The Seattle Seahawks just got a major boost in the national conversation.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on November 25, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said he would be âabsolutely shockedâ if the NFC Super Bowl representative is not the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks or Philadelphia Eagles, notably leaving the San Francisco 49ers out of his top tier.
He added that he does not believe the 49ers can win the Super Bowl this season, citing concerns about their defense and quarterback Brock Purdyâs recent interceptions.
Dan Orlovsky Elevates Seahawks, Downgrades 49ers
Orlovsky was breaking down the NFC picture when he put the Rams âon a different planet than everybody else.â But the bigger surprise was who he placed next to them, and who he left out.
âI would be absolutely shocked if the NFC rep isnât L.A., Seattle or Philly,â Orlovsky said, slotting the Seahawks alongside the defending NFC champions and the hottest team in the conference.
The 49ers, long treated as the measuring stick in the NFC West, didnât make his short list. Orlovsky questioned whether San Franciscoâs defense is still dominant enough for a deep postseason run and shifted the focus to Purdyâs recent struggles with turnovers.
He explained that Purdyâs early success came from aggressive anticipation throws â getting the ball out on time and downfield. This season, Orlovsky argued, those same throws are often a beat late, turning what used to be big plays into risky balls that defenders can jump.
Orlovsky did say the issues are âabsolutely correctable,â but his overall stance was clear: heâs more confident in the Rams, Seahawks and Eagles as true Super Bowl threats right now.
What It Means for the Seahawksâ NFC Path
For Seattle, the takeaway is simple: at least one prominent national voice believes the Seahawks belong in the NFCâs smallest Super Bowl club.
The Seahawks are firmly in the playoff race and very much in the mix in the NFC West. With key divisional games still on the schedule and multiple chances to make statements in primetime, Seattle has an opportunity to back up Orlovskyâs faith.
Head coach Mike Macdonald has the defense trending in the right direction, and the offense has shown it can score in bunches when Sam Darnold is in rhythm and the run game is rolling. If the Seahawks can stack wins down the stretch and steal at least one marquee game against the Rams or 49ers, theyâll look a lot more like the kind of team Orlovsky is talking about.
Brock Purdy Questions Open the Door for Seattle
The other part of Orlovskyâs take matters just as much in Seattle: his doubts about San Francisco.
He pointed directly at Purdyâs interception problem and the 49ersâ defensive wear and tear as reasons he doesnât see them hoisting the Lombardi Trophy this season. That doesnât mean the 49ers wonât be dangerous, but it does suggest the NFC West might be more open than it has been in years.
If Purdy continues to turn the ball over and San Franciscoâs defense canât consistently dominate, the door is there for a surging Seahawks team to crash the NFC party. And if Seattle does make that run, Orlovskyâs three-team Super Bowl tier is going to look awfully prophetic to Seahawks fans.
Of course, Seahawks fans will welcome any 49ers criticism, especially if it suggests the Seahawks will have an advantage in the 49ers-Seahawks regular season finale in January. Â
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Seahawks Get Huge Super Bowl Nod as Analyst Snubs 49ers appeared first on Heavy Sports.