It's not often that a team enters the postseason as heavy favorites while also starting a quarterback that was No. 3 on the depth chart when the season began.
Two years prior in 2019, the Shanahan-led 49ers lost in the Super Bowl to the [Kansas City Chiefs](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/chiefs/). [The rise of Brock Purdy: How the 49ers’ unlikely leader was ready for the job](https://theathletic.com/4084631/2023/01/12/brock-purdy-49ers-quarterback/) [For Seahawks to upset ‘freaking loaded’ 49ers, their stars must shine brightest](https://theathletic.com/4083114/2023/01/12/seahawks-49ers-playoffs-dk-metcalf-geno-smith/) [Where does Christian McCaffrey get his speed? pregnant](https://theathletic.com/4083118/2023/01/13/49ers-christian-mccaffrey-mom/) [Why Geno Smith never wrote back: Seahawks QB’s path from backup to Pro Bowler](https://theathletic.com/4021978/2022/12/23/geno-smith-seahawks-pro-bowl/) [Geno Smith](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/geno-smith-hB8bdcsNCHE7y9Hj/), the Seahawks’ new single-season passing leader, and the [top-rated passing and rushing defense](https://theathletic.com/4069693/2023/01/09/49ers-nfl-turnover-margin/) of San Francisco. Smith eclipsed [Russell Wilson](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/russell-wilson-iJrFtUU6uxSN7miK/), the man he was traded for, in his first season in Seattle, throwing for 4,282 passing yards. [Trey Lance](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/trey-lance-N5OYnSceFQ8d8Wx8/) and [Jimmy Garoppolo](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/jimmy-garoppolo-SxxkE6sJpi9AfCka/) both suffered injuries, rookie seventh-round pick [Brock Purdy](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/brock-purdy-0ItM9ROZC8mOtKOv/) stepped in at quarterback for the 49ers and began lighting up the scoreboard. [NFL Wild Card weekend](https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/seahawks-49ers-wild-card-live-score-updates-result/BrM1olFUYsnN/) featuring the [Seahawks vs. [sixth season at the helm of the 49ers, leading San Francisco to two playoff appearances](https://theathletic.com/3945950/2022/12/01/kyle-shanahan-49ers-coaching-staff/). Moneyline: 49ers (-500), Seahawks (+375) Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has a 10-8 playoff record and has only played San Francisco once in the postseason — that win in the NFC Championship Game in January 2014 en route to a Super Bowl victory. Smith is the engine that drives Seahawks’ offense and is seemingly the heart of their team this season. The Seahawks hosted the first matchup of this series on Sept.
Its time for the NFLs Wild Card Game Weekend! We all certainly hope you are ready for this exciting weekend, welcome to Marca Englishs Live Update Cen.
The San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks meet in the first of six Super Wild Card weekend games at Levi's Stadium on Saturday. San Francisco hosts the first of these six Wild Card games at Levi's Stadium. Although odds are not in their favor, getting to the Wild Card stage must be a giant motivation for the Seattle Seahawks to possibly seek the win. Levi's Stadium in the Bay Area is ready! We are talking about six games nobody will want to miss starting with an NFC West rivals clash between the #2 seed [San Francisco 49ers](https://www.marca.com/en/nfl/san-francisco-49ers.html?intcmp=MENUPROD&s_kw=en-nfl-san-francisco-49ers) and the #7 [Seattle Seahawks.](https://www.marca.com/en/nfl/seattle-seahawks.html?intcmp=MENUPROD&s_kw=en-nfl-seattle-seahawks) The 49ers finished in style with a smashing 38-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in order to cement their #2 seed spot.
NFL Super Wild Card Weekend is here, starting with the Seahawks taking on the 49ers on FOX. Here are the top plays!
[ National Football League](/stories/nfl/nfl-odds-best-bets-for-seahawks-49ers-giants-vikings-cowboys-bucs) [ National Football League](/stories/nfl/nfl-wild-card-odds-early-lines-for-every-game) [ National Football League](/stories/nfl/seattle-seahawks-want-geno-smith-back-under-center-in-2023-per-reports) [ National Football League](/stories/nfl/damar-hamlin-returns-to-bills-facility-visits-teammates) [ National Football League](/stories/nfl/kliff-kingsbury-buys-one-way-ticket-to-thailand-not-interested-in-coaching-right-now) They have now won 26 consecutive playoff games when having a lead of 10 points or more.
