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The Seattle Seahawks, led by quarterback Geno Smith this season, had no business being in the discussion for a playoff run at the beginning of the season.
After trading away franchise quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, everyone wrote the Seahawks off this season.
Some expected Seattle to tank for a top pick in next year's draft in hopes of securing a top quarterback prospect. Others thought they would just be flat-out worse with Wilson not under center.
Heading into the season, it was unclear whether Smith would be their starter or Drew Lock. Smith ultimately won the job and faced the Russell Wilson-led Denver Broncos in their season opener.
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Seattle handed Denver the upset with a close 17-16 victory.
They would then hit a wall, losing three out of their next four matchups, sitting at 2-4.
Seattle went on to win four straight and then win their last two games of the season to finish 9-8, earning a wildcard spot.
Smith had the best season of his 10-year career so far. It took him his fourth season with Seattle to become their full-time starter, and he showed up this season with the team.
He earned Pro Bowl honors while setting the franchise record for passing yards (4,282) and being a candidate to win Comeback Player of the Year. He led the league in completion percentage (69.6) while throwing for 30 touchdowns and had a passer rating of 100.9.
NFL Playoff Picks: Why the Seattle Seahawks are a bad bet
The Seahawks will face their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers took both meetings this season against their division rivals. They defeated the Seahawks in Week 15 of Thursday Night Football, 21-13, and again earlier this season in Week 2, 27-7.
The 49ers are on a hot streak, having won 10 straight games. Their last loss came in October when they suffered a 44-23 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Niners rookie quarterback Brock Purdy filled in for the team in Week 13 after Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a foot injury. The team is 5-0 since Purdy took over as the starter under center.
It doesn't matter which quarterback is used in Kyle Shanahan's system, they find ways to win. The 49ers finished the season with a 13-4 record, using three different quarterbacks, including a seventh-round rookie in Purdy to give them a late-season rally.
Even Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll knows he has a big challenge in the San Francisco 49ers.
Carroll told the media:
"We're going to try to do something with it. Unfortunately, we're playing the Niners and they are loaded and healthy and on a roll and about as hot as you can possibly get."
The two teams will meet for round three on Saturday at 4:30 PM ET for the first of six wildcard weekend games.
Maybe the third time will be a charm for Smith and the Hawks.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Pete Carroll, khq.com, and H/T Sportskeeda
