I dunno about that.
I mean you can say that it was essentially a one score game at the end, but if not for a questionable roughing call its 28-3 at that point and the Niners ended the game by downing it inside the Seattle 5 yard line.
Also notable: Deebo Samuel didn't play in that game.
That's not to say history repeats itself. Anything can happen.
Just sayin', neither game this year was particularly close. 2 games, 1 Seattle offensive TD...and even that was with 3:36 left in the 4th quarter and the score at that point was 21-6.
In the first game, Seattle was shut out other than a blocked FG from inside the 5 for a TD.
Again, none of this is to say that Seattle can't win and won't put up 30 on Saturday.
All I'm sayin is Game 1 was lost because Seattle couldn't score and game 2 wasn't much different in that regard and the game wasn't as close as the final score would indicate.
True. But we beat ourselves quite a bit in both games.
Conservative playcalling in game one + that idiotic trick play that resulted in a 14 point swing.
Untimely penalties both games.
Poor scheming and uninspired defense in game 2.
No run game... and very little of Geno running to keep their D honest.
I'm nit saying we are going to win, but I think the Hawks are going to be up for this game. They for certain feel as though they are better than what their record shows and have been their own worst enemy.
I think the defense will play inspired ball behind a LB unit centered around Barton rather than Brooks. Yes - I think they'll actually play better with Barton in Brooks's spot. The Dline will be healthy, the entire unit will see it as a get right game and they'll be pulling out all the stops.
On offense - we just need to protect and run the ball effectively. I know- easier said than done against the 9ers, but their secondary can be beat deep. If we force them to lighten the box, it will open things up.
And ... we are playing with house money. Purdy and the 9ers have been great, but all of the expectations are on their side. As great as Purdy has been, there's no telling how he performs if he throws a pick or two and all of a sudden has to shoulder the mental strain of being the QB who squandered their SB chances against a 7 seed.
Get in Purdy's head and anything is possible. He's yet to have to push through adversity.