Could the 49ers open the 2014 NFL season against the Seahawks?
Jan 31, 2014 at 4:53 PM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
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.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
-
HawkFan
You're an idiot. What makes you think that the nation turned against the Seahawks? The East Coast was awash with hawks fans come kickoff. The game was more like a home game than a Super Bowl. We didn't need any "new" fans but we got 'em anyway.
Don't be a hater just because you lost to us in a fair fight. Don't call us villains just because we were more physical. You all had your shot due to a late field goal a young team gave up last year to Atlanta. If you had faced the Hawks in the NFC game last eyar, we'd have two rings right now.
So, sit down, shut up, and take your beating like a man.
Feb 3, 2014 at 3:01 PM
-
Don
As much as I'd like to see an early 9er victory, I think both teams need to face each other, hopefully at full strength and in the heart of the season, and not so early, to not be ready for that environment.
12th man and team earned their props, Sherman's mouth not withstanding...now the entire league will be gunning for them. Go 9ers!
Feb 3, 2014 at 12:08 PM
-
Niner
If kap doesn't pick up his play passing, it doesn't matter where we play, they will be favored. We have more probowlers than any other team in the past 3 years, but our passing efficiency third down and red zone production stinks! John Harbaugh just hired wco coach Kubiak for the ravens to be oc. Jim admits john is the better coach, obviously smarter one right now. You can't expect to run over every team to win a Super Bowl. Russuel Wilson didn't run for a jillion yards, didn't throw through the eye of a needle, but he moved the sticks and got third downs to his open receivers. The Montana young thing still works. Try it Harbaugh, you may like it!
Feb 3, 2014 at 8:03 AM
-
Susan Panetta
I would love to kick the CHEATHAWKS 1st game of the season just like we killed Greenbay the 1st game last year. Although Seattle doesn't stand a chance against Payton Manning he's gonna wipe that shitface Lynch right off the map. Not to forget The Ravens didn't even make it to the playoffs. So even if by some strange chance the CHEATHAWKS win they will be forever lost to 49ers once again!! Especially after the way they acted the Niners will be out for REVENGE!!!! BRING IT ON CHEATERS!!!!!
Feb 1, 2014 at 9:51 AM
-
Gonzola
Love you Davie B, but what does it matter? Whoever we play in 2014 will lose and IF Roman goes bye-bye then our players will stop being limited and forced to play conservatively. You see, playing conservatively may be SMART, but where is it getting this team -- nowhere. How about some 60-7 blowouts or 55-10 would be nice? These type of wins (i.e. throwing on 3rd and 2, etc.) build CONFIDENCE, camaraderie, and are FUN to play in AND watch. Roman = boring and predictable. Seahawks or whoever it is will be spanked. No more wins by 1 point!!!! This is why we lost the Superbowl and why we will continue to lose and be LOSERS... We have to WIN and win like we deserve it. I mean losing to Carolina 10-9 WTF? We are the niners! We are FIRST CLASS! I hope York kicks Roman to the curb and kicks Coach H in the nuts!
Feb 1, 2014 at 7:50 AM
-
dan va beach
Lets face them first and beat their asses and set the tone in the NFC west and show who really dominates the division
Jan 31, 2014 at 10:51 PM
-
Jim
I think it would be great way to open the season by blowing Seattle out in Seattle. That would put 49ers confidence way high.
Jan 31, 2014 at 8:16 PM
-
Lori Lowe
Hell yea! I say we can go there and kick their asses! I have faith in my team!!! GO NINERS!!
Jan 31, 2014 at 8:05 PM
-
Truninerfan
I want to play Seattle as late as possible, so we can have Bowman on the field. I doubt he would be ready for week 1
Jan 31, 2014 at 6:21 PM
-
Monsterniner
No thanks. I don't wanna start the season facing the champion team on the road that turns to be the hardest place to play in the NFL and where we had 7 turnovers in 2 games last season. As you said, no matter how good the Niners are playing, something always go wrong in that place and in the first game of the season in primetime with their fans roaring it would be a nightmare for us.......again. Let's hope that the Hawks lose the Super Bowl and we don't have to face them in week 1.
Jan 31, 2014 at 5:44 PM
-
Adam
The NFC west plays the AFC west next year so even if the Broncos win the Super Bowl I expect the Niners have a good shot at the opening game in Denver.
Jan 31, 2014 at 5:31 PM
More San Francisco 49ers News
Insiders identify late risers who 49ers could target in NFL Draft
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, ESPN contributors have highlighted some prospects who have seen their draft stock rise throughout the evaluation process. Jordan Reid and Matt Miller pinpointed players who could hear their names called at the end of the first round.
Interestingly, both of the prospects identified by Reid and Miller play in the trenches but on different sides of the ball. The San Francisco 49ers are widely expected to draft an offensive lineman with their first selection—No. 31 overall. The team mostly ignored the group in free agency. However, it wouldn't surprise many people if the
Could the 49ers trade up in the draft for a top tackle?
The San Francisco 49ers are likely hoping that a top offensive lineman drops to them at No. 31 in the first round of this month's draft. Fans would like to see the team add someone to compete with Colton McKivitz for the right tackle spot and potentially take over for Trent Williams when the future Hall of Famer decides to retire.
Having two studs bookending the offensive line would go a long way in protecting franchise quarterback Brock Purdy. While tackle may be the first-round target, depending on how the first 30 selections play out, San Francisco might have to trade up to get a genuinely impactful
Tom Brady 'not opposed' to NFL return with a playoff-bound team like the 49ers
Just when you thought the San Francisco 49ers and Tom Brady storylines had concluded, the future Hall of Fame quarterback drops another tidbit that sparks discussion. During an episode of "DeepCut with VicBlends," the host asked Brady what he would do if the NFL came calling once again.
VicBlends inquired if Brady would consider returning to the football field if a playoff-bound team like the 49ers needed him.
"I'm not opposed to it," Brady said, per Jordan Mendoza of USA Today. "I don't know if they're gonna let me if I become an owner an NFL team. I don't know, I'm always gonna be in good shape, always be able to
Former NFL exec on 49ers' Brock Purdy: "I think he needs to find more fire"
Brock Purdy isn't one to seek the spotlight. He exudes politeness, respect, and an even-keeled demeanor when speaking to reporters during interviews. Nothing we've seen from the San Francisco 49ers quarterback's time off the field would indicate that it's a facade.
However, on the field, Purdy can show some fire, particularly after a big play or in an effort to ensure his teammates are on the same page as him. While praising the third-year quarterback, one unnamed former NFL executive expressed a desire to see more of that fire from Purdy in the future, believing it is crucial to his development.
"Brock Purdy is one of the most talented arms that I've seen," the former executive recently
