red Zone

Seattle was stopped in the red zone multiple times against the 49ers the last time these teams played. Even though some field goals were missed, this key could really be summed up as,score points.

The Seahawks have played the 49ers twice this season and have yet to score more than 13 points. That won’t fly in the playoffs, even though it did in the regular season. The Seahawks’ offense needs to play a complete game and capitalize on scoring opportunities—wherever they come.

The 12s

The Seahawks have home-field advantage for the first time since 2014, and not only that,they have one of the best home-field advantages in all of sports— the 12th Man.

Seahawks fans are some of the loudest in all of sports, and we know how much we impact the game. I want to see the fans into it from the very start. From the moment the 12th Man flag is raised, I want Lumen Field as loud as it can possibly be.

The fans can help the Seahawks start fast, keep the 49ers’ offense uncomfortable, and prevent them from communicating.

Score Prediction

Seattle Seahawks 24, San Francisco 49ers 17

I expect this game to be low-scoring and to come down to the fourth quarter, with the Seahawks pulling it out.

Kickoff is Saturday at 5:00 PM in Seattle.