The San Francisco 49ers dominated the second half 25-6 to defeat the Seahawks de Seattle 41-23, Saturday, in the first game on the schedule in the NFL playoffs.
The Seahawks had an impressive first half and held a 17-16 halftime lead, but the 49ers completely dominated the second half to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
They will host the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Dallas Cowboys next weekend.
Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel et Christian McCaffrey were the headliners for the 49ers.
Rookie Purdy was able to avoid mistakes and show composure on several occasions, especially in the second half. He earned his sixth straight start since replacing Jimmy Garoppolo.
Purdy had 332 yards in the air — the second most in rookie history in the playoffs after Russell Wilson’s 385 yards 10 years ago — and he became the first rookie quarterback in history to be involved in four touchdowns in his first playoff game.
“We have a goal of winning the Super Bowl,” Purdy said. We are in a tournament so anything can happen. I have such a very good team with me. Offensive line, receivers, defense, all positions. This is not a one man thing and I feel blessed and grateful to be here. »
Samuel caught six passes for 133 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown that put the game out of reach for the Seahawks as it made it 38-17 in the fourth quarter. He added 32 yards on the ground.
McCaffrey had rushed for 119 yards on 15 carries and scored a one-time touchdown.
DK Metcalf led the Seahawks with 10 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
Smith completed 25 of 35 passes for 253 yards. He threw two touchdowns and an interception.
Purdy gave the 49ers the lead on a quarterback sneak to kick off the second half and, as the Seahawks looked set to respond in the next stretch, a turnover completely changed the game.
After guiding his team to the pay zone, Smith fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Nick Bosa to end the threat. The 49ers weren’t asking for that much. They roamed the field and Purdy improvised a short pass to Elijah Mitchell for a seven-yard touchdown that made it 31-17. The Niners never looked back afterward.
“When we’re playing our best football, offense and defense are doing their thing, we’re tough to beat,” Purdy said. We know it. We just have to keep putting the pedal to the metal. »
Seahawks impress in first half
The Seahawks had however started the match well and even took advantage of a blunder from the locals at the end of the first half to return to the locker room with a one-point lead.
Smith completed a 50-yard pass to Metcalf to give the Seahawks an early lead, 14-13.
the veteran Robbie Gould then put the 49ers back ahead with his third first-half field goal with just 13 seconds on the clock in the second quarter. A penalty of Jimmie Ward for roughing up Smith in the very last second of the first half, however, opened the door for a 56-yard field goal from Jason Myers.
Gould finished the match with four successes in as many attempts.
McCaffrey started the 49ers’ second offensive streak with an explosive 68-yard run. He put the finishing touches on catching Purdy’s short pass for a three-yard touchdown.
Kenneth Walker III found the end zone with a seven-yard run for the Seahawks early in the second quarter.
This defeat for the Seahawks brought a disappointing end to their surprising season. They advanced to the playoffs on the final weekend of their freshman season after trading Wilson.
