While the Seattle Seahawks are heavily favored over the San Francisco 49ers ahead of this Saturday's playoff bout, legendary Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young thinks that is why the Niners are so dangerous for Seattle.
Young appeared on KNBR to share his thoughts ahead of the game and he had the following to say:
"I would hate to play the 49ers right now just because they're playing with house money. They're loose, they're excited, they're confident, like, good luck."
The Hall of Fame signal-caller has a point.
While the Seahawks have a week of rest after defeating the Niners in Week 18 to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the 49ers have momentum after a gritty win on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round.
Even though the Niners lost tight end George Kittle, there seems to be a sense of resiliency with this team, given all the adversity it's faced this season. There may be more talent on the Seahawks and they may have more rest, but the 49ers seem to have a belief in themselves right now that could help them mount an upset.
Plus, the Niners have been here before. Head coach Kyle Shanahan knows what it takes to win playoff games. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has not been in this spot before as a head coach, so we will have to see if he has his guys ready to go.
Seattle's quarterback, Sam Darnold, has the albatross around his neck of not being able to perform when the lights are brightest. He played fine against the Niners in Week 18, but Seattle's defense won them that game while Darnold just didn't make any big mistakes to lose it.
He has to be feeling some pressure and may be tight if the 49ers are somehow able to keep the game close late. That may be San Francisco's best shot: keep the game a one-score contest into the fourth and hope to get lucky with a Darnold turnover.
This 49ers team has already made it farther than many would have expected. They have lost so many key players that it's borderline miraculous they are a win away from the NFC Championship game.
For that very reason, Young is right that they are going to be loose, while it would not be surprising if the Seahawks come out a little tight. They have had a week off but now have to prove they deserved that No. 1 seed.
It is still a long shot for the 49ers to win, given all of their injuries. But they have been counted out before, and that has only seemed to propel them further than their detractors thought they might go.