Point After: Next great QB rivalry blooming out west

Craig MacEwen reports from Seattle where quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson share similarities as they prepare to lead their teams to victory in the NFC Championship game.

All the talk heading into championship weekend has been about the next chapter of the epic rivalry between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game of football.

And while the 15th meeting of these legends may be the most important of the bunch, there’s another competition blooming under centre out west, and it could just end up being equally as epic.

Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick will face each other for the fourth time on Sunday and the stakes couldn’t be any higher: a trip to the Super Bowl lies in wait for the quarterback that comes out on top at CenturyLink Field in the next installment of the NFL’s newest rivalry.

But these aren’t your dad’s stand-in-the-pocket, three-step drop quarterbacks; no, these guys can move. In fact, Wilson and Kaepernick are at their best when they’re on the run, something no one has ever declared about Brady or Manning.

The days of immobility at the quarterback position are ending and the read-option boys in the NFC West are leading the charge.

But here’s the question: as Wilson and Kaepernick get set to square off in what’s sure to be one of many more encounters, which quarterback is primed to come out on top of this blossoming rivalry when all is said and done?

Below, Sportsnet’s Geoff Lowe and Jeff Simmons dispute just that, and break down the keys to the NFC Championship:

Who has the brighter NFL future: Wilson or Kaepernick?

Lowe: I’ve got to go with Kaepernick here, and there’s one reason why: athleticism. Wilson is a great quarterback, there’s no denying it, but Kaepernick has all the tools: he’s taller, stronger, a better passer and a superior runner.

The Nevada product is also no slouch protecting the rock either: Kaepernick has thrown just two interceptions compared to 12 touchdowns over the 49ers eight-game win streak leading up to the NFC title game.

Kaepernick has already played in five post-season games, including a Super Bowl, and has come out on top in four of those contests. His 3-0 road playoff record is the best by a starting pivot in franchise history.

No. 7 might still be raw, but his high ceiling is undeniable.

Simmons: There’s no doubt that Kaepernick is an elite talent, but I’m going Russell Wilson all the way.

Despite his small stature, Wilson has everything you’d want at the quarterback position — arm strength, mobility, smarts, leadership and an elite work ethic. He has those qualities you just can’t teach.

It’s easy to look at Wilson’s passing numbers and question his potential or abilities but that would be a huge mistake. You have to remember that Wilson is just doing what he is being asked to by his risk-averse coaching staff.

In fact, many believe Wilson could put up monster passing numbers if he played in a different offence (say New Orleans or Philadelphia). In Seattle, he’s asked to avoid turnovers and mistakes (similar to the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers), and it’s an area in which he’s truly excelled.

That’s why Wilson has won more games in his first two seasons than any other quarterback in NFL history, including Ben Roethlisberger, Brady and Manning. He’s thrown 52 touchdowns in his first two regular seasons (tied for second-most in NFL history with Manning) and he’s doing this all in a limited offence that doesn’t have a bonafide No. 1 receiver. Percy Harvin was supposed to be just that, but he’s been hurt most of the season.

As impressive as Kaepernick’s skill set is, Wilson is a special player. He’s the guy to bank on.

Which running back will have the bigger impact in the NFC Championship?

Lowe: Frank Gore’s impact against the Seahawks can’t be understated. Gore has rushed for more yards against Seattle in his career (1,364) than any other team, averaging more than 85 yards a game against the 49ers’ divisional foe.

In week two Gore racked up a measly 16 yards on nine carries against the Seahawks and, no surprise, the Niners got whooped. In San Fran’s Week 14 victory over their NFC West rivals, the former Miami Hurricane ran for 110 yards, including a 51-yard scamper late to set up the game-winning field goal.

While Kaepernick’s play is important to the 49ers, Gore is the key to their success on offence. San Francisco is 7-0 this season when Gore reaches the end zone, while all four of the team’s losses have come in games in which the running back has been held without a score. Putting the ball in Gore’s hands has to be Jim Harbaugh’s No. 1 priority.

Simmons: This is a tough one. Frank Gore has given the Seahawks a ton of trouble over the years but Marshawn Lynch stands out a bit more. The physical back is the heart and soul of the Seahawks’ offence and may be the toughest player to tackle in the entire league.

Considering the elite players on the San Francisco defence, Lynch has had pretty good success against the 49ers since coming to Seattle. They have not been able to contain him over the last two years—he has surpassed 95 rushing yards in three of his past four matchups against the 49ers and has scored rushing touchdowns in three of those contests.

Lynch has proven to take his game to a higher level in the post-season (see Beastquake versus the Saints, or simply last week’s two-touchdown performance). He’s caused seismic activity at CenturyLink Field before and the 49ers should be geared up to stop him. It’s never easy.

Who has the advantage on defence Sunday?

Lowe: The 49ers defence ranks in the top 10 of every major defensive category and while that unit boasts plenty of high-calibre players, none have come up bigger than San Francisco’s linebacking corps, who make that defence click.

Widely considered the best group of linebackers in the NFL, Patrick Willis, Ahmad Brooks, NaVarro Bowman and Aldon Smith have combined for seven sacks, one interception and a forced fumble in the two road playoff wins. Not to mention two goal-line stands against the Panthers in the divisional round, key plays for a defence that held Cam Newton and company to just 10 points in Carolina.

And while Marshawn Lynch has historically done a number on the 49ers, there have been signs of improvement this season.

Sure, the Seahawks secondary is unrivaled in the NFL, but in a contest that will be dominated by the run game, San Francisco’s “fearsome foursome” gives the 49ers the advantage on defence.

Simmons: This NFC West rematch is going to be a heavyweight fight, especially on the defensive end. Everything about these two defensive units is physical but the one group that could pose a significant advantage in the game is the Seahawks, thanks largely to their outstanding play in the secondary.

There’s no doubt that the Seahawks have the most proficient group of defensive backs in the entire league. They have two All-Pro safeties (Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas) who guard the middle of the field and the most productive cornerback in the game (Richard Sherman) manning the back end of the defence. It’s tough to throw for big yards on this group.

Seattle will definitely have a tough task going up against receivers Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis but the Seahawks match up well physically. Starting cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell both stand taller than six feet and don’t shy away from contact at the line of scrimmage.

The Seahawks (especially Sherman) have a special ability to create turnovers. They led the league in takeaways as a whole and Sherman was tops with eight interceptions, despite being the least-targeted cornerback in the NFL.

Seattle shut down the Saints’ passing game last week and will look to do the same again Sunday in the NFC Championship.

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