49ers Face Off Against Seahawks for NFC Top Seed in Season Finale Showdown
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San Francisco and Seattle will clash in the season finale on Saturday, with the winner securing the top seed in the NFC playoffs, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage. The 49ers, led by quarterback Brock Purdy, have won seven of the past eight meetings against the Seahawks, including a playoff game in 2022. The Seahawks, who are seeking their first division title since 2020, have been impressive this season, with 13 wins, their most since 2013. Their defense has been particularly stout, allowing a league-low 3.7 yards per carry, but the 49ers' run game has been on fire lately, averaging 161 yards per game over the past three weeks. Quarterback Sam Darnold, who has struggled with turnovers this season, will likely be asked to do more through the air against the 49ers' stingy run defense. Meanwhile, Purdy has been on a roll, with back-to-back games of at least five touchdowns passing and rushing, becoming the seventh player in NFL history to achieve this feat. The 49ers have been dominant on third down, converting 51% of attempts, while the Seahawks have the best third-down defense in the NFL, allowing conversions on just 32.4% of attempts. The winner of this game will earn a spot in the playoffs, while the loser will head on the road as a wild-card team. Key players to watch include 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who is seeking to become the third player in NFL history to have at least 100 catches and 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season, and Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL in receiving yards this season. The 49ers have won six straight games and are seeking their longest winning streak in the regular season since winning the final 10 games in 2022. They have also scored at least 42 points in back-to-back games for the third time ever and the first time since 1993. The Seahawks, on the other hand, are seeking their first division title since 2020 and have 13 wins, their most since 2013.
