It’s already a happy new year for the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed and won the NFC West after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 13-3 on Saturday night.
Seattle’s stingy defense controlled much of the game, holding the 49ers’ hot offense in check for four quarters.
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The Seahawks scored their first touchdown of the game and led 10-3 at halftime.
Seattle only managed one field goal in the fourth quarter, its only score of the second half.
The 49ers threatened to cut into Seattle’s lead, but Seahawks linebacker Derek Thomas intercepted a Brock Purdy pass in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks offense took over the ball and proved they could hold their own against a dominant performance from the Seattle defense.
The win clinched the NFC West title for Seattle and locked up the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
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Here are the winners and losers in the Battle of the West:
Winner
seahawks defense
The Seahawks held San Francisco to just three and three runs in the first half.
Entering the fourth quarter, Seattle held San Francisco to 105 total yards and five first downs.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe capped off a promising 49ers drive with his fingertips after catching a pass from Brock Purdy to Christian McCaffrey. The shaky football floated behind McCaffrey and was picked off by Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas at the Seattle 3-yard line with 10:27 left in the fourth quarter.
The turnover helped Seattle maintain a 13-3 lead.
Seattle’s defense held the 49ers to 173 total yards, and they were 2-9 on third downs and held to just three points. The 49ers were held scoreless in the second half.
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Brock Purdy was sacked three times and intercepted once.
The Seahawks enter Week 18 ranked in the top 10 in total defense and second in points allowed (18.1).
Jackson Smith-Ngiba, Kenneth Walker III
Smith-Ngiba and Walker are two of the best players on Seattle’s offense.
Smith-Ngiba enters Week 18 with an NFL-best 1,709 receiving yards this season. The Seahawks wide receiver finished with a game-high six catches for 84 yards.
Walker rushed 16 times for 97 yards, a productive night for the running back.
Seahawks, Seattle
The Seahawks will be a rested team in the playoffs. Seattle earned the NFC’s top seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
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The road to Super Bowl 60 passes through NFC Seattle.
49ers alternate jerseys
The 49ers debuted the Nike X NFL Rivalry jerseys on Saturday night. It sports a sleek all-black look, with a midnight black helmet with a red stripe in the center and a gold-plated visor.
loser
Jason Myers
Myers missed a 47-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter and knocked a 26-yard field goal off the uprights in the fourth quarter.
The Seahawks’ kicker even kicked the ball out of bounds.
It was an off night for Myers, who hasn’t missed a field goal since Week 11.
However, Seattle’s defense dominated and Myers’ off night didn’t make much of an impact.
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49ers run defense
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 19 yards on third-and-17 late in the third quarter to help Seattle maintain possession.
With 14:15 left in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks extended their lead to 13-3 on Miles’ 31-yard field goal.
The 49ers defense gave up 180 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks are averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
49ers injuries
The 49ers have dealt with injuries to key players all season. The team’s ability to overcome injuries to players like linebacker Fred Warner, edge rusher Nick Bosa and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is a big reason why Kyle Shanahan is a candidate for Coach of the Year.
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Star left tackle Trent Williams was ruled out Saturday with a hamstring injury, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was sidelined with knee and ankle injuries. San Francisco couldn’t overcome the injuries against a good Seahawks team.
Linebacker Dee Winters suffered an ankle injury in the first half, and Purdy also suffered a hit late in Saturday’s game.
Los Angeles Rams
Last year’s NFC West champion Rams got to watch the NFC West Championship Game.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @tylerlong.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seahawks vs. 49ers winners and losers, NFC West playoff implications
