Say the football gods have a mean spirited sense of humor and the Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII on Sunday. They would be the team to open the 2014 NFL season at home in prime time. In order to draw the highest number of viewers, the schedule makers would have a hard time passing up an opportunity to feature what has become the NFL's best rivalry for that game. Could the San Francisco 49ers be the opponent chosen in order to create an early NFC Championship rematch?
Many will be rooting for the Denver Broncos to win on Sunday, mostly because the Seahawks have quickly become the villains of the NFL, due in large part by the absurd actions of their very vocal and talented cornerback, Richard Sherman. Throw in the Seattle fans, who showered injured 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman with popcorn as he was carted off of the field and the bizarre behavior of star running back Marshawn Lynch, and you have a franchise that is not gaining any new fans leading up to the Super Bowl. The Seahawks are just an odd bunch of characters. Not all of the Seahawks are bad. Quarterback Russell Wilson is a good example of a positive role model. As is hearing-impaired fullback Derrick Coleman. However, the bad seeds' antics do seem to overshadow the positives on the team and the media just loves to jump all over it.
Richard Sherman's vocal jabs at 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Colin Kaepernick following the Seahawks' 23-17 victory over the 49ers on January 19th have only intensified the rivalry between the two franchises. As is did this season, a very early matchup between the 49ers and Seahawks would set the pace for the NFC West. In addition to the coverage leading up to such a matchup, the loser would likely be chasing the other for a good portion of the season, easily creating even more talk for those that cover the NFL.
The 49ers have become an excellent road team. They have won three of their last four road NFC playoff games over the past two seasons, including three straight before their loss to the Seahawks during the NFC Championship in Seattle. No matter how well they are playing, something always goes wrong in Seattle. The 49ers have won five straight at home against the Seahawks. However, they have lost three straight in Seattle.
Much like the 1994 49ers season, which, from the beginning, was all leading up to a playoff matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, the 49ers will be aiming for home field advantage throughout the playoffs and another possible postseason meeting with the Seahawks. The 49ers will have two dress rehearsals during the regular season and it would be great to get one of those out of the way right at the start of the season. The Seahawks look to be a thorn on the 49ers' side for years to come so home field advantage may be a must if the 49ers hope to return to the Super Bowl.
Of course, all of this is dependent on the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl on Sunday. When this rivalry is concerned, it is always fun to look toward the next matchup, no matter how early you begin. The two teams do not like each other very much, and the same holds true for each franchise's fans.
The official schedule will be released in April.
What do you think? Would you want this matchup to be the NFL opener or would you prefer the 49ers to get a few games under their belt before they have to face Seattle? Leave a comment below.