The first game of wild card weekend is off to a tight start. The third meeting of the season between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks is headed ...
But Seattle, led by the hard running of rookie running back Kenneth Walker III, didn’t go away easily. Get a weekly recap of the latest San Francisco Bay Area housing news. The third meeting of the season between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks is headed for a tense second half, with the latter leading 17-14 at halftime.
Who the 49ers will play in the NFC divisional round depends on the rest of this weekend's wild-card games.
After the 49ers overtook the Vikings for the No. would play the No. And once things got rolling on both sides of the ball, San Francisco looked unstoppable. Should the No. San Francisco, the No. They already beat the Buccaneers in Week 14 of the regular season, and a rematch
Whatever was going through Jimmie Ward's mind right before halftime, it was the wrong thought. Ward, a San Francisco 49ers' defensive back, had one of the ...
Brock Purdy kept the play alive long enough for Mitchell to get open in the end zone, giving the 49ers a commanding lead. Then Deebo Samuel finished things ...
That ties him with [Justin Herbert](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4038941/justin-herbert) for the most consecutive games doing that by a rookie since 1950 and with Steve Young for the most by any quarterback in franchise history. [George Kittle](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3040151/george-kittle) for a 2-point conversion to make it 31-17. With nothing available there, he rolled back to his right and found wide-open running back [Elijah Mitchell](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4241555/elijah-mitchell) for a walk-in touchdown. 📱 NFL+ //
Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score in his playoff debut, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 41-23 victory over the ...
Purdy tied an NFL record for rookies set by Justin Herbert with his seventh consecutive game with multiple touchdown passes. The game is in progress. The 49ers have won 11 consecutive games.
Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy continued his fine form to lead the San Francisco 49ers past the plucky Seattle Seahawks in the first game of Wild Card ...
The 49ers completed the two-point conversion to make it a 14-point lead - but they weren’t done yet. The incredible play on third down brought a promising Seahawks drive to an end with the 49ers retaining their 23-17 lead. However, things took a turn in the second half as Seattle failed to score until DK Metcalf's second touchdown reception with just under two minutes remaining.
Purdy is the first rookie quarterback to start in a playoff win since Russell Wilson did it 10 years ago. Before Saturday, Wilson, T.J. Yates and Shaun King ...
– Samuel and Christian McCaffrey in the backfield on second-and-10. McCaffrey motioned out and Purdy hit Brandon Aiyuk for 19 yards. Good bounce-back play from ...
– The 49ers ran the heck out of the ball and cap their first series with a QB sneak and Purdy has his first rushing TD in the playoffs. – The 49ers pass rush is nonexistent. – Another bad throw from Purdy on third-and-3 and the 49ers will punt. The 49ers squib it to give Seattle great field position, and then Geno Smith scrambles on a play that would’ve ended the half, but Jimmie Ward whacked him after the slide to gift the Seahawks 15 yards to put them in field goal range. This is the kind of game where Samuel needs to be a huge factor. – Purdy took a sack on a blown up screen where Aaron Banks got worked on the interior. – Seattle’s offense is starting to roll a little bit late in the first quarter. Seattle is in the backfield on every play. – Another third-and-2 for the Seahawks and they try a read option. – Good response by the 49ers after Seattle’s TD. The 49ers need a big game from him. Seattle led by a point, 17-16, at the halfway mark thanks to some poor execution in the waning seconds by the 49ers defense and special teams.
Brock Purdy, the 49ers' rookie quarterback, also shined in his playoff debut. Purdy, who was selected with the last pick of the 2022 N.F.L. Draft and began the ...
Smith threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, and receiver DK Metcalf caught 10 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Purdy’s best play of the game came in the fourth quarter when he spun out of what looked like a surefire sack and found 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell for a touchdown. [including San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/14/us/george-kittle-power-san-francisco-49ers.html), were supposed to significantly affect Saturday’s wild-card game between the 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.
Purdy's three second-half touchdowns energized the Niners' offense as the defense stifled the Seahawks.
