Originally posted by Heroism:
Purdy is awesome, but I wouldn't necessarily describe what happened in week 1 against Seattle as "casually killing." Purdy and Shanny were cooking, especially on that opening drive, but it was a battle after that with Brock throwing 2 egregious INTs. If we're being honest, he got very lucky on that Tonges TD. Seattle could've easily swept the season series.
Killing is what Seattle's defense did to the 49ers' offense in the following 2 games. Those were some straight up ass whoopings.
Once again it's unfair to heap all this praise on Seattle when they're getting a beat to hell 49ers squad and suddenly ignore week 1 because of what ifs.
Purdy was dicing them up before the injury. The ugly picks didn't show up until after the injury happened. Whether he throws them healthy or not is certainly up in the air but it is a variable that you cannot account for.
Week 1 is the closest look we had vs a Seahawks team missing a couple of guys and us missing a couple of guys but otherwise both teams were healthy. We won in a close game.
Week 18 Seattle was incredibly healthy save LT. We were missing a ton, including our LT and Ricky Pearsall who was one of the reasons we won that week 1 game vs Seattle, along with a gimpy George Kittle. While that game wasn't as close as the score indicated it was still a 10 point game with us literally letting two opportunities fall through our hands to make it even closer.
The playoff game was an ass whooping, there is no putting lipstick on that pig but few things were in the 49ers favor for that one. Seattle had extra rest, 49ers coming off a short week on top of that. Missing even more impact players and Seattle hungry, healthy and upgraded from week 1 in general with additions of Shaheed and the man literally took away any potential of an upset from the opening kickoff.
Long story short I think it's silly to say the 49ers got lucky given how they walked into that game with like 80% of the WR room either hurting or out for the game and then losing more in the game with a ton of youth playing. Then at the same time just giving Seattle all the credit in the world for taking it to us with a huge health disparity and rest advantage for them.
Having said that...we have a lot of holes to fill on this roster to make me feel great going into another game vs Seattle. I respect Brock but I don't want to see him having to lift a mountain to eek out wins. Don't expect things to be easy against that Seattle defense but getting a better running game and better play at WR along with more time to find them shouldn't be a crazy ask.