Earlier this season, the 49ers faced off against the Seahawks, winning narrowly with a score of 17-13.
In their most recent encounter, which took place near the end of the regular season, the Seahawks emerged victorious, claiming the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a score of 13-3.
Now, these teams will clash again in a do-or-die situation.
In their first game, Brock Purdy directed a crucial drive that ended with a touchdown by Christian McCaffrey, leaving just 2:54 on the clock. Nick Bosa then sealed the win with a strip-sack of Sam Darnold on the following drive.
Fast forward 17 weeks, and the second meeting didn’t shake out quite the same. Injuries plagued the 49ers, leading to a stagnant offense against Seattle’s formidable defense. Darnold and the running game managed just enough to secure a 13-3 win.
Now, everything comes down to this final matchup.
Here are three important storylines to watch as they battle for a spot in the NFC Championship Game.
Adjustments from the 49ers
Kyle Shanahan is often touted as one of the elite coaches in the league, particularly known for his adaptability game to game throughout his nine years in the Bay Area.
When facing the same opponent twice within a month, he holds a 5-3 record in those rematches. Interestingly, he’s undefeated in two of three matchups against the same team, and this weekend marks another chance after a loss to the Seahawks two weeks prior and a wild-card victory over Philadelphia last weekend.
“Having just played them two weeks ago makes things fresh in our minds,” Purdy said. “We’re building off what we did and, of course, tweaking what needs adjusting.” He felt they were picking up right where they left off.
In their last matchup, Purdy faced a tough time against Seattle’s top-ranked defense. He threw for just 127 yards, with one interception, while McCaffrey managed only 57 total yards.
Having All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams back, along with second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall—who’s questionable but likely to play—should give the offense a lift. It’ll be intriguing to see how Shanahan leverages this improved health situation.
Darnold’s Health
In the days leading up to the game, the most talked-about aspect was Darnold’s health.
He was added to the injury report quite late, being designated as questionable due to an oblique injury he suffered that day.
After practice, he told reporters he believed there was practically “zero percent” chance he wouldn’t be on the field against the rival team.
“I felt a little something in my obliques, but I didn’t want to push it,” Darnold shared. “I focused on my rehab and now I feel ready for Saturday.”
Offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak wasn’t as optimistic when discussing Darnold’s condition, passing questions to head coach Mike McDonald. However, he did mention that backup quarterback Drew Lock took some practice snaps, showcasing his skills.
Darnold is coming off his second-best season yet, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns with a 67.7 percent completion rate.
Getting Off to a Strong Start
Securing the No. 1 seed is traditionally seen as beneficial since the team enjoys a full week of rest, but sometimes that leads to a bit of rust needing to be shaken off before they really find their groove.
That’s why it’s crucial for the 49ers to capitalize on last week’s momentum and establish a fast start this Saturday.
If they can force Seattle to play catch-up, it’ll put pressure on Darnold to elevate his play. This season, he led the league in turnovers, and while he’s shown flashes of brilliance, he’s yet to fully prove himself in high-stakes moments.
During his previous stint with the Vikings, Darnold completed a little over 53 percent of his passes in key games against Detroit and the Rams this past season. Meanwhile, Seattle topped the 49ers in Week 18, but Darnold only managed to throw for 198 yards without any touchdowns.
