NEWSLETTER
After spending seven seasons as a backup quarterback, Geno Smith finally got his shot. Smith set the franchise record for passing touchdowns in Seattle. Smith took the Seahawks to the playoffs and played well on Saturday in his first playoff start. Unfortunately for Smith and the Seahawks, the 49ers were just too much for them. Particularly Christian McCaffery and Deebo Samuel on this day as San Francisco downed Seattle.
Smith — who led the NFL in completion percentage this season — completed 23 of 35 passes for 253 yards, and two touchdowns. D.K. Metcalf hauled in 10 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, including an absolute dime from Smith.
It was a valiant effort by the underdog Seahawks, who erased a 10-0 deficit to take a 17-16 lead at halftime. But by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the home team was clicking on all cylinders.
Christian McCaffrey rushed for 119 yards on 15 carries, including a 66-yard run that set up the 49ers deep in Seattle territory in the first quarter.
Deebo Samuel came into the contest with 520 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in six playoff games for San Francisco. Samuel added 165 more yards and a touchdown on six catches and three rushing attempts. Samuel averaged 18.33 yards per touch on the afternoon.
Despite a shaky start, rookie Brock Purdy was dialed in during the second half. Purdy finished the game with 332 yards, three touchdowns, and a 131.5 passer rating. Purdy is the first rookie quarterback to win a playoff game since Russell Wilson did it in 2012.
Save for two drives in the second quarter the 49ers looked like a well-oiled machine. There might not be a scarier team in the NFC right now.
