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SEATTLE - The 49ers' magic-car ride to the Super Bowl hit some pretty bumpy air in this lovely city on Sunday night, but the carpet survived, a little chopping, and the crazy ride continues.
With an epic defensive stand within the last two minutes, the 49ers didn't win it as much as they survived it.
But a W is a W slice and the dice somehow cares for you, the 49ers beat the 49ers in the Seahawks, Seattle, 26-21 under the hottest headlines of the NFL season, a game that is oh-so-great in importance .
Some people will say that the 49th was lucky. But it was not fortunate that the Seahawk's final play called Seattle Tight and Jacob Hollister 6 inches shorter than the goal line. It was linebacker Dere Greenlaw. Meet the newest hero of 49.
Seahawk fought a classic Rocky-esque fight. This is to his credit, no mark against the 49ers.
Now, as they say to the crowd: "Next!"
When the 49ers exited the field in halftime with a 13–0 lead, (yes, the 49ers scorched the Seahawks in this house of terror) the realization came on many that, hey, maybe these 49ers were a very good team Huh.
The second-half charge of Seahawk's epic only reinforced the notion that the 49ers are indeed genuine.
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Crowds gather on the first day of the Golden Gate International Exposition. February 18, 1939.
Take out all the qualifiers you can dig. There is no reason to believe that the 49ers are lucky, flamboyant, overwhelming or unprepared for prime time.
49 people are not perfect, but they are a handful. His transition from doormat to contender has been so quick and unpredictable that there is still doubt. Bandbaza has been relatively slow in loading, but the new Faithfull now rides on pole-vaulting.
Oh, doubt and doubt will continue. The 49th people should kill Sihaks! 49 residents can live with him only. They know that they are who we thought they were: at least the best team in the NFC.
For those who want to win at Seattle's quaint stadium, this is it. The Seahawks were so desperate that they signed two running backs off their couch six days before the year's biggest - and final - regular-season game.
Signing Marshawn Lynch last Monday was not a hype gimmick or a morale boost for the Seahawks. It was one part inspiration and nine parts frustration. Twelve yards, 34 yards, with some flashes of his former greatness.
The Lynch signing proved to be a stroke of near genius. Lynch busted a 5-yard run on his first carry in more than a year. But Reality took home in the second quarter when the 49ers were 4 and 1 in the 31st Seavox, they gave the ball to Beast Mode and were cooled off from Bossa Mode. Rookie Nick Bossa blows tight end Cironops and gets a boost from Lynch.
In a way, the game worked perfectly for the 49ers. They won, giving them the division's first title in the playoffs and home games, and all the remaining games - they hope - for the Super Bowl.
As an unexpected bonus for the 49ers, Seattle's near-miracle rally gave the 49ers remaining double room to doubt, in their dilapidated condition, and the 49ers love it when that happens.
The game became a somewhat anticipated classic thanks to Seattle's will power. Seahawk hits the second half running on smoke and former glory. Although their record (running 11–4) was similar to the 49ers (12–3), the Seahawks entered the game against outside rivals this season with a combined 12 points. The 49ers had a positive point margin of 164.
That Seattle was hung to the full end with the 49ers, a tribute to his plow. But 49 people also plow.
Originally, the 49ers featured every aspect of the game:
• Kyle Shanahan's play calling? Check. In the first match of the second half, fullback Kyle Juszczak lined up in the slot and slid wide open for a 49-yard gain.
• Rescue, led by Seattle corner corner Richard Sherman and Bossa. Before the game, I saw a man walking around a big shaggy dog. The man wore Wilson's jersey, his dog wore a Sherman Seahawks jersey. "Yes," said a man on the sidewalk, "because Sherman is a pero," a dog. Sure enough, Sherman's bite was as big as his bark.
• Offenses led by general suspects. Jimmy Garapolo (118.8 passer rating) was calm at Deen, drilling the ball into the windows big and small. George Kittle lived to great admiration for Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, catching seven balls for 86 yards. Joe Staley anchored the line the last time he met the two teams, staging the Seahawks in the fourth quarter with plays of 14, 16, 21 and 13 yards, which was part of Rahim "The Dream" Mostert. A touchdown was the waltz. .
• handle pressure? Go back to the fourth quarter and watch again. In ladies, ladies and gentlemen. Against SEAHWKS.
Now the 49ers return to Hotel California for a week of R&R, after which the real season will begin, and we'll see what kind of team it really is. We got a sign on Sunday night.