Richard Sherman’s Seahawks-49ers Reaction & NFC Playoff Breakdown

Some games stick with you because of the score. Others stick with you because of how they’re played. Saturday’s Seahawks-49ers matchup was the second kind. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t explosive. It was about effort, mindset, and defense – the kind of football I’ve always loved. Watching this one, it was clear which team brought the urgency, the swagger, and the mentality needed to win at this time of year.

Seahawks vs. 49ers Recap: Effort, Energy, and a Defensive Clinic

This game was a defensive battle from the jump, and Seattle’s defense set the tone all night. What stood out to me wasn’t just scheme – although Mike Macdonald deserves credit for what he’s built – it was how hard they played. They flew to the football. They ran. They hit. They played with an edge. That kind of effort matters.

On the other side, San Francisco’s defense did some good things on paper. Holding Seattle to 13 points isn’t nothing, especially against one of the league’s top scoring offenses. But watching the game closely, something was missing. The urgency wasn’t consistent. The physicality wasn’t the same. And that difference showed up most clearly in the run game.

Seattle controlled the line of scrimmage. Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet consistently moved the pile, and it felt like the Seahawks were resetting the line every drive. That’s about aggression and mindset as much as talent. Seattle played like the more dominant team.

Running to the Ball Takes No Talent

One of the biggest moments for me came on a play where San Francisco needed a stop badly. Third and long. A situation where your defense has to be desperate. Instead, Seattle ran a play that wasn’t even designed to convert – and it worked anyway because nobody finished the job.

That’s the kind of play you can’t put on tape if you’re a defense with championship goals. Running to the ball doesn’t take talent. Hustle doesn’t take talent. It’s about want-to, and that’s where Seattle separated itself.

When Seattle’s defense was on the field, you saw bodies everywhere. Three, four guys around the ball on every snap. That’s how great defenses play. That’s how momentum builds. San Francisco, whether from fatigue, injuries, or just a long season, didn’t consistently match that intensity.

Missed Chances That Defined the Game

Despite all of that, the 49ers still had opportunities. That’s what makes this game so telling. Even with Seattle dominating defensively, San Francisco was right there late. They moved the ball into the red zone. They had a real chance to win.

If Christian McCaffrey makes that catch, we’re talking about a completely different ending. It becomes a one-score game with timeouts left and pressure on everyone. That’s how thin the margin is in games like this.

But football isn’t about what almost happened. It’s about who executes when it matters. Seattle did that. On both sides of the ball, they looked composed, confident, and built for this moment.

Breaking Down the NFC Playoffs

From a playoff standpoint, the NFC is wide open – but Seattle sits at the top.

San Francisco’s matchup with Philadelphia will bring some real emotion with it, given the history between those teams. That game should be physical, personal, and intense – the 49ers are looking at a fight.

Then we have the Bears, Packers, Rams – there are no easy outs. The NFC doesn’t have many soft landings this year. And through all of it, Seattle gets to wait. That’s the advantage of being the top seed.

Final Thoughts: Playoff Football Is Here

This game showed exactly what wins in January. Effort. Defense. Mindset. Seattle checked every box. The 49ers still have life, and nobody should count them out – especially with a coach like Kyle Shanahan – but the standard has been set.

This is the money time. Seattle looks ready. The NFC playoffs are going to be a dog fight, and I can’t wait to watch how it all unfolds.