NFC Championship Game-Previews and Predictions
DEFENSIVELY
Jan 12, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Donte Whitner (31) reacts after a defensive stop against the Carolina Panthers at the goal line during the first half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers
Although these guys aren’t as dominant as the #1 Seattle Seahawks defense, they are still pretty darn good. This season the 49ers ranked #7 and #4 for pass defense and run defense, giving up 221.4 passing yards per game and 95.9 rushing yards per game, respectively. In their two playoff games the 49ers defense has actually surprised me with their unrelenting desire to win. Against the Packers, they held former MVP Aaron Rodgers to under 200 yards passing (177 to be exact) and only one touchdown. The very next week the 49ers’ defense went and sacked Cam Newton 5 times and intercepted him twice. Not only were they able to stop Newton and the Panthers from scoring from field goal range, but they also held strong when the Panthers had the ball by the goal-line, stopping Newton on 4th and goal. The key though that the 49ers need to work on is their run defense. We all know that they have played lights out this post-season, the problem here lies in what beast mode moves Marshawn “Mow Your Lawn” Lynch could perhaps pull from under his belt. San Francisco needs to neutralize those skittles, perhaps put them in a bowl with M&Ms and watch the world burn. Another key is for the defense to get a lot of pressure on QB Russel Wilson. Wilson is not used to pressure when in the pocket and thus if you can get him out of the pocket and throwing on the run, this game could get real interesting, real fast.
Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) tackles New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks
There is honestly not much to say about this team. They rank #1 in total yards allowed per game with only 276.3 yards per game, passing yards with 172.0 passing yards and total points allowed with an unbelievable 14.4 points per game allowed to opposing teams. Last Sunday the Seahawks and their 12 man were able to go and show the league’s most dominant passer in Drew Brees that nobody messes with the Seahawks secondary. We all know the very vocal Richard Sherman and how annoying and boisterous (and sometimes right) he can get sometimes. This season these Seahawks corners have played absolutely lights out and it is no wonder why they are here in the NFC Championship game. They deserve every single one of their wins and their playoff wins this season. The key for the defense here is not letting Colin Kaepernick getting too comfortable. Last week against the Panthers, Kaepernick looked shaky in the first quarter, getting sacked and making poor decisions. However, the rest of the game was pretty much a breeze for the Kaeptain and the Niners as they ran the ball down the throats of Carolina. This week the Seahawks need to eliminate Colin Kaepernick, make sure there are always guys out on the perimeter, making sure that Kaepernick isn’t going to try and run the football for the first down (we all know he has the capability). If the Seahawks can force an interception early, make this crowd absolutely boisterous, and force the Niners to pun a lot in the first quarter, this game should be an easy Seattle win.