How history may repeat itself for 49ers against Sam Darnold, Seahawks

1 week ago 2

On one hand, getting to watch my favorite USC football alums play against my favorite team is efficient. And when the game turns out like 49ers-Bears did last week -- Caleb Williams plays a great game but the Bears just barely lose to the 49ers -- I am a very happy camper.

But I do not like rooting against former Trojans. I only do it when I have to, when said former Trojan is taking on my favorite team, the 49ers. Loyalty to team > loyalty to player.

Rooting against Sam Darnold will be especially hard. The 2017 Rose Bowl is one of my favorite USC memories and Darnold is also a former 49er. That year, I actually named my fantasy football team the "San Francisco Sourdough Sams" with Darnold's face as the team logo. Darnold conveniently looks somewhat like the 49ers mascot.

But the unfortunate reality is that he plays for my least favorite team in the NFL. So it all balances out in the end.

Anyway, 49ers-Seahawks round 2 is arguably the NFC's Game of the Year. The winner will win the NFC West advance to the playoffs with the NFC's No. 1 seed. The loser will be relegated to the No. 5 seed and face a much tougher road to the Super Bowl. And, because of Darnold, a lot of USC fans will be watching.

So, from a 49ers fan's perspective, here are some storylines to watch and history to keep in mind as the 49ers take on the Seahawks on Saturday night.

The 49ers "Rivalry" jerseys

When the 49ers unveiled their rivalry jerseys before the season, fans were really excited. The jerseys, which are black with red and gold lettering in an old western-style font, are easily one of the best in the NFL. Since release day, the jerseys have flown off the shelves. Many of my 49ers fan friends own one.

There was just one problem. The jerseys would only be worn for this game, Week 18 against the Seahawks. Many 49ers fans assumed that this would likely be a meaningless game where many of the starters would be resting.

That couldn't be further from the truth. This is essentially a playoff game for both teams. And these awesome jerseys are getting the prime time, high-stakes matchup they deserve.

2019 history repeats itself?

This is not the first time that the 49ers have played the Seahawks with the NFC West division title and the conference's No. 1 seed on the line.

In Week 17 of the 2019 season, the two teams played with the exact same stakes. Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco) and Russell Wilson (Seattle) were the quarterbacks. The game was played in Seattle, not San Francisco, and the 49ers, not the Seahawks, had the better record.

That game came down to the final seconds. 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw stopped Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister just inches from the end zone on 4th and goal with only 9 seconds remaining in the game to deliver the 49ers the victory. Jimmy Garoppolo snuck the ball a few yards just one play later and the 49ers locked up the No. 1 seed.

The 49ers went on to make the Super Bowl and lose to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Seahawks won their Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional round.

I don't know if my heart could take another down-to-the-wire 49ers game after last week against the Bears. The 49ers seem to find themselves in a lot of those games (I still have nightmares about Super Bowl LVIII).

But with so much on the line, I wouldn't be surprised if it feels like 2019 deja vu. The Seahawks are hoping that, given they are the away team and the higher seed this time, history doesn't repeat itself, but reverses itself.

2025 Week 1 went the 49ers way

The 49ers week 1 game of the 2025 season feels like years ago. So much has happened since -- these feel like two completely different teams than the ones who played on Lumen Field back in September.

That was a pre-Mac Jones creating a "QB controversy" in San Francisco with Purdy out injured, pre-Nick Bosa's and Fred Warner's injuries and pre-Sam Darnold being comfortable in Seattle. Jake Moody was still on the 49ers then. It was a...defensive battle? With a 17-13 final score?

The 49ers won because third string tight end Jake Tonges caught an improbable go-ahead touchdown and Bosa sealed the game sealing fumble. Brock Purdy didn't play particularly well and Sam Darnold could only really complete passes to Jaxson Smith-Njigba.

I'd expect this game to have the opposite feel and be a total shootout. The 49ers defense, missing Bosa and Warner, is very young and inconsistent. Purdy and Darnold look like completely different quarterbacks than they did in Week 1 (in a good way).

Except...there's a 100% chance of rain in San Francisco. Dun dun dun.

A potentially historic day for Christian McCaffrey

On Saturday, Christian McCaffrey has the opportunity to accomplish something rare and become just the fourth player in NFL history with 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

McCaffrey has already surpassed 1,000 rushing yards but needs 110 receiving yards to reach 1,000. As primarily a running back, racking up over 110 receiving yards would be difficult for CMC. He would probably need to break off a couple of big plays.

His season-high in receiving yards was 92 in a win over the Rams on October 2. His career high in receiving yards is 121, which he set back in 2019 when he was with the Carolina Panthers.

Other USC players besides Darnold

The Seahawks actually have 4 former Trojans on their side of the ball. Darnold is the only one on the offense, but DE Leonard Williams, DT Brandon Pili and LB Uchenna Nwosu represent the Trojans on the defensive side of the ball.

The 49ers do not have a single former USC football player on their roster or practice squad this season, unfortunately. I miss Talanoa Hufanga.

You still won't get me to root for the Seahawks and against the 49ers though, you stinkers.

Best of luck to Darnold and everybody though. I hope they have great games. I just hope Purdy and co. play just slightly better, even if they win by just a few inches on one play.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: 49ers take on Seahawks for NFC West title in matchup of destiny

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