[DK Metcalf](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4047650/dk-metcalf) in the second quarter for a 50-yard touchdown that gave Seattle a lead. The 49ers finished the game with 181 yards after the catch, their third most in a game this season. That made for a tough matchup against a 49ers offense that has led the NFL in YAC for the past six seasons, and it went about as poorly for Seattle as you'd expect. Pivotal play: Late in the third quarter, the Seahawks were driving for what might have been the go-ahead touchdown or at least a field goal to cut the 49ers' lead to three points. They weren't even supposed to be in the playoffs in the first place after trading quarterback But the 49ers just sent them into the offseason with another reminder that the Seahawks will need to take a big step forward before they can catch back up to the new bully on the NFC West block. They've got a promising young core and a boatload of 2023 draft capital, including the fifth overall pick via the Wilson trade. So much for the inclement weather that might have been an equalizer for Seattle by slowing down the 49ers and their run-after-the-catch playmakers. But he made his first attempt count on the second possession, racing 68 yards off the left side for the third-longest rush of his career. The NFC wild-card win was the 11th in a row for the 49ers, who will face an opponent to be determined in next weekend's divisional round. So much for the Seahawks getting Purdy to buckle under the pressure of his first playoff start. Whatever was affecting Purdy early vanished with a quick stop in the locker room at halftime.
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 41-23, on Saturday to kick off Super Wild Card Weekend and advance to the NFC Divisional Round.
[Charles Cross](https://www.nfl.com/players/charles-cross-2/)and [Abraham Lucas](https://www.nfl.com/players/abraham-lucas/)played well against a fierce 49ers pass rush. On the opening defensive possession of the second half, defensive end [Charles Omenihu](https://www.nfl.com/players/charles-omenihu/) [forced a fumble](https://www.nfl.com/videos/nick-bosa-recovers-charles-omenihu-s-crucial-strip-sack-deep-in-49ers-territory). [Nick Bosa](https://www.nfl.com/players/nick-bosa/)recovered, and the route was on. When he got a shot, he took it, hitting [DK Metcalf](https://www.nfl.com/players/d-k-metcalf/)in stride on a [50-yard touchdown](https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-geno-smith-drops-50-yard-td-dime-into-dk-metcalf-s-bucket)that gave Seattle a first-half lead. [Jimmie Ward](https://www.nfl.com/players/jimmie-ward/)on a scrambling Geno Smith to close the half gave Seattle a free three points, and the Niners trailed at halftime. Not a bad start for the [262nd pick in the draft](https://www.nfl.com/news/mr-irrelevant-49ers-select-iowa-st-qb-brock-purdy-to-end-2022-nfl-draft). The NFL isn't a place for consolation prizes, but the Seahawks even making the tournament in a year that was supposed to be a rebuild, with so many young players playing key roles, is a credit to Pete Carroll's crew. [Christian McCaffrey](https://www.nfl.com/players/christian-mccaffrey/)once again proved his worth, scampering for 119 yards on 15 carries, including a massive [68-yard gallop](https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-christian-mccaffrey-enters-hyperspeed-on-longest-run-of-playoff-)in the first half, and adding a TD catch. [Geno Smith](https://www.nfl.com/players/geno-smith/)played solid vs. The second-half struggles on both sides of the ball sunk Seattle, but Smith played well enough on balance to show why the Seahawks [want to keep him in 2023](https://www.nfl.com/news/seahawks-qb-geno-smith-expected-to-return-in-2023). The star wideout blew the game open with a [74-yard fourth-quarter TD](https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-deebo-samuel-uses-all-of-his-turbo-on-74-yard-td-catch-and-run)in which he screamed down the field for 67 yards after the catch. Purdy showed improvisation when the play breaks down that [Jimmy Garoppolo](https://www.nfl.com/players/jimmy-garoppolo/)simply doesn't.
The San Francisco 49ers will decide whether to move for Tom Brady after they discover their NFL playoff fate with quarterback Brock Purdy.
He is thriving thanks to a loaded roster that features the league's top-ranked defence and an offence littered with playmakers like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk. He has been linked with a move to San Francisco, and NFL Network reporter Gregg Rosenthal believes the 49ers are set to debate over pursuing Brady or continuing with Purdy. The rookie’s path has been remarkable, transitioning from third-string quarterback to starter as the replacement when sophomore Trey Lance and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo went down with injuries.
After the 49ers reached the NFL playoffs despite starting three different QBs, the offseason could pose some intriguing options for San Francisco.
