Whether or not he'll have you win the whole thing, Kyle Shanahan knows how to have you in the conversation come postseason. A preview of the 49ers-Seahawks game for all the marbles.
A history lesson could decide the final exam in the NFC West on Saturday. The offensive mastermind in question is the headmaster, if you will.
While a number of factors could swing the San Francisco 49ers-Seattle Seahawks matchup, the experience and pedigree of Kyle Shanahan could be enough to influence just enough possessions, and that could leave the Niners victorious.
The 49ers have continuity and a pair of NFC Championship games with Brock Purdy at the helm, along with their Kittle-McCaffrey-Williams offensive core.
The Seahawks have a new QB post Geno Smith. Their passing game is altogether different, minus Lockett and Metcalf. Although it set the stage for a Jaxon Smith-Njigba breakout season, he hasn't been there before in a playoff setting. The bright lights weren't too kind to Sam Darnold last year, either.
It seems Kyle Shanahan is always in the mix when it comes to NFC Championships and while Mike MacDonald will get coach of the year consideration, he's not quite as seasoned.
The 49ers are minus their heart and soul, Fred Warner, at least for now, but are on a great tear in terms of momentum. Just ask the Bears. I wonder if it's that general familiarity rearing it's head as we are now in January.
The 49ers have unfinished business when it comes to hoisting the Lombardi trophy. A bye week that allows for Trent Williams to have an extra week to heal up for a postseason run might be just the incentive they need for a Saturday Night Live-worthy performance.
As great as Darnold has mostly been, he can throw the ball and game up for grabs as he showed as recently as last week versus Carolina. If the 49ers stay together and remain opportunistic, they will capture the top seed, and the road to the Super Bowl will go through them in the NFC.
With a season that includes an impressive 21 drive stretch without a punt. The 49ers have overachieved. Without Purdy for stretches or Brandon Aiyuk at all.
Whether or not Shanahan can take them all the way is debatable. But he's shown he can get a team to the Super Bowl or at least a championship game appearance.
We'll see if the Seahawks' stellar defense will finally force punter Thomas Morstead to break a sweat, and if Kyle Shanahan's team is primed for another deep playoff run.