FOOTBALL: Seahawks, 49ers set for rubber match with NFC title-game berth at stake

Every great NFL defense has earned a nickname. From the Vikings’ Purple People Eaters to the Steelers’ Steel Curtain, the Bears’ Monsters of the Midway to the Cowboys’ Doomsday Defense, the Rams’ Fearsome Foursome to the Jets’ New York Sack Exchange, and the Broncos’ Orange Crush to the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom, these units have made their mark. Even the Dolphins’ 1970s No-Name Defense got recognition for its dominance.

The current Seattle Seahawks defense hasn’t yet reached the heights of the Legion of Boom, which led the NFL in fewest points allowed from 2012 to 2015. Still, the team has embraced a nickname of its own: the “Dark Side.”

That unit will be crucial when top-seeded Seattle (14-3) hosts sixth-seeded San Francisco (13-5) on Saturday in the NFC divisional-round playoffs.

“I think throughout the season, we were feeling like we had a really special defense—special players doing special things,” Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams said. “We always hear about the Legion of Boom, especially being here. We were starting to think, ‘Hey, maybe we deserve our own name.’”

Seattle led the league in scoring defense, allowing just 17.2 points per game. Their most dominant performance came in the regular-season finale against the 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., a game that decided the NFC West and the conference’s top playoff seed. The Seahawks limited San Francisco to 173 total yards in a 13-3 win, dropping the 49ers to the No. 6 seed.

San Francisco went on the road to upset defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, 23-19. Running back Christian McCaffrey had 48 rushing yards on 15 carries but added six catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Demarcus Robinson contributed six receptions for 111 yards and a score.

The win came at a high cost, as star tight end George Kittle suffered a torn right Achilles. The 49ers will also be without All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) against Seattle.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, designated to return from injured reserve on Tuesday, may return for the NFC Championship if San Francisco advances, though Warner did not rule out playing in the divisional round. Warner has been sidelined since Oct. 12 with a fractured and dislocated right ankle. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring) and linebacker Luke Gifford (quadriceps) also missed practice Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I think that made us stronger,” Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams said of the 49ers’ injury struggles. “Kittle going down in the first half at Philadelphia. If we didn’t have that experience, it would have been easy for everyone to fold, and nobody would have blamed us.”

For Seattle, offensive tackle Josh Jones (knee) missed both practices, linebacker Tyrice Knight (shoulder) was limited Wednesday, and linebacker Ernest Jones (illness) sat out. Starting left tackle Charles Cross returned as a full participant Tuesday after missing the final three regular-season games but was limited Wednesday with knee and hamstring concerns.

Saturday’s game marks Seattle’s first home playoff appearance since January 2021.

“We need it loud, man,” defensive lineman Jarran Reed said. “So the Dark Side can come alive.”

San Francisco won the season opener in Seattle, 17-13, thanks to Bosa’s strip sack of Sam Darnold and a late touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to backup tight end Jake Tonges.

—Field Level Media/Reuters