Dynamic young quarterbacks. Bullying running backs. Rock-solid defenses. Coaches who don’t much like each other. Throw in playoff implications and no wonder the 49ers and Seattle Seahawks were given a prime-time showcase. “There is something about them, man. They’re basically the same team as us and I just hate that fact,” Seattle safety Kam Chancellor said. The 49ers and Seahawks’ fierce rivalry will be in full view before a national TV audience tonight. And the stakes are high. Read More

Sunday night’s game for the 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks may be even more important than last week’s statement win over the New England Patriots because their postseason standing is at stake. The 49ers have virtually clinched their division because they’d have to lose their last two games, including a home game against the Arizona Cardinals, to give the Seahawks a chance to slip in. They aren’t going to lose to the Cardinals. Read More

Linebacker Aldon Smith loves playing in prime time. It takes him back to how he spent so many Friday nights in high school under the lights. Niners teammates Anthony Dixon, Joe Staley and others become similarly nostalgic when they take the field these days with the football spotlight on them. “Under the lights, you knew it was showtime,” Smith said. “It’s just that feeling you get again from being under that spotlight.” Read More

Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers hung tough late in the game to stun Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on the road and in the rain to clinch a playoff berth when few expected them to win at Foxborough. Now, after a long trip home following their 41-34 victory, the Niners (10-3-1) must play a second straight game on the Sunday night prime-time stage when they visit Seattle trying to wrap up a second consecutive NFC West crown. “This is a huge win for us,” left tackle Joe Staley said. “With Seattle winning, we had to win this game. It felt like a playoff game.” Read More