SANTA CLARA, California (AP) ― Richard Sherman’s leaping deflection of a pass headed for Michael Crabtree in the corner of the end zone was the defining moment to seal last January’s NFC championship game that sent the Seattle Seahawks on their way to a Super Bowl win.

The tip landed right in the hands of Malcolm Smith for the interception. Sherman’s mouthy response afterward ― along with a choking gesture toward Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers bench ― will certainly fuel San Francisco as the NFC West rivals face off Thursday night for the first of two important matchups in a three-week span.

“It was cool just to clinch the game like that,” defensive end Cliff Avril said. “No better person to do it than Sherm and Malcolm getting it.”

Sherman made the play, then patted Crabtree on the backside while extending his hand for a shake, prompting the 49ers wideout to shove the brash cornerback in the face.

After that 23-17 victory at CenturyLink Field, Sherman took it much further.

“I was making sure everybody knew Crabtree was a mediocre receiver,” Sherman said. “And when you try the best corner in the game with a mediocre receiver that’s what happens.”

Sherman was later fined for unsportsmanlike conduct and taunting.

“Obviously you want to win that game, but it’s in the past now,” Kaepernick said. “We know we’ve been through this before. But it’s a different year, a different season.”

It’s all still plenty fresh as the rivals play another meaningful game merely 10 months later, this time between a pair of 7-4 teams trying to stay alive in the playoff race with a chance to catch first-place Arizona (9-2).

“I remember just the feeling after we got that interception and sealing our trip to the Super Bowl,” Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “All that is in the past. They’re trying to make it to the playoffs this year, just like we’re trying to.”

Kaepernick isn’t about to get involved in any kind of back and forth with the emotional defensive back. He expects Crabtree to be focused, too.

“It’s another game for him. I don’t think he’s worried about anything else,” Kaepernick said.