Game Thread: San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

[HaroldSeattle]

Other than one play - we're still struggling with RB screens.

Last screen 49ers had a shove in the back to help that play.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Man, Austin Calitro, where did this guy come from?

 

[blstoker]

Man, Austin Calitro, where did this guy come from?

He's definitely having a good game.

 

[WizardHawk]

More penalties wiping out good plays.

 

[blstoker]

Why have we gotten away from the play action?

 

[Screamin12th]

Nice to see Ford out there once again for a few plays earlier. Might as well see if that bowling ball can help the run Defense.

 

[WizardHawk]

Second and 15, inside handoff.

I love running the ball, but sheesh.

 

[seahawksfan234]

Positives:

Russell Wilson - Statistically, Wilson is having his best season in the NFL, and that's in no small part because of his efficient play over the last 3 weeks and has had over 100 rating in 7 of the last 9 games (5-2 when he's had a 100 rating, both losses were the Rams). Wilson is 11-2 against the 49ers, 7-0 in Seattle. Offensive success could look a great deal like last week - as the 9ers are a lot better against the run than Carolina, and if they decide to take that away from the Seahawks, the numbers suggest they should be able to do it.

Chris Carson - Carson has helped a great deal in the resurgence of the Seahawks running game. He's patient while still being decisive - quick and physical, and the Seahawks are 5-1 when Carson gets 14 or more carries (obviously, 1-4 when he doesn't). There are concerns on his health and ability to take a beating - and he's been putting the ball on the ground lately - but he's still a guy who injects energy and confidence into the offense.

Turnovers - Led by Russell Wilson's 5 interceptions - Seattle has the leagues lowest number of turnovers thus far this season with only 9. San Francisco's defense has forced a league worst 5 turnovers this season, and are tied for the worst with a -17 turnover differential. Mullens has thrown 2 interceptions in each of the last 2 weeks, and the Seahawks are ranked #11 in forced turnovers despite ending their 3 week draught last week. The defense need to force the 9ers into coughing up the ball.

Negatives:

Matt Breida -The Seahawks run defense is atrocious. There really isn't much that can be said about that. They give up a league high 5.3 yards per carry. Breida is leading the NFL with 5.8 yards per carry. He's fast and gets to the edge in a hurry. 9ers could use him like the Panthers used McCaffery - a situation that has been a hole in the Seahawks defense all year long. With the 9ers starting a 3rd string QB, it's imperative that they take Breida away and make Mullens beat them downfield - but until they show they can consistently deal with opposing RBs, I'll continue to think they can't.

George Kittle - Kittle is the leading receiver for the 9ers, he has more catches then the next 2 players combined. With Garcon out, and Goodwin expected to miss the game as well - Kittle is the only reliable target that Mullens will have. Kittle has at least 4 catches every game this year but 1 (week 2 against Detroit). Seattle's linebackers will need to find ways to take out SF's TEs and RBs (ranked 1, 3 &5 on the team for receptions of those suiting up for the game).

Richard Sherman - Despite not having any interceptions and not being fully healthy for the entire season - reports I've been hearing is that Sherman has been playing pretty solid in San Francisco, or at least that he's not being targeted (not surprising when their other corner is garbage). He's gonna be motivated to play well, show the team exactly what he has left. Whether it's really enough to impress or not may not be as important to him as the chip on his shoulder (which he needs to stay engaged in the process). I don't know how often he'll be challenged, but if he can take away Russell's scramble to the right away, it could make us less effective on broken plays. He's always been solid against the run - so some of those bounce outs that have been effective this year may not be as much.

Matchups:

Tyler Lockett vs. Richard Sherman - Even when fully healthy, Richard struggled with small, quick, shifty WRs, and Lockett is the prototype for that. With Lockett having a breakout year this year, and becoming a threat all over the offense - look for him to use double moves against Sherman when matched up (Baldwin as well), but Wilson needs to be sure that he doesn't underthrow balls to that side, like he's been known to do from time to time.

Seahawk O-Line vs. 9ers DLine - The Seahawks pushed most opponents around at will until Carolina - whose DLine averaged 300 pounds per player. San Francisco averages 295. The consulation is that Warner isn't Kuechly and Smith isn't Davis, but if the OLine can't get consistent push against the bigs of SF (whose smallest member is 280+), then the weak 9er linebackers may not have to be the best players at their position to stymie the Hawks running game.

Griffin/Flowers/Thompson/McDougal/Coleman vs. Bourne/Taylor/Pettis/James - Our defensive backfield has had it's growing pain this season. There have been times that each of them have played just horribly, but there's been plays they've made as well. In recent weeks, too many receivers have been allowed to run free - without a defender around - allowing big plays.

Overview:

The Hawks are going against an offense who is missing their starting QB, their projected starting RB, their top 2 WRs. This is a situation that should make the Hawks salivate at the opportunity this allows them. Unfortunately, instead of giving me confidence, it makes me think of the Washington game last year. Despite all the obstacles they've faced this season, the 9ers have 1 yard less of offense that the Seahawks, and 100 yards less allowed on defense. If not for the turnovers, the teams could be very similar. San Francisco just could be better than their 2-9 record would suggest. This game could come down to who takes care of the football and who doesn't - and though Seattle has been better at it this season than the 9ers, 3 of those turnovers negatively effected the outcome of games for Seattle already.

Good preview as always, Blstoker.

I'm a bit late to the party. Been ironing out the details for my trip to LA for the Rose Bowl.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

K I'm getting sick of Mike Davis. Carson is a monster and Penny just has the athleticism... if you want to do a 3 runningback crew go sign Kareem Hunt at this point.

 

[seahawksfan234]

Nice to see Ford out there once again for a few plays earlier. Might as well see if that bowling ball can help the run Defense.

He was by far my favorite UDFA signing.

One of my friends who is a big Longhorns fan was super high on him.

 

[Screamin12th]

ultra conservative, this is what causes the Hawks to struggle at times against Sub par competition.

 

[blstoker]

Second and 15, inside handoff.

I love running the ball, but sheesh.

16/5 rushes to passes.....

 

[WizardHawk]

lol. Man are the 9'ers just bad.

 

[blstoker]

Man, the 9ers just love to give the other team the ball.

 

[WizardHawk]

That's a penalty every time. Just blew wilson up during his slide.

 

[Screamin12th]

ok lets go into halftime up 20-0

 

[HaroldSeattle]

lol. Man are the 9'ers just bad.

Not much going right for them.

 

[seahawksfan234]

What was the crowd reaction to Richard Sherman? I was kind of caught up booking my flight.

 

[blstoker]

Hard play there for Smith.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

lol what a huge break. Those poor refs, lmao. Having to dive into a bunch of testosterone amped guys. I almost get ha- OH jeez uhhh everyone calm down here, just everyone calm down.