"For a venue that has spent much of its existence battling the (just) perception of being a pop-up corporate wine mixer disguised as a football arena, Levi's Stadium is going to be the place to be on Saturday. Because this isn't just a game; this is a Super Bowl undercard. The stakes for the 49ers and Seahawks on Saturday? Just the NFC West crown and the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs."
"Mike Macdonald's crew isn't here to admire the efficiency of Kyle Shanahan's schemes. No, they're arriving to re-create the Christmas Day disaster of 2023, when Macdonald's Baltimore Ravens blitzed, twisted, and spun Purdy into the worst game of his career. It was raining that day, too. Purdy is a better quarterback than he was then. These Seahawks aren't quite at the same level defensively as those Ravens (though it's been close at times)."
Levi's Stadium will host a rain-tinged, high-profile regular-season contest with NFC West supremacy and the No. 1 NFC seed on the line. The 49ers boast a dominant offense and a hot six-week run that elevated Brock Purdy's play. Seattle arrives with a formidable Mike Macdonald defense capable of heavy pressure and complex fronts, recalling a Christmas Day game that overwhelmed Purdy. Weather and field conditions favor a sloppy, physical game where defensive scheming and offensive line play will be decisive. Seattle's offensive line remains a concern despite perceived improvement, creating matchup advantages for the 49ers' defensive front.
Read at The Mercury News
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