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Are you ready for a third matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks? If ESPN's predicted playoff bracket is to be believed, that's exactly what will happen.
ESPN experts made round-by-round predictions and had the Seattle Seahawks emerging from the Wildcard round as the lowest-seeded winner, setting up yet another NFC West showdown. This time, it will be at Levi's Stadium.
Nine ESPN experts have San Francisco knocking off Seattle in the Divisional round compared to just one having the Seahawks winning.
"The 49ers missed George Kittle in the first matchup, but they controlled the pace throughout a rematch that featured Kittle heavily," wrote ESPN senior writer Jeremy Fowler. "Expect more of the same against a Seahawks lineup ravaged by injuries. ... Seattle is all heart, but San Francisco is too much for it."
While a second win in three weeks against the Seahawks would charge The Faithful, the experts have San Francisco losing in the NFC Championship to the New Orleans Saints in front of a Levi's Stadium crowd. The Saints earned six votes compared to just four for the 49ers.
"In addition to playing with sound run fits versus all the misdirection Kyle Shanahan throws at opposing defenses," wrote writer Matt Bowen, "look for New Orleans to test the decision-making process of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on third downs. ... You want points? You'll get them in this game. But I'm betting on the Saints' defense -- lead by linebacker Demario Davis -- to take the ball away at a critical moment in this one."
ESPN has the Saints moving on to Super Bowl LIV and losing to the Baltimore Ravens.
Click here to head over to ESPN and read the projected fate of all 12 playoff teams.
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