49ers vs. Seahawks: 5 players to watch in Week 17 NFC West showdown

The San Francisco 49ers head to Seattle to play the Seahawks for a winner-takes-the division showdown in Week 17. Here are five Niners to watch in the important game that will prove vital to playoff position.

For the San Francisco 49ers, it comes down to one of the biggest Week 17 games the team has ever had, arguably the biggest period.

Win, and the road to the Super Bowl goes through San Francisco. Lose, and the team will be on the road throughout the playoffs.

In the first game between the Niners and the old enemy that is the Seattle Seahawks, back in Week 10, the Seahawks edged out a win on the last play of overtime in one of the games of the year.

It was a heartbreaking loss, but a loss where at least the 49ers showed they can compete. And having done so significantly shorthanded says something, too.

Now the circumstances are different. Both teams are a lot more banged up, but have been able to keep on pace to be on top of the NFC due to hard work and great coaching.

The 49ers-Seahawks rivalry needs no introduction. It’s been having a permanent shot in the arm since then-head coaches Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll carried over their college rivalry to the pros. While Carroll is still in the mix, it’s head coach Kyle Shanahan’s turn to pick up where Harbaugh left off.

While Seattle has had the better of the 49ers in recent years, this season has proven that the Niners are back on the same level as their own bullies.

The 49ers and Seahawks are on differing momentums, too. San Francisco won its divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on a walkoff field goal, while the Seahawks had a shock loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16 that may have cost them their own shot at home-field advantage.

With such a lot on the line, here are five players to watch in this vital Week 17 fight for the NFC West crown.