And whether Brady lands back in the Bay or not, the 49ers Faithful appear to be in for another wild offseason ride at quarterback. The 49ers appear to have struck gold with Purdy, aka Mr. "At least that is an option for the Niners. Jimmy Garoppolo stepped in admirably for Lance and contributed to the 49ers' 10-game win streak to end the season before breaking his foot in Week 13, though he's almost a sure-fire bet to hit the free-agent market come spring. "The [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] want to bring him back, and Brady, I'm told, has a great affection for the Glazers," Rapoport said Saturday on "NFL GameDay." "Unbelievable situation this year -- third quarterback coming in, starting, leading them to the playoffs," Rapoport said.
Who the San Francisco 49ers will play in the NFC divisional round depends on the rest of this weekend's wild-card games.
After the 49ers overtook the Vikings for the No. would play the No. And once things got rolling on both sides of the ball, San Francisco looked unstoppable. Should the No. San Francisco, the No. They already beat the Buccaneers in Week 14 of the regular season, and a rematch
Brock Purdy continues his remarkable NFL start by leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 41-23 win in the opening game of this season's play-offs.
"We've got a goal, to win the whole thing, but it's tournament play and anything can happen. As rain poured in San Francisco, the 49ers charged into a 10-0 lead, with Purdy finding Christian McCaffrey setting up the opportunity for McCaffrey to then take a short pass from Purdy and run into the end zone for a three-yard touchdown. Gould and Jason Myers exchanged field goals as the Seahawks edged in front before the half, but the 49ers were dominant after starting the second half with a 13-play drive lasting almost eight minutes, with Purdy punching it into the end zone from a yard out. [LIVE: NFL play-offs - Jaguars host Chargers after 49ers beat Seahawks](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/american-football/64223151) [The essential guide to the NFL play-offs](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/64233581) Purdy, 23, became just the seventh rookie quarterback to win their first NFL play-off game and the first since Russell Wilson with Seattle in 2012. Brock Purdy continued his remarkable NFL start by leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 41-23 win in the opening game of this season's play-offs.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy saved his best statistical game for his most important test yet, overcoming shaky beginnings to go 18-of-30 passing for 332 ...
We just had to call plays to try to win the game and he did such a hell of a job and he's done it every time since, so we have a lot of confidence I him. "It was unbelievable the throw he made in the corner to B.A.," Shanahan said. The drive ended with another [Robbie Gould](https://www.nfl.com/players/robbie-gould/) field goal, only this time Purdy had delivered like he had all half. We didn't have the luxury to sit there and worry about stuff, the way the game was going. "Obviously in that kind of situation I got to be smarter with getting the ball out if the first reads not there instead of doing all that extra stuff," Purdy said postgame in critique of his near-highlight play. Purdy gave himself 5.04 seconds of time to throw on the play, [per Next Gen Stats](https://twitter.com/NextGenStats/status/1614411485299740672). It's gonna be tough all the way through, but (it's) how are you gonna perform in the tough moments?" The score began a run of 25 unanswered points to put a once-close game far out of reach. "He's the reason we have a chance at the whole thing," Warner said. His uncharacteristic inaccuracy stalled the drive and led to a field goal rather than a TD. With the rainy weather and ample pressure mounting in the first playoff game of the Purdy's career, those waiting for the No. Coming in late in the season, he's the one that people should be talking about.
The 49ers are quickly becoming a force of nature, and the Seahawks learned that quickly in Saturday's first-round playoff matchup.
The weather was a player in its own right, looming over the lip of the stadium in clusters of dark drifting clouds. Field staff used massive dryers and tarps to try to protect the natural grass, but a driving sideways rain pelted down for much of Saturday morning, replaced by thick misting fog and shifting wind that blew the banners straight in one direction and left them limp in another, only for patches of sunlight to appear. ... It’s a really good sign when your guys are made of the right stuff.” Kittle, the tight end who went four days without power in his home, actually said after one midweek workout, “We had fun today out in the rain and the cold.” After a first ball that sailed because of the rainwater on it and a couple of missed opportunities in a first half that left the 49ers trailing 17-16, Purdy started firmly planting his feet and flashing the ball to a vast array of long striders. By all rights, the inexperience of Purdy, the last player chosen in last year’s draft, should have been a problem for the 49ers to work around after losing Trey Lance and then Jimmy Garoppolo. (“It was my last read,” Purdy said.) On top of it, he completed a two-point conversion with a nifty fake to McCaffrey followed by a bullet to Kittle. But for all of that, the ultimate X-factor was Purdy, who became the first rookie to account for four touchdowns in a playoff game by throwing for three scores (along with 332 yards) and rushing for one. The 49ers’ drive of 7 minutes 45 seconds to open the third quarter acted like a punch in the mouth and returned the lead to them at 23-17. On third and 14, 49ers defensive lineman Charles Omenihu walloped Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith and stripped him of the ball, and Nick Bosa covered it up. He was so calm and sure yet so charged with his ability to shimmy out of trouble and keep plays alive with his legs, then hit a man in the hands with an off-script strike. — The thunderheads were everywhere you looked — but the least of them were in the sky over Levi’s Stadium. You want to beat the 49ers short of the Super Bowl?
