The San Francisco 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks for the third time this season, this time with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line.

With Brock Purdy under center, the 49ers are 4–0 in Seattle, and this matchup looks very different than Week 18. Trent Williams is back, Ricky Pearsall could return, and San Francisco may finally have its core pieces in place after weeks of injuries and short rest.

The key? Stopping the run and forcing Sam Darnold to win the game. Seattle gashed the 49ers for 180 rushing yards in their last meeting, but San Francisco’s young defensive tackles have emerged, and veteran Eric Kendricks could be the difference over the middle of the field.

We break down:

• Why this is an “eggshell game” for Sam Darnold

• How the 49ers can slow Seattle’s run game

• The impact of Trent Williams’ return on the offense

• Life without George Kittle and who can step up

• Why Brock Purdy is built for this moment in Seattle

This is a film-based, matchup-driven Divisional Round preview of one of the most familiar — and dangerous — playoff showdowns in the NFC.

Purchase G.O.A.T Fuel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://goatfuel.com/?rfsn=8542698.99750d3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit Sports Spyder for up to date 49ers content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sportspyder.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/news⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @49ers_Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@49ers.access