It’s time for the NFL playoffs. The cream has risen to the top, as the sports cliche goes. And the teams that didn’t qualify are pondering why — and positioning themselves for the NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL going into the playoffs, winning their last ten games in a row heading into Super Wild Card Weekend as they face off against their hated NFC West arch-rival Seattle Seahawks.
San Francisco 49ers 2022-2023 Record
The San Francisco 49ers finished the regular season with a 13-4 record, the second seen in the NFC playoffs, and the NFC West division title.
San Francisco 49ers Weekend Opponent
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NFL WEEK ONE POSTSEASON SCHEDULE
The San Francisco 49ers kickoff Super Wildcard weekend against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday, January 15th, at 1:30 pm PST. After, the Jacksonville Jaguars host star quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in Jacksonville at 5:15 pm PST.
Three games are scheduled on Sunday as Miami heads to AFC East division rival Buffalo as the Bills host the Dolphins. Then the New York Giants head to Minnesota to take on the Vikings, and after, the Cincinnati Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night to cap off the Sunday slate of games. Super Wild Card Weekend concludes with a juicy matchup as Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
San Francisco 49ers Trending Story Heading Into the Playoffs
The San Francisco 49ers have had a roller-coaster season with their first two quarterbacks suffering a season-ending leg injury and a rookie seventh-round draft pick, Brock Purdy, leading the way to a division title, the second seed in the NFC playoff picture, and all in his first six games in the NFL.
A story to watch is how Purdy will perform in his first-ever playoff game for the San Francisco 49ers. Saturday is also the first time in Purdy’s young career that he faces a team for the second time. It will be fascinating to see how he and the San Francisco 49ers adjust to Seattle’s game plan, being that is the third time they face off against each other this season.
WHAT IS GOING RIGHT?
Many things are going right for the San Francisco 49ers as of late. They have won ten straight games heading into the playoffs, but most importantly, they are getting healthy at the right time. The San Francisco 49ers have gotten three leading impact players back from injury, Deebo Samuel, Elijah Mitchell, and Dre Greenlaw, and they are ready and eager to get the playoffs rolling on a good note.
The running game will be crucial for the San Francisco 49ers against Seattle. Seattle gives up 150 yards rushing per game in the regular with a five-yard average per rush attempt. So look for the 49ers to run the rock against Seattle on a wet and rainy day on Saturday at Levi’s Stadium.
WHAT IS GOING WRONG?
As of late, not a lot has gone wrong for the San Francisco 49ers. They have pro bowlers and NFL All-Pros throughout their roster. The offense is dynamic, and the defense is the best in the NFL. The one weak leak of the 49ers has to be the defensive secondary, specifically defensive cornerback Deommodore Lenoir.
Seattle will try to test Lenoir in coverage deep with D.K. Metcalf and Marquise Goodwin early and often. However, if Lenoir can hold his own in coverage, the 49ers will be in good shape this weekend against Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense.
SURPRISE STAR THIS WEEKEND For the San Francisco 49ers?
The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of dynamic playmakers on offense, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle. Still, one surprise star this weekend that many people will not know is running back Elijah Mitchell.
Mitchell, known as the closer, will look to close out the game in the second half and late in the fourth quarter against Seattle. Mitchell may not be the superstar back that McCaffrey is, but Mitchell is an underrate running back, and he will be closing the game out for the 49ers this weekend in crunch time.
THE KEY MATCHUP THIS WEEKEND?
The key matchup for the San Francisco 49ers is their defensive line against Seattle’s offensive line. If the 49ers’ defensive line, led by Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead, can pressure Geno Smith and disrupt him with just four down linemen, the 49ers’ defense will be able to dictate the tempo and control the game.
The Summary
The San Francisco 49ers, under Kyle Shanahan, have been to the playoffs 3 out of the last four seasons. What’s different from those other teams that went to the playoffs under Shanahan is that they are arguably the healthiest they have ever been heading into this years playoffs. One crazy stat in the season series this year is that the Seahawks have only one combined offensive touchdown in two meetings against San Francisco. Look for the 49ers defense to continue that trend on Saturday.
THE PICK
San Francisco 49ers by 10 points. The 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL, winning ten straight games heading into the playoffs, and they are playing their best football heading into the postseason. On the other hand, the Seahawks are limping into the playoffs after barely beating a hindered Los Angeles Rams team off a game-winning field goal in overtime to sneak into the playoffs.
The Seahawks have nothing to lose, yet the 49ers have everything to lose, and both teams know that fact. The 49ers are looking to win 14 straight games after finishing the regular season on a ten-game win streak, and it starts with Seattle on Saturday at Levi’s Stadium.
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