Brock Purdy threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in his first playoff start as the host San Francisco 49ers advanced with a 41-23 victory against ...
"Down 10-0 on the road with the fans going nuts, we did a great job to bounce right back," Carroll said. A two-point conversion pass to George Kittle gave San Francisco a 31-17 lead with 14:02 remaining. The Seahawks (9-9) moved deep into San Francisco territory before taking their first two penalties of the game, leaving them with third-and-14 from the 19. 10](/news/boys-high-school-basketball-the-independent-tribune-s-cream-of-cabarrus-rankings-from-jan-10/article_235cadf4-91da-11ed-a447-43a673dea133.html#tracking-source=mp-in-article) [A green comet will appear in the night sky for the first time in 50,000 years](/news/national/a-green-comet-will-appear-in-the-night-sky-for-the-first-time-in-50/article_e97ff143-8fa2-51a7-9e06-535130c3c744.html#tracking-source=mp-in-article) [Harrisburg council fills vacancy left by Staton-Williams](/news/local/harrisburg-council-fills-vacancy-left-by-staton-williams/article_69b79590-9084-11ed-9556-a353f2703839.html#tracking-source=mp-in-article) 2 seed, won their 11th consecutive game, overcoming a halftime deficit and outscoring the visitors 25-6 in the second half. Seattle's Geno Smith was 25-of-35 passing for 253 yards with two touchdowns, both to DK Metcalf, and one interception.
One play from Saturday's game "pissed off" the 49ers and might have helped change the momentum of their must-win playoff contest against the Seahawks.
Just seeing how Kyle came off the sideline definitely sparked our team.” After Charles Omenihu’s strip sack and Nick Bosa’s recovery, the 49ers drove for another touchdown. “I was worried that he was hurt,” Shanahan said. “I think that pissed a lot of people off. “And you can see the definition of our team is IGYB: I got your back.” [49ers defeated the Seahawks](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/49ers-end-pete-carrolls-win-streak-dominant-fashion-vs-seahawks) for the third time this season.
The 49ers are moving on to the divisional round of the postseason after throttling the Seahawks 41-23 at Levi's Stadium. They'll host their next playoff ...
If the Vikings win, the 49ers will host them at Levi’s Stadium. San Francisco would then await the winner of the Cowboys-Buccaneers game Monday night. The Vikings and Giants start their game at 1:30pm Pacific Time.
After taking the NFL world by storm, 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy couldn't have been more delighted to hear NBA superstar LeBron James gave him a...
But Purdy earned that praise, completing 18 of his 30 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Saturday was a dominant first playoff win for San Francisco, which again will depend on Purdy and his "game" in the divisional round next weekend. He had a rushing TD, too, which helped him make history as the first rookie QB in the Super Bowl era to throw and run for a score in his first playoff start.
The 49ers' wild-card playoff win over coach Pete Carroll and the Seahawks was impressive in more ways than one.
The Seahawks won comfortably, 26-6. In 2014, Seattle again faced New Orleans, this time in the NFC Divisional Round. Once the dust settled, Seattle walked away with a 31-17 win. Despite unnecessarily being down to start the third quarter, San Francisco remained poised for the rest of the game, scoring 25 total points to Seattle's six -- which came in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. However, on first-and-10, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith got free from San Francisco's defense and slid to end the play. Jason Myers then successfully kicked a go-ahead, 56-yard field goal to push Seattle ahead 17-16.
The rookie quarterback put on a highlight reel during Saturday's 41-23 wild card win over the Seahawks. Twitter got in on the fun.
