Seahawks versus 49ers Wild Card: Staff predictions are split

We are here, 12s, and somewhat unexpectedly – playoffs! Who could have guessed that the Seattle Seahawks would be in the postseason this season (besides maybe K.J. Wright and a few others)? Logically, anything beyond the regular season ending in failure is a success.

Seattle, however, might be faced with playing its first playoff game against the NFC’s best team. The San Francisco 49ers haven’t just won 10 games in a row, but they also defeated the Seahawks twice in 2022 by a combined score of 48-20. The games were not at all close. Overall, San Francisco allowed the fewest points in the NFL this year (Seattle was 25th), but also scored the fifth-most points (Seattle was 9th).

This happened while San Francisco had to switch quarterbacks multiple times and is currently playing with their third-string QB. Brock Purdy has been the individual equal to the Seattle team as a whole in that both Purdy and Seattle have shocked the world this season. The 49ers haven’t missed a beat with Purdy and seemed to have gotten better all season. Plus, Deebo Samuel, who Seattle hasn’t had to face this year yet, is back after being injured and is just another weapon the Seahawks have to account for.

Still, Seattle has overcome expectations all year. Do they seem to be able to defeat the 49ers on Saturday? Not really. But then few thought they would go 9-8 this year. Few thought Geno Smith would make the Pro Bowl. The Seahawks could very well surprise and beat San Francisco. Why? No idea. But there was no logical reason for them to have a successful 2022 either, and yet they still did it.

Staff predictions for Seahawks vs. 49ers Wild Card game

Todd Vandenberg: Seattle 19 49ers 17

Jake Luppino: Seattle 20 49ers 17

Andrew Bailie: Seattle 16 49ers 13

Karley Sibert: 49ers 35 Seattle 17

Matt Holm: 49ers 27 Seattle 20

Lee Vowell: 49ers 27 Seattle 11