Why San Francisco Will Win the NFC Wild Card
The 49ers will take the game out of Brock Purdy’s hands and let Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell take care of things.
Mitchell is somewhat healthy again and showed last week against Arizona that he can still rumble. McCaffrey might be banged up, but that’s McCaffrey – he’ll be okay.
The 49er ground game is the second-best in the NFL, punting away for 189 yards in the first win over the Seahawks and 170 the second time around. The opener against Chicago is the one outlier – and a very, very big one – with the 49ers going 11-1 when running for more than 101 yards, and 2-3 when it doesn’t.
The Seattle run defense has allowed fewer than 101 yards just four times, and it’s 1-7 when giving up 150 rushing yards or more.
San Francisco can afford to play this ultra-conservative. Run well, win third downs, control the clock, and get that pass rush going against Geno Smith. Do all that, don’t put Purdy in any tough situations – lots of easy midrange throws, and …
– What’s Going to Happen, Prediction