Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers: 4 Second-Half Keys for the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks' fleeting playoff chances are on the line today as the 7-7 'Hawks play host to the NFC West-winning San Francisco 49ers.

People love throwing around the term "must-win game" for teams. For once, the cliché rings true for the Seahawks. If they want to make a surprise late-season surge to snatch one of the NFC’s wild-card spots, they’ll have to close out the stingy 49ers. 

Here’s four ways they can pull it off in the second half:

Keep the Emotions Riding High

Seattle is notoriously a tough place for opposing teams. Just ask Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints about the playoff atmosphere. 

From the kickoff and onward, the game has been a testy one between the longtime rivals. Numerous scuffles have already broken out and the scene is a lively one.

The 49ers have plenty at stake, too, but so long as emotions are high, fortune favors the home team.

Feed Marshawn Lynch the Ball (and Skittles)

No team has been able to successfully run on the tight 49ers run defense. That said, Lynch has been running tough, and successfully (14 carries, 83 yards), against the Patrick Willis-less 49ers.

Tavaris Jackson has been decent, but the ‘Hawks will go as far as Lynch can take them.

Play Action, Anyone?

For how successful the 49ers defense has been this season, they’ve been exposed through the air with some regularity. They’ve just made up for giving up gaudy passing numbers with takeaways. 

With the 49ers keying in on stopping Lynch, they are vulnerable to giving up a deep play or two.

Make the 49ers Beat You Deep

The 49ers offense has been most successful with short plays and controlling the game with their vaunted rushing attack.

Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter have been effective, but Alex Smith and company have yet to produce any big, deep plays. Until they show that they can be effective deep, might as well stack the box.