Did The San Francisco 49ers Loss Actually Hurt The Seattle Seahawks?

Sports rivalries are supposed to be black and white. If you are a Portland Timbers fan, you despise, in a friendly sports way, the Seattle Sounders. I’m a Washington Husky and I vehemently root against the Oregon Ducks and the Washington State Cougars. Most of the time, at least. In an increasingly complex world, rivalries are simple. So, by this logic, if I love the Seattle Seahawks (and I have a blue and green wig that attests that I do), then I should hate the San Francisco 49ers. Even further, I should be overjoyed that the Colin Kaepernick-led squad fell to the New Orleans Saints.

Then how come I’m left feeling lukewarm, at best?

Even going into the pivotal game, I was wavering in my anti-Niner allegiance. In fact, I think it would have been better for the Hawks had the Niners won. And no, this isn’t easy to write. Because I do, in actuality, hate the Niners. But my Hawks always come first.

The issue centers on CenturyLink Field. Even at 10-1, there is no doubt that the Seahawks have a nigh mystical feel when playing at home. After all, Russell Wilson has never lost there as a starter. Ever. As the Hawks continue to address their road issues of years prior, travel isn’t quite so daunting. But, with the 12th Man behind them, a trip to New Jersey seems slightly more real.

With that in mind, home field advantage is paramount. Our biggest competition for that is not San Francisco. It is, in fact, New Orleans. And while the Seahawks are in the enviable position of controlling their own destiny, a little insurance policy never hurts, especially when you play next to a stadium called Safeco Field.

The lead in the division is larger (I won’t say comfortably until it is mathematically clinched), than the lead the Hawks possess for home field advantage. Right now, the 49ers are struggling. In fact, if you go back to the Super Bowl, the Niners are just 6-5 in their last 11 games. And the Hawks seem to have their number, winning the last two matchups by a score of 71-16. Even on the road, you have to like the Hawks odds. Plus, if a loss does happen, the Hawks have enough of a lead to absorb it, bounce back and still win the division.

The Saints intimidate me a lot more. Their record is far better, at 8-2, only one game behind the Hawks in the loss column. Drew Brees is, as always, one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Rob Ryan has that defense playing a hell of a lot better than recent years. And, although the Saints’ last trip to Century Link brought about the unforgettable Beast Quake, that game still puts me on edge. Were the Hawks to lose, the teams would be tied in the loss column, with the Saints owning the head-to-head tiebreaker. We really could’ve used that extra cushion that a Niners’ win would have provided.

So, at the end of it all, I came to the conclusion that a Niners’ loss was not, in fact, the best thing for Seattle. I wanted the Niners to win. I have to stop now. I’m genuinely feeling sick to my stomach. I think there is only one thing that makes me feel better. And that is saying this:

I still don’t like Colin Kaepernick and I absolutely loathe the Pittsburgh Steelers. Phew.