The NFL is called a "game of inches." That was literally the case on Sunday night in the final regular-season game of 2019. The San Francisco 49ers defense stopped Seattle Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister inches short (probably less, actually) of a game-winning touchdown in the closing seconds of the game.
With the 26-21 victory, head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad became the NFC West champions and earned home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said after the game that he experienced every emotion possible during the thrilling matchup.
"Nerve-racking, anxiety," Garoppolo said. "Every game we've had lately has seemed like it came down to the last play or two, and this was no different. The defense stepped up huge, though. That was incredible at the end there."
As 49ers players started to celebrate after linebacker Dre Greenlaw made the tackle of the season, Shanahan waited. He watched the replays and then waited for the call to come from the officials, all while thinking about his next move, depending on the outcome.
Once the call was made, and after Garoppolo ran out the clock, the game was over, and the 49ers were the division champions.
"Dre made a hell of a play," Garoppolo continued. "To step up in that moment and everything, just everything that goes with it. This was a big one for the organization."
With a first-round bye comes some much-needed rest for 49ers players, who have not had significant time off since their Week 4 bye.
Shanahan was asked after the game how he feels about his team owning the No. 1 seed entering the playoffs.
"I feel real good about it," Shanahan responded. "We worked for this all year. It's always the goal all year just getting in the tournament, and to get in there with the No. 1 seed feels very good.
"We were going to be ready to deal with whatever we had to tomorrow, whether we had to go play three games, but I know we are much happier that we can stay at home now, and that you're two games away from the big one.
"We're going to enjoy this bye week, but very proud of the guys. We've had to win a lot of different ways this year. I keep feeling like we've done it every way possible. Then we find a new way to do it. I wish it wouldn't have been that close at the end, but it doesn't matter now. I'm pumped how they finished it."
The win means an easier path to the Super Bowl. Two home wins will result in a February trip to Hard Rock Stadium in Florida for a chance to win the team's sixth Lombardi trophy.
"It feels good to get where we're at," Shanahan continued. "Our goal was to get in the playoffs. It feels much better being the one seed, but everyone knows there's only one team that's happy at the end of the year.
"I know we're going to be happy tonight, and then we're going to get back to work and figure out how to recover this week, take care of our bodies."
Cornerback Richard Sherman enjoyed a win against his former team last season, but this one had a lot more meaning behind it, given what was at stake.
"It's a great feeling just to get the one seed, to be NFC West champions," Sherman said. "That's your goal coming into the year. That's the first goal you've got to accomplish so that you get a home game in the playoffs.
"We worked hard. It was a tough season. It was a lot of teams playing really well down the stretch, but I'm thankful.
"I believed in our team. Our team believes in each other, and that's what makes it special."
