Both the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks desperately want the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture, and the winner from a critical Week 18 showdown at Levi's Stadium will claim just that.
The Niners offense comes in hot, averaging over 42 points per contest over the last three games, whereas the Hawks' own defense has been a primary reason behind their current placement in the conference's top spot with one game to go.
Whereas coordinator Robert Saleh's own defense has been under scrutiny as of late, especially after surrendering 38 points to the Chicago Bears in Week 17, it might be one of his best players most responsible for tipping the balance in favor of San Francisco.
Defensive end Bryce Huff.
Three things are true entering this contest:
- 49ers don't generate sacks (18, fewest in the NFL)
- 49ers don't intercept the ball often (six, tied for second-worst in the NFL)
- Seahawks QB Sam Darnold turns the ball over a lot (20 turnovers, most in the NFL)
Whereas the 49ers offense against the Seattle defense is a strength-versus-strength showdown, the flip side pitches weakness versus another weakness.
And Huff could be a key X-factor in edging that matchup in the Niners' favor.
49ers need Bryce Huff to step up big vs. Sam Darnold, Seahawks
Huff and his lowly team-leading five sacks don't jump off the page for the usual difference-makers in any given game, but Darnold's tendencies under pressure suggest the veteran edge rusher might not necessarily need to rack up sacks.
If anything, merely pressuring Darnold might be enough.
According to Pro Football Focus, Darnold's passer rating drops to a lowly 71.2 when pressured, and eight of his 14 interceptions thrown have been under pressure. Likewise, the vast majority of his fumbles have been as a result from pressure, too, meaning Huff's ability to get even within range of the quarterback will be vital.
Also, per PFF, Huff leads San Francisco with 42 pressures on the season.
Down the stretch, the Seahawks have largely been winning in spite of Darnold, not because of him, relying more on a stout defense and strong run game to dictate the course of the game.
While those other aspects will be crucial in determining Saturday's outcome, should Huff and the 49ers defense put Darnold into a handful of uncomfortable spots en route to a turnover or two, it could ultimately mean the difference between securing the No. 1 seed or being a road-traveling Wild Card team when the playoffs finally arrive.