49ers/Seahawks Post Game Discussion

After Throttling the 49ers, What are the Seahawks Chances of Winning the NFC?

Russell Wilson has it in him to lead Seattle to the Super Bowl,
but can he lead them to three consecutive road playoff wins? 

     The Seattle Seahawks are the hottest team in the NFL right now. They're averaging a staggering 50 points a game over the past three weeks and they are fresh off a 42-13 win over San Francisco. But I believe the Seahawks only have a fair chance of making it to the Super Bowl this year. Seattle is undefeated (with one game still left to play) at home this year, but only 3-5 on the road, where they will be for all of their playoff games barring any miraculous run by a number 6 seed. I understand most of their road losses came earlier in the season, but five road defeats including losses to Arizona, St. Louis and Detroit make me skeptical about the Seahawks playing on the road. On top of that, Seattle's top cover corner Richard Sherman will most likely be suspended for the Seahawks playoff run for a failed substance abuse test. For a team that hasn't played their best football on the road this year, the loss of arguably their best defensive player will lower the Seahawks chances of defeating the likes of Atlanta and Green Bay who have guys that can make explosive plays from the receiver position. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if Seattle went to the Super Bowl because like the Giants and Packers from the last two seasons, teams are infinitely capable of winning postseason games on the road. Also, Russell Wilson has enough poise, the Seahawks offense has enough balance and the Seahawks defense can force enough turnovers to head to New Orleans. If the 'Hawks were playing at home in front of the NFL's most electric atmosphere, I would love their chances; in fact, they would be my favorite to win the NFC. But I am not a believer on the Seahawks on the road, especially without Richard Sherman. 

Are the 49ers Still the Favorite in the NFC? 

     I would not panic too much if I am a San Francisco fan. The 49ers are still one of the more well coached and deepest teams in the NFL. That being said, the 49ers are no longer the favorites in the NFC because they are vulnerable in all three phases of the game as exemplified by their performance in Seattle last night. 

Injuries to the likes of Vernon Davis raise even more
questions as to who the 49ers are

     Problem number one I see with San Francisco: their "elite" defense. I mean honestly, what is happening? Ok, allowing thirty four points to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots isn't all bad considering the 49ers defense forced five turnovers. But Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks absolutely lit them up. I'm not saying the 49ers have a bad defense, but it is entirely possible that if Russell Wilson can put up 35 points (not including the block field goal return for a touchdown) on this defense, then Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers and Robert Griffin III can probably do the same thing.

     Problem number two: Colin Kaepernick is not the real deal and the 49ers offense is not Super Bowl caliber. Everyone was raving about Kaepernick's performance against a mediocre Patriots defense. But look a little closer and you will see that those points weren't all generated but the offense, but by the 49ers defense and special teams. While I credit Kaepernick because he has played well, he is not good enough at this stage of his career to lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl. Odds are, the 49ers are going to have to win at least one, probably two road games to go to the Super Bowl and they probably will not be playing defenses like New England's or New Orleans. No, Colin Kaepernick will probably face an underrated Atlanta defense or a Green Bay defense that is getting healthier. Oh, did I not mention that the 49ers are now depleted offensively as well. Vernon Davis was knocked out with a concussion last night and Mario Manningham injured his leg. If the 49ers are to rely on Kaepernick, he needs all of his weapons at his disposal. But that will not be the case in the playoffs most likely.

    Lastly, the 49ers aren't even playing good special teams right now and it is because David Akers is having a poor season. He is second to last in the NFL in field goal percentage and is only 6-10 on field goals between 40-49 yards. Akers has already missed two kicks that could have lead to defeats of St. Louis, so since his inaccuracy is already a problem, what will change in the next couple weeks for Akers to regain his form? 

     The 49ers problems in all three phases of the game signify that they are clearly not the favorite in the NFC. While the 49ers may not be the favorite in the NFC, they are very capable, even more capable of Seattle, of winning the Super Bowl.