Seahawks vs. 49ers: Game Preview and Prediction
For the second consecutive week, the San Francisco 49ers will be showcased on primetime. The 49ers will play host to division rival Seattle Seahawks in what has been a highly anticipated matchup since the conclusion of week nine. Unlike with the Arizona Cardinals, this game is a must watch for any and all football fans.
Monday night football between these two teams is the perfect setup to rekindle the heated rivalry that has been lost for the last five years. The 49ers have not been relevant since 2014, if even that. Now that they are off to such a dominant start and are at the forefront of the league, this matchup has a fire to it again. The 49ers and Seahawks have a combined record of 15-2.
As great as the 49ers have been, the Seahawks are not that far down the totem pole. Seattle has had a successful season so far through nine games and they are getting it done through the phenomenal play of Russell Wilson, who is by far the lead candidate for MVP. Wilson has just been playing out of this world. He has 22 touchdowns and only one interception. Those stats are alone do not even tell enough of the elite season he is having.
The 49ers will not face a better quarterback this season outside of Wilson and this is only their first of two matchups they have with him. Wilson has the ability and intellect to avoid the pressure of the 49ers' vaunted pass rush. He is sure to have looked at tape at how Kyler Murray was utilized to negate the pressure of the 49ers. San Francisco will also be without star linebacker Kwon Alexander, so rookie Dre Greenlaw will fill in.
Wilson is sure to test Greenlaw in coverage to see if he is a weak spot to take advantage of. If not, the Seahawks can always run it with Chris Carson since the 49ers' defense isn't too stout against the run. If Carson manages to get to the second-level of the defense, then the 49ers will be in trouble. Carson outweighs both Greenlaw and Fred Warner. The last thing they want is to go heads up with Carson who runs like a bull.
Taking away the running game will be tough for the defense of the 49ers, but it is the main key since shutting down Russell Wilson isn't very likely. However, crazier things have been done before and if there is any coordinator who can devise a plan to slow down Wilson it is Robert Saleh. The defense just needs to minimize Seattle's offense to a degree because the offense of the 49ers is going to light up the scoreboard.
The glory days of being a nightmare for offenses is over the Seahawks' defense. They are arguably one of the worst in the league and it stems from their lack of production at getting to the quarterback. Seattle has the fourth worst disruption rate and sack rate of all defenses in the NFL via ESPN NFL Matchup. They just can't figure out how to pressure the quarterback, let alone sack them.
Many people may see this game as a close one, but I do not. I fully expect the 49ers' offense to have their way with Seattle's defense. Even without George Kittle, the 49ers will be able to drop points in bunches. If turnover machine Jameis Winston could gash the defense of the Seahawks, then imagine what Jimmy Garoppolo will do. Having another career day is definitely within the grasp of Garoppolo.
The 49ers should win this game by two scores. They are getting back all of their key injured players who they lost from early in the season. Not to mention that Kyle Shanahan has had extra days to prepare for the Seahawks. That in it of itself is already unfair. Shanahan has created the perfect game plan every week. And if we are comparing coordinators, he should be able to run circles around Ken Norton Jr. This game will be an exciting one that see's the 49ers remaining undefeated.
Final: Seahawks 28 49ers 38
