49ers vs. Seahawks: What San Francisco Needs to Flip the Script in the Divisional Round
The San Francisco 49ers are back in the playoffs with a shot at redemption. After falling short of the NFC Championship last season, they’ve clawed their way to a 13-5 record despite a year filled with injuries-and now they’re staring down a familiar foe in the Seattle Seahawks. This time, it’s win or go home in the Divisional Round.
But here’s the twist: just two weeks ago, Seattle didn’t just beat the Niners-they controlled the game from start to finish. Now, San Francisco has to figure out how to turn the tables. If they’re going to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive, it starts with fixing three key areas: third downs, the ground game, and Brock Purdy’s performance under pressure.
1. Third Downs: The Hidden Battle That Decides the Game
If you’re looking for where things went sideways in Week 18, start with third down. The 49ers couldn’t stay on the field, and the Seahawks couldn’t be taken off it. That combination tilted the entire game in Seattle’s favor.
The numbers tell the story: Seattle converted 6-of-13 third downs, while the 49ers managed just 2-of-9. That’s a massive drop-off for a team that led the league in third-down conversion rate during the regular season (49.8%). Meanwhile, Seattle outperformed their own season average (39.8%), which only ranked middle of the pack.
The result? A lopsided time of possession-Seattle held the ball for nearly 38 minutes, while San Francisco had it for just over 22.
In the first half alone, the 49ers had possession for a mere 10:40. That’s not just a stat line-that’s a defense getting worn out and an offense never finding rhythm.
This week, that has to change. San Francisco doesn’t necessarily need long, methodical drives, but they do need to stay on the field.
That means converting manageable third downs and keeping Seattle’s defense honest. Explosive plays might be hard to come by against this Seahawks unit, so sustaining drives is going to be critical.
2. The Run Game: Time to Reclaim Identity
San Francisco’s offense has always been built around the run game. But lately? That foundation has started to crack.
In Week 18, the Seahawks dared the 49ers to run-and San Francisco couldn’t answer the call. Seattle rolled out two-high safety looks and stayed in nickel personnel all game, effectively saying, “Go ahead, try to beat us on the ground.”
The 49ers tried, but they averaged just 3.2 yards per carry on first and second down. Their longest run from a running back?
Six yards.
That kind of inefficiency didn’t just limit the ground game-it made the entire offense one-dimensional. And that’s not a winning formula, especially when Christian McCaffrey is held to just 48 yards on 15 carries like he was in the Wild Card round.
If the Niners want to control the game, they’ve got to reestablish the run. That starts up front, especially with left tackle Trent Williams expected back in the lineup. His presence alone can shift the tone of a game, even if he’s not 100%.
But the run game isn’t just about what San Francisco can do-it’s also about what they can stop. Seattle gashed them for 180 rushing yards at 4.6 yards a clip in Week 18. The Seahawks dominated early on the ground, and that helped dictate the pace from the opening whistle.
The 49ers did show signs of life last week against Philly, tightening up their run defense in the second half. That kind of adjustment will need to show up much earlier this Saturday. If they can slow down Seattle’s rushing attack and force Sam Darnold to beat them through the air, they’ll be in much better shape.
3. Brock Purdy: Time to Rise to the Moment
This game is going to ask a lot of Brock Purdy. And if the 49ers are going to advance, he’s going to have to deliver.
Two weeks ago, Purdy was missing key pieces-Trent Williams and Ricky Pearsall were both out-and the offense sputtered. He couldn’t quite elevate the supporting cast the way he’s done in the past, and the passing game never found its rhythm.
Last weekend against the Eagles, it was a mixed bag. Purdy threw two costly interceptions to rookie corner Quinyon Mitchell, but he also made plays-real plays-when it mattered. He extended drives with his legs, kept his eyes downfield under pressure, and delivered on the go-ahead drive that sealed the win.
This week, the challenge gets steeper. Seattle’s pass rush got after him in Week 18, and they’ll be looking to do the same again.
Williams and Pearsall are expected back, but neither is likely to be at full strength. George Kittle is out.
The run game’s been unreliable. And separation at wide receiver has been an issue.
In other words, it’s on Purdy.
He’ll need to make quick decisions, escape pressure, and create something out of nothing when the play breaks down. He’s shown flashes of that ability, but this is playoff football-there’s no room for hesitation. If he can navigate the rush and find ways to move the chains, he can tilt this game in San Francisco’s favor.
The Bottom Line
The 49ers are walking into a rematch with a lot on the line and plenty to prove. Seattle already showed they can beat this team-and do it convincingly.
But San Francisco has the pieces to flip the script. It starts with winning third downs, reestablishing the run, and getting a big-game performance from Brock Purdy.
If they can check those boxes, they’ll be heading back to the NFC Championship. If not, their season ends in Seattle.