The Los Angeles Rams were beat by the San Francisco 49ers, twice last season in the regular season.
With one of those victories by San Francisco being a thrilling overtime win in week 18 to even make the playoffs. Yet the two division rivals faced each other once again this time in the Conference Championship. This time Los Angeles prevailed with a 20-17 victory en route to their Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Surprisingly enough even with the second seed in the playoffs, the 49ers were once again facing off against a divisional opponent, the Seattle Seahawks. A team that was one of the pleasant surprises of 2022, yet struggled against the dominant defense of San Francisco.
In the regular season the Seahawks managed two total touchdowns against the 49ers with one being a touchdown reception by tight end Noah Fant and the other a special teams touchdown after a blocked field goal.
San Francisco started decently offensively as Brandon Aiyuk had a 19-yard reception and Deebo Samuel a 22-yard run. The drive then stalled, and Robbie Gould came in to kick a 34-yard field gol for the early 3-0 lead.
On the 49ers ensuing defensive series, Tashaun Gipson made a tremendous play on Geno Smith to force a three and out. Christian McCaffrey came up with a big play of his own with a 68-yard run. Brock Purdy then utilized his ability to escape pressure to find running back Elijah Mitchell for 18 yards and McCaffrey finished off the drive with a touchdown reception. San Francisco now led 10-0.
Seattle’s offense then started to find a rhythm against the 49ers defense. Running back Kenneth Walker found running lanes and capped a 14-play drive with a seven yard touchdown run.
The 49ers once again were able to move the football offensively yet once again wound up settling for a field goal. Smith continued to roll and D.K. Metcalf beat Charvarius Ward for a 50 yard touchdown reception.
Suddenly, the 49ers were trailing 14-13 late in the second quarter. Still the offense managed to move the football and ended up with another field goal by Gould. Interestingly enough San Francisco elected for a squib kick, which gave Seattle 13 seconds with decent field position. Smith took off with the football and inexplicably safety Jimmie Ward hit him well after he gave himself up to slide. With the 15 yards added and one second on the clock this gave the Seahawks a chance for a field goal.
Jason Myers did not miss the 56-yard field goal giving the Seahawks a 17-16 lead at halftime.
It seemed like déjà vu for the 49ers. Was this going to become back-to-back post seasons getting bounced out of the post season by a division rival?
Fortunately San Francsico got the football to start the third quarter. What did Kyle Shanahan’s offense have in store for Seattle’s defense? A drive that lasted 7 minutes and 45 seconds. The end resut a one-yard touchdown run by Purdy.
Sometimes it is amazing how fickle momentum is. The Seahawks offense was still looking great against the 49ers defense, Smith was essentially was unstoppable until there was a penalty. It was only for five yards, and it was for an ineligible man down the field.
What went from second and short, was now second and long. Charles Omenihu and stripped the football out of Smith’s hands and Nick Bosa recovered the fumble. On this 49ers offensive possession Jauan Jennings made an incredible catch to set San Francisco up for first and goal. Two plays Mitchell was in for a touchdown reception. Tight end George Kittle then made a tough catch for the two point conversion.
The 49ers now led 31-17.
A three and out by the Seahawks gave the football right back to the 49ers. Instead of running lock and running the football, Purdy rolled out and found Samuel, who got an impressive block by Aiyuk to spring him for a 74-yard touchdown.
San Francisco now led 38-17 after Gould made the point after.
Smith was then intercepted by Deommodore Lenoir. Purdy once again led offense down the field and after a miraculous escape, found Aiyuk in the back corner of the end zone, he did not come down the catch. San Francisco sent out Gould for another field goal.
The final scoring came on Metcalf’s second touchdown reception of the game. Seattle went for two yet could not convert. McCaffrey wound up recovering the onside kick and the 49ers finished off with a 41-23 victory.
Note:
Purdy in the first half was 9/19 for 147 yards and in the second half 9/11 for 185 yards. Smith started the first half 9/10 and was 16 for 25 in the second half.
San Francisco set a high for total yardage with 505.
It was the first time in Bosa’s career that he did not record a sack in a post season game.
There were several moments of tension between both teams, yet the officials did not penalized either team. On one Samuel was not happy with Johnathan Abram who seemingly appeared to try to twist his ankle. Shanahan was not too happy about it as well.
McCaffrey reached 20.8 miles-per-hour on his 68-yard run which was his fastest speed he has been clocked at since he was a rookie for the Carolina Panthers.