Brady -- much like Purdy -- was a late draft pick thrust into the spotlight in 2001 when Patriots then-starter Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury. On Saturday, the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft proved he's no fluke. A couple of fellow athletes got in on the celebration throughout the day.
Brock Purdy threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in his first playoff start as the host San Francisco 49ers advanced with a 41-23 victory against ...
"Down 10-0 on the road with the fans going nuts, we did a great job to bounce right back," Carroll said. A two-point conversion pass to George Kittle gave San Francisco a 31-17 lead with 14:02 remaining. "It's playoff football; everyone is going to play their best from here on out. The Seahawks (9-9) moved deep into San Francisco territory before taking their first two penalties of the game, leaving them with third-and-14 from the 19. 2 seed, won their 11th consecutive game, overcoming a halftime deficit and outscoring the visitors 25-6 in the second half. Seattle's Geno Smith was 25-of-35 passing for 253 yards with two touchdowns, both to DK Metcalf, and one interception.
Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score in his playoff debut, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 41-23 victory over the ...
Smith scrambled nine yards to his own 47 with one second left in the half, but Ward hit him late after he started sliding. Purdy tied an NFL record for rookies set by Justin Herbert with his seventh straight game with multiple TD passes. “We’ve got a goal of winning the whole thing,” Purdy said. We’ve got to just keep clicking on all cylinders.” I’ve got such a great team, O-line, receivers, defence, across the whole board, man. “We’re in a tournament, so anything can happen.
Christian McCaffrey joined the 49ers' playoff rushing list within the first eight minutes of Saturday's NFC wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks. The ...
The 49ers will need a lot more McCaffrey magic if they want to walk away with a win and a ticket to the divisional round next week. San Francisco rookie quarterback Brock Purdy escaped pressure and threw to a wide-open McCaffrey, who walked it into the end zone for a touchdown and an early 10-0 lead. The reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Month exploded for a 68-yard gain in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium, and it was the longest run in San Francisco’s playoff history since 1989.
49ers QB Brock Purdy bounced back from a bad start, and other takeaways from the 49ers' wild card win over the Seahawks.
Lenoir was again a focal point for Seattle’s offense, but he played well and came up with an interception with 10:45 left that pulled the plug on any chance Seattle had of climbing out of a three-touchdown deficit. Their three wins over the Seahawks in 2022 equal the number of wins they had against Seattle from 2013 to 2021 combined. In the first half the Seahawks posted 17 points and averaged 5.7 yards per play. The floodgates opened on the Seahawks on Saturday when the 49ers defense finally forced a turnover. In the second half they posted 6 points and averaged 4.9 yards per play. He looked more composed in the final two quarters and completed 9-of-11 for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
After reaching the NFL playoffs despite starting three different QBs, the offseason poses some intriguing options for San Francisco. Could one be Tom Brady?
The 49ers appear to have struck gold with Purdy, a.k.a. Irrelevant, and they haven't had much of a chance to see Lance's full skillset as an NFL starter. "At least that is an option for the Niners. Jimmy Garoppolo stepped in admirably for Lance and contributed to the 49ers' 10-game win streak to end the season before breaking his foot in Week 13, though he's almost a sure-fire bet to hit the free-agent market come spring. "The [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] want to bring him back, and Brady, I'm told, has a great affection for the Glazers," Rapoport said Saturday on "NFL GameDay." "Unbelievable situation this year, third quarterback coming in, starting, leading them to the playoffs," Rapoport said.
Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score in his playoff debut, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 41-23 victory over the ...
And I think we can continue to win with him." More important, Purdy will have another chance to make a playoff impression next week in the NFC divisional round against either the Samuel said he stayed down in part because the twist hurt and because he wanted to avoid retaliating. "He is a good player, and I think anybody who watches football can see that. "I feel like that turned our team up a notch," said Samuel, who finished with 165 scrimmages yards and a score. His average time to throw Saturday was 3.63 seconds, the longest in a game this season among players with at least 25 attempts in that game. "Kyle straight up was like, 'Hey, man, plays were there, the opportunities are there; we've just got to keep it simple and get it to the guys,'" Purdy said. The Niners adjusted, in part, by asking Purdy to take fewer deep shots. At 23 years and 18 days, Purdy is the youngest player in NFL history with 300-plus passing yards and three-plus touchdown passes in a playoff game, surpassing Dan Marino. In the locker room at halftime, coach Kyle Shanahan delivered a simple message. It also is tied with Steve Young for the second-longest such streak in 49ers history. "But it wasn't anything in terms of, like, the game."
