Seahawks vs 49ers: Reporter delivers grim weather update for NFL playoffs curtain-raiser
Not many would have predicted the Seahawks and 49ers to be in the playoffs, but here they are. It seems the weather didn't plan for it either, as an on-site reporter has outlined the unfriendly conditions for today's contest.
NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche revealed what Levi's Stadium looks like this morning.
The 49ers' home turf has been tarped due to windy, rainy and wet conditions. The report predicted that the game could become a slippery, sloppy game.
As such, one would expect that the stage is set for a bruising slugfest at the behest of Mother Nature. According to The Weather Channel, winds were over 20 miles per hour at 11:00 AM EST with a wind chill putting the temperature at 49 degrees Fahrenheit.
The meteorologists were on point in The Bay. It is raining. It is windy. It is not football weather. https://t.co/syj1QU3XmJ
As the day continues, it is expected to warm up to about 56 degrees at kickoff and the wind is set to simmer down to 12 miles per hour. Around the end of the game at 7:00 PM EST, thunderstorms are expected to roll in. As such, there's a chance of a delay in the fourth quarter or in overtime.
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While the weather is in full effect and expected to have an impact on the game, its mere existence is one of the stories of the day.
At this time last year, no one was picking the 49ers' third-string quarterback to take on the Seahawks' backup quarterback.
However, thanks to mid-season injuries for the San Francisco 49ers and a massive move to trade away Russell Wilson, the 2022-23 Wild Card matchup lies before both teams.
On the one hand, long-time veteran head coach Pete Carroll will be attempting to avenge his Super Bowl loss from back when Russell Wilson was under center.
On the other hand, established offensive guru Kyle Shanahan will hope to avenge his Super Bowl losses when he was with the Atlanta Falcons and the 49ers.
All four starting quarterbacks in today’s wild-card games – Seattle’s Geno Smith, San Francisco’s Brock Purdy, Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence - are making their NFL postseason debuts.
Which coach will take their next step towards erasing their previous failures in February?