The 2020 NFL regular season has concluded, and the final results are in. The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams won their respective contests against the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals and will face each other in the first round of the postseason, while the latter two teams turn their attention to the offseason. Let’s dive into the specifics of how both games went.
Seattle Seahawks 26, San Francisco 49ers 23
The Seahawks took a 6-0 lead in the first six minutes on Sunday but surrendered 16 unanswered points to the 49ers for nearly three full quarters of play due to the offense’s inability to find a rhythm and the defense staying on the field for too long as a result.
However, the Seahawks broke out offensively in the fourth quarter with two solid scoring drives ending in touchdown passes to Tyler Lockett to take a 19-16 lead. After that, Benson Mayowa strip-sacked CJ Beathard and Rasheem Green recovered the ball, which set up a rushing touchdown by Alex Collins. The 49ers would score a last-minute touchdown to cut the deficit to 26-23 but would fail to recover the ensuing onside kick.
The Seahawks swept the 49ers with this victory and will play the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round of the postseason. San Francisco finishes the 2020 season at 6-10 at the bottom of the division and holds the 12th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Rams 18, Arizona Cardinals 7
You could argue Arizona was doomed relatively early when the team lost Kyler Murray to an ankle injury on their first drive. Despite this, the Cardinals landed the first blow as rookie running back Jonathan Ward had a rushing touchdown on the first carry of his NFL career following an interception by linebacker Jordan Hicks. The Rams answered with a field goal and nearly took the lead on their next offensive drive, but Cam Akers fumbled at the one-yard line and the Cardinals recovered. However, Justin Pugh committed a holding penalty in the end zone on 2nd down, giving the Rams a safety.
It was all downhill from there, as the Rams would add a touchdown before halftime and two field goals in the second half while denying the Cardinals from scoring at all. Murray returned in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t make anything happen. Los Angeles quarterback Jared Goff was inactive, but backup John Wolford got the job done in his stead. The Cardinals’ season is over and they will pick 16th in the 2021 draft for now, while the Rams will play Seattle in the wild card round in the Emerald City.
