The road to Super Bowl LX officially runs through the Pacific Northwest, and according to ESPN NFL Insider Mina Kimes, the San Francisco 49ers should be terrified of history repeating itself.
Appearing on "First Take", Kimes analyzed Seattle's No. 1 NFC seed clinching 13-3 Week 18 win against the 49ers. This wasn't a fluke for the Seahawks, it was a blueprint. While the Seattle defense has been dominant under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, Kimes argues that the game hinges on one man: Sam Darnold.
"He is the most important player in this game," Kimes told Stephen A. Smith. For Darnold, the mission is simple but crucial. Kimes’ one rule for a Seahawks "W"? No turnovers. "If Sam Darnold doesn’t turn the ball over, the Seahawks will win."
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The 49ers' defense has dipped to a middle of the pack unit without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for a good chunk of the season. Kime's commented that Seattle's offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak did a great job of "protecting" Darnold in that Week 18 victory.
A game-plan that revolved around short, quick passes, handing the ball off often, and utilizing play-action to hit deeper throws when the opportunities presented themselves.
If the 49ers can't force the "prime-time pumpkin" out of Darnold, they’re staring at a playoff exit at the hands of their one time backup quarterback.
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