Seahawks beat Niners to take last playoff spot!
The Seattle Seahawks needed to defeat the San Francisco 49ers Sunday Night to earn a spot in the AFC playoffs and they did it with a 17-6 victory in the Kingdome.
The New York Jets opened the door earlier in the day when they lost to the Detroit Lions, so the Seahawks had a chance to win and get in. With the win, the Seahawks earned the #6 seed in the AFC playoffs and will travel to Cincinnati.
Coming into the game, the 49ers defense allowed only 82 yards on the ground on average. On Sunday, the Seahawks pounded the 49ers with 177 yards rushing, which is the most the 49ers gave up all season. Chris Warren rushed for 99 yards, while Lamar Smith rushed for 49 yards on six carries and had a back-breaking 26-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter to give the Seahawks a 14-3 lead.
For the 49ers, they still have the #2 seed in the NFC, despite the loss. They finished with the same record as the Washington Redskins, 11-5, but earned the tie breaker by having a better record against common opponents. They will have a bye in the Wildcard round of the playoffs.
The 49ers have been without running back Garrison Hearst the past three weeks and the 49ers were 1-2. Hearst led the 49ers in rushing with 1,067 yards and 10 TDs. According to reports, the 49ers could get Hearst back if they make it to the conference championship game.