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SPORTS Saturday 28 december 2019
49ers-Seahawks

showdown on Sunday

night highlights Week 17

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. off the field, Lynch made
AP Pro Football Writer his marks — literally — with
The return of Beast Mode. his tough, physical "Beast
A division title on the line. Mode" style of running. The
Possible home-field advan- 33-year-old Lynch hasn't
tage throughout the NFC played since midway
playoffs. through last season with
Those are the intriguing Oakland, but is expected
story lines of the juiciest to play for Seattle on Sun-
matchup of the NFL's final day in the team's biggest
week of the regular season game of the season.
as the San Francisco 49ers "Only one person can pull
and Seattle Seahawks this off and that's No. 24,"
square off in a Sunday night linebacker K.J. Wright said
showdown that will have a of Lynch, who played for Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, left, looks across at quarterback Russell Wilson
postseason feel. the Seahawks from 2010- during warmups at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, in Renton,
The 49ers (12-3) travel to 15. "Back in the building, it Wash.
Seattle to take on Russell feels good. When I heard Associated Press
Wilson and the Seahawks the news I was like, 'Per-
(11-4), with the winner cap- fect.' He's just the ultimate Speaking of Brees, he has time win over the Redskins. ton. The Titans, who have
turing the NFC West. San teammate, cool dude, just completed an NFL-high Jones' 23 TD passes are a lost seven consecutive
Francisco would clinch ballin'. I'm glad to have him 75.3% of his passes this franchise record for a rook- games at the Texans, could
home-field advantage back." season, which puts him on ie despite him playing in still make the postseason
throughout by winning, GREEN BAY (12-3) at DE- pace to eclipse his single- only 12 games. with a loss, but would also
while Seattle could host TROIT (3-11-1) season record 74.4% from WASHINGTON (3-12) at need Pittsburgh to lose and
until the Super Bowl with a The Packers will certainly last year. He also enters as DALLAS (7-8) Indianapolis lose or tie.
victory and losses by both keep an eye on the 49ers- the career leader in yards The Cowboys whiffed on A win for Deshaun Watson
Green Bay and New Or- Seahawks game, espe- passing with 77,163, and a chance to control their and the Texans would give
leans. cially if they beat the lowly TD passes with 544 — five playoff scenario with their them consecutive 11-victo-
"We know this is going to Lions and clinch a first- ahead of New England's clunker at Philadelphia. ry seasons for the first time
be a hostile environment, round bye. Aaron Rodgers Tom Brady. Dallas now needs to beat in franchise history.
'Sunday Night Football,' so, and Co. would also wrap The Panthers, who'll be look- the Redskins at home — PITTSBURGH (8-7) at BALTI-
can't wait for it," 49ers quar- up home-field advantage ing for a new coach after and hope the Eagles stum- MORE (13-2)
terback Jimmy Garoppolo throughout NFC playoffs if Ron Rivera was fired, have ble on the road against the The Ravens have already
said. San Francisco loses. lost seven straight and turn New York Giants. clinched the No. 1 overall
The loser of this matchup Rodgers will also be going again to rookie quarter- Coach Jason Garrett en- seed in the AFC and will
would enter the playoffs for an individual milestone. back Will Grier to make his ters the game with his fu- rest several starters, includ-
with an NFC wild-card He needs 321 yards passing second NFL start. Christian ture with the Cowboys un- ing quarterback Lamar
berth. to become the sixth player McCaffery, whose 109 re- certain after a 3-0 start with Jackson and running back
"It's a very special week for in NFL history with eight sea- ceptions are an NFL record big expectations was over- Mark Ingram.
us," Seahawks coach Pete sons of at 4,000. for a running back, needs shadowed by a 4-8 stretch That will put their franchise-
Carroll said. "It's the last Meanwhile, the Lions have 67 yards receiving to be- that featured two three- best 11-game winning
week of the season, play- lost eight straight games, come only the third player game skids. streak in jeopardy against
ing for everything, for a di- the team's longest skid in league history with 1,000 Dallas has won eight of its a Steelers team still in the
vision and all that. We're since finishing the 2012 sea- yards rushing and receiving last 10 against the Redskins, playoff hunt.
very fortunate to be in that son with eight consecutive in the same season. who'll have Case Kee- Pittsburgh, which will start
situation. It is what we aim losses. Detroit is 0-7 since PHILADELPHIA (8-7) at NEW num at quarterback after Devlin "Duck" Hodges for
for. It's always what we look losing quarterback Mat- YORK GIANTS (4-11) Dwayne Haskins was hurt the fifth straight game,
toward and we always thew Stafford and would The soaring Eagles have last week. Keenum hasn't has a few postseason sce-
wonder if the chance to do finish with the second-worst won three straight and can started since sustaining a narios, but the easiest has
something like this is going record in the NFL with a loss clinch the NFC East with a concussion on Oct. 24 at them beating the Ravens
to happen at home or on and a win by Washington win over the division-rival Minnesota. and having Tennessee lose
the road. over Dallas. Giants. TENNESSEE (8-7) at HOUS- at Houston. If they make it,
"We're thrilled we'll be here." NEW ORLEANS (12-3) at Philadelphia has beaten TON (10-5) the Steelers would become
CenturyLink Field will have CAROLINA (5-10) New York six consecutive The Texans have already only the 15th team since
a familiar face coming Drew Brees and the Saints times, and 10 of 11, so it wrapped up the AFC South, 1970 to reach the playoffs
back "home" in running are another team whose would make sense for the winning the division for the after opening a season 1-4.
back Marshawn Lynch, playoff travel plans could Eagles to be confident fourth time in five games. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
who re-signed with Seattle be affected by the game about their chances. Philly But they'll take on a Titans (5-10) at KANSAS CITY (11-
on Monday after injuries to on Sunday night. New Or- could still win the division team trying to earn a sec- 4)
Chris Carson and Rashaad leans can clinch home- with a loss — as long as Dal- ond playoff berth in three Patrick Mahomes and the
Penny left a void in the Se- field advantage in the las also loses at home to seasons. Chiefs can still earn the
ahawks' backfield. NFC with a win and losses Washington. Tennessee is in if it wins AFC’s No. 2 overall seed
"It's a great feeling to be or ties by either San Fran- The Giants have won two — and would ensure the and a first-round playoff
back," Lynch said in a cisco or Green Bay. The in a row overall, and rook- team's fourth straight win- bye with a victory over the
15-second news confer- Saints could also do it with ie Daniel Jones is coming ning season, its longest Chargers and a loss by New
ence with reporters. a tie and losses by both the throwing a career-best five stretch since 1987-93 when England to the Dolphins.
Never one to be chatty 49ers and Packers. touchdowns in an over- the franchise was in Hous- Continued on Next Page