The 49ers’ 41-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Saturday’s NFC wild-card playoff game was dominant in more ways than one.
Paired with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy delivering a historic performance in his first NFL playoff start, the 49ers as a whole did something that hadn’t been done before: They beat Seahawks coach Pete Carroll after from being down to end the first half in a postseason game.
The Seahawks finish the half with a 17-16 lead over the 49ers.
The Seahawks are a perfect 6-0 under Pete Carroll when they lead at halftime in the postseason. pic.twitter.com/XavuTQELba
— ESPN Stats and Information (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 14, 2023
Carroll is now 6-1 in playoff games his team led at halftime after San Francisco’s second-half run eliminated Seattle at Levi’s Stadium.
As the clock ticked down to the end of the first half, the 49ers led two, 16-14, in an entertaining display of offense. However, on first and 10, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith broke free of the San Francisco defense and slid to end the play.
49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward dove on Smith and took a costly penalty, pushing the Seahawks to a 15-yard drive. Jason Myers then successfully kicked a 56-yard field goal to give Seattle a 17-16 lead.
Despite trailing unnecessarily to start the third quarter, San Francisco remained prepared for the remainder of the game, scoring 25 total points to Seattle’s six, which came in the final moments of the fourth quarter. With the win, the 49ers have beaten the same team three times in the same season.
Carroll’s unbeaten streak dates back to 1997, when he coached the New England Patriots to a 17-3 win over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card Game after leading 7-0 before halftime.
Then, in the 2011 NFC Wild Card Game, the Seahawks held a 24-20 lead after two quarters against the New Orleans Saints. Seattle ultimately won 41-36.
In 2014, Seattle faced New Orleans again, this time in the NFC Divisional Round. After leading 16-0 at halftime, the Seahawks pulled out a 23-15 victory.
A year later, Carroll and the Seahawks faced the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Divisional Round and led 14-10 at halftime. Once the dust settled, Seattle walked away with a 31-17 victory.
Against the Detroit Lions in the 2017 NFC Wild Card Game, Seattle led 10-3 at halftime. The Seahawks won handily, 26-6.
Most recently, in 2019, Carroll led Seattle to a 10-3 halftime lead against the Philadelphia Eagles. Eventually the Seahawks won 17-9.
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From Purdy’s high pass on a first-down run to Christian McCaffrey’s 68-yard gain, which was the third-longest rush in 49ers playoff history, San Francisco was firing on all cylinders.
The same can’t be said for Carroll and the Seahawks, as the former’s impressive run and the latter’s season are over.
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Source: news.google.com