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| Marshawn Lynch but the team on his back with this 40-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to tie the NFC title game. |
Cory Puffett
It’s one thing to be excited because you’re going to the
Super Bowl and you made a big play to make it happen. But Richard Sherman gave
an “interview” after the game that was the definition of being classless.
I’ll give him credit for his two tackles and his clutch pass
deflection that turned into an interception. But you still have another game to
play. Do you really want to give your next opponent, the best team in the AFC,
bulletin board material by declaring yourself the best cornerback in the NFL?
I’ll digress, though, because I’ve got a game to talk about.
It was very sloppy compared to the AFC Championship game. The Broncos and
Patriots combined for just six penalties and no turnovers. The 49ers exceeded
those totals by themselves with three turnovers and seven penalties. Seattle
added eight penalties and a lost fumble of their own.
Russell Wilson was under pressure all game. San Francisco
sacked him four times and registered 10 “QB hits.” But his stat line doesn’t
reflect that of a quarterback under duress. He completed 16 of 25 passes for
more than 200 yards and a touchdown.
San Francisco has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 22 games.
Marshawn Lynch did it in December 2012 and then did it again on Sunday with 109
yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
Doug Baldwin, who has been inconsistent during his career in
Seattle until the last few weeks, came up big once again. He caught six of his
seven targets for 106 yards.
A lot of people gave the edge at quarterback for this game
to Colin Kaepernick. He lived up to it for the first half or so. He ran for 130
yards in the game and had a very impressive touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin in
the third quarter.
But when it came down to it, Kaepernick was unable to get it
done in the clutch. Marshawn Lynch coughed up the ball on the goal line and
Kaepernick turned it right back over with an ugly interception to Kam
Chancellor. He threw another on his last pass of the game.
It’s a tough loss for San Francisco. It was their third
straight NFC title game and after losing in the Super Bowl last year they hoped
to get the franchise’s sixth Lombardi Trophy this year.
Instead, Seattle will go to their second Super Bowl, both of
them in the last ten years. They lost to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL in
Detroit. Now they will play in MetLife Stadium in Super Bowl XLVIII.
We’re still 14 days away, but the current forecast for that
day is a high of 37, a low of 25 and possible rain and/or snow showers.
Final Score:
San Francisco 49ers – 17
Seattle Seahawks – 23
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