Purdy's three second-half touchdowns energized the Niners' offense as the defense stifled the Seahawks.
[DK Metcalf](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4047650/dk-metcalf) in the second quarter for a 50-yard touchdown that gave Seattle a lead. The 49ers finished the game with 181 yards after the catch, their third most in a game this season. That made for a tough matchup against a 49ers offense that has led the NFL in YAC for the past six seasons, and it went about as poorly for Seattle as you'd expect. Pivotal play: Late in the third quarter, the Seahawks were driving for what might have been the go-ahead touchdown or at least a field goal to cut the 49ers' lead to three points. They weren't even supposed to be in the playoffs in the first place after trading quarterback But the 49ers just sent them into the offseason with another reminder that the Seahawks will need to take a big step forward before they can catch back up to the new bully on the NFC West block. They've got a promising young core and a boatload of 2023 draft capital, including the fifth overall pick via the Wilson trade. So much for the inclement weather that might have been an equalizer for Seattle by slowing down the 49ers and their run-after-the-catch playmakers. But he made his first attempt count on the second possession, racing 68 yards off the left side for the third-longest rush of his career. The NFC wild-card win was the 11th in a row for the 49ers, who will face an opponent to be determined in next weekend's divisional round. So much for the Seahawks getting Purdy to buckle under the pressure of his first playoff start. Whatever was affecting Purdy early vanished with a quick stop in the locker room at halftime.
The Houston Texans would be wise to pick up on these four areas that helped the San Francisco 49ers pummel the Seattle Seahawks 41-23 in the playoffs.
After Abram pulled and twisted Samuel's ankle enough to where the “wideback's” body weight was off the grass, the entire San Francisco offense was ready to ...
One reason is because of the way the locker room is arranged. On Seattle’s ensuing drive, Warner and the defense took a little revenge out on Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith — but in a clean way. The next two Seattle drives ended in a punt and an interception. Quarterback Brock Purdy was moving the team down the field and on a third-and-7 situation, the rookie completed a pass to Samuel for 21 yards before he was tackled by Abram. The 49ers' offense met the Seahawks' defense between the hash marks where there was a little pushing and a lot of yelling, but no flags were called. Linebacker Fred Warner felt the shift in energy after the play.
Brock Purdy threw for three touchdowns and ran in another as he starred on his first career playoff start, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 41-23 ...
The evening wraps up with the Baltimore Ravens' visit to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football (kick-off, 1.15am). "Down 10-0 on the road with the fans going nuts, we did a great job to bounce right back. Seattle QB Geno Smith was 25-of-35 passing for 253 yards with two touchdowns, both to DK Metcalf - one a 50-yard stunner to see the Seahawks into the lead for the first time. "We've got a goal of winning the whole thing. If the Giants win, it will instead be either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Dallas Cowboys who travel to San Francisco. But a stirring second half showing by San Francisco, in which they scored 22 points in the space of 12 minutes at one point, secured their passage through to the divisional round.
San Francisco's rookie quarterback couldn't believe it when he learned of the Lakers star's tweet.
In his first postseason appearance, Purdy completed 18 of 30 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns. [Jimmy Garoppolo still out](https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/12/07/49ers-kyle-shanahan-addresses-possibility-jimmy-garoppolo-returns-playoffs-foot-injury), Purdy is expected to start for the remainder of the postseason. That’s awesome. [inspired ample praise for Purdy](https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/12/09/how-brock-purdy-was-built-from-undraftable-to-49ers-starter-daily-cover), including a comment from one sports superstar: [LeBron James](https://www.si.com/nba/player/lebron-james). [Lakers](https://www.si.com/nba/team/los-angeles-lakers) star, who often reacts to major sporting events on social media, [tweeted](https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1614409353309851648?s=20&t=LTzWp7E70FEnL0Fpti-S-w) “PURDY GOT GAME!!!!!!!!!” on Saturday. [49ers](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/san-francisco-49ers) quarterback [Brock Purdy](https://www.si.com/college/college-football/player/brock-purdy) won [his first playoff game](https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/01/15/49ers-beat-seahawks-opponents-must-be-perfect) on Saturday, beating the [Seahawks](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/seattle-seahawks), 41–23, in a wild-card matchup at Levi’s Stadium.