Things didn't look good for the San Francisco 49ers for much of Saturday night's game. The team never gave up hope and certainly never stopped fighting.
With each seemingly devastating blow that the Los Angeles Rams inflicted, the 49ers countered with their own until finally, they came out on top.
That sets up an NFC West title showdown with the Seattle Seahawks next week. A win and the 49ers emerge as the No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a much-needed first-round bye and home-field advantage. But it will involve doing something the team hasn't done since 2011 — beat the Seahawks in Seattle.
A loss will mean starting the playoffs on the road and making the path to the Super Bowl significantly more difficult.
No one seems intimidated by the opponent or what is at stake in Week 17.
"I love playing in Seattle, against Seattle," defensive tackle DeForest Buckner told reporters after Saturday's win. "It's a big deal for us. We can get this first-round bye and rest up. Also, we haven't beaten Seattle in Seattle in a while, you know what I mean?
"And so it's going to mean a lot to the organization to go up there and get this dub. We're all focused on it, and I can't wait to get up there."
Buckner feels earning that first-round off is important for the 49ers, who have not had an extended rest since their bye in Week 4.
"It's an extra game that we don't need to play," Buckner continued, "and it also gives us time for guys to heal up and get ready for the playoffs."
Next weekend will be quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's first start in Seattle. He has been in hostile environments before, but the crowd at CenturyLink Field gives the Seahawks a significant home-field advantage.
"It will be cool," Garoppolo said. "Try to enjoy this one for the night, and then move on. Got an extra day this week, so that will be big for us, but every game from here on out is big."
"It's going to be loud. We know it's going to be a hostile environment, and I can't wait for it. It's going to be awesome. It will be a great challenge for us.
"All these games, it seems like every week is a big game, and this time of year, they all are. We'll go in there with the right mindset, prepare for these guys, and make it happen."
Linebacker Fred Warner said last week's defeat made an impact, and the team knew what was on the line against the Rams. He feels the 49ers are prepared for whatever challenge is in their way.
"You look back at our season, I feel like we're battle-tested, to say the least," Warner told reporters. "I think if you kind of line it up perfectly at the beginning of the season, this is exactly where we wanted to be, in this type of situation where it's in our hands, going into a hostile environment. We'll be prepared. I can't wait."
