Well, my prediction that the NFC West was the Seahawks to win isn’t panning out exactly how I thought it would. I thought the 49ers would struggle with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, but thus far, they haven’t lost a step. Meanwhile, the Seahawks, who I thought would win four of their final five games, are now 0-2. With the win in Seattle, the 49ers have clinched the NFC West along with a spot in the playoffs. There’s still a chance Seattle makes the playoffs, but they’d have to win out and get lucky.
The Seahawk’s final three games are against the Chiefs, Jets, and then the Rams. There’s a guaranteed loss against Patrick Mahomes and company, so the best they can do by the season’s end is 9-8. For the Seahawks to almost guarantee themselves a playoff spot, they have no other choice but to win out. Which, given their defense, will be no easy feat. The NFC East has a real shot at getting all four teams in the playoffs, especially with the Commanders and Giants tying.
If Pete Carroll’s Seahawks were to miss this year’s post-season, it would be the first time they’ve missed back-to-back playoffs since 2009.
The Seahawks came into the 2022 season projected as a bottom-five team in the league, yet here they are in week 15 with a chance to make the playoffs. Nobody saw this coming, including myself. Geno Smith has been a revelation, the Seahawks’ 2022 draft was a hit, and in no way, shape, or form do they miss Russell Wilson. Even if the Seahawks don’t make it to the post-season, their future is bright, and this season was more than successful.
The Seahawks’ 2022 NFL Season
2022 has been one hell of a rollercoaster for me. At the beginning of the season, I was furious the Seahawks were playing well. After a few weeks of seeing how awful Denver was, I figured Seattle could win a couple of games and attempt to establish a new winning culture. Last week, after Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury and the Bronco’s tenth loss, I finally gave in and accepted that the Seahawks would make the playoffs while still owning a top-five pick. Now I sit here facing the prospect of the Seahawks blowing it after a fairytale-like season.
While things are looking a bit shaky at the moment, I still believe the Seahawks can make it to nine wins. If they don’t, while I may be frustrated they didn’t tank for a better draft pick, I’ll take solace in knowing that they finished with a better record than the Russell Wilson-led Broncos! I’m excited for the future of this team, what they do in free agency, and how they go about the 2023 draft.
The 49ers’ 2022 NFL Season
Not many teams have overcome more this year than the 49ers have. Not only did they lose their starting quarterback in week two, but they lost their backup in week 13. The 49ers banked on 2022’s Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, to steady the ship of a Super Bowl-caliber team, and he’s done just that. Not many coaches are more deserving of NFL coach of the year than Kyle Shanahan. It takes a special squad to continue to win games in dominating fashion with their third-stringer.
How far the 49ers will go in the playoffs has yet to be seen. But, if there’s one thing I’m certain of, the NFC should fear the 49ers and their defense. Barring any more injuries, the 49ers may represent the NFC in the Super Bowl led by Mr. Irrelevant… Brock Purdy.
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