Game Overview ::
By Mike Johnson >>
- This is a rematch of a game from two weeks ago when the 49ers dominated the Seahawks and won 31-13 on the road.
- The 49ers are 9-0 and are averaging 33.4 points per game in games that Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams both play and have scored at least 27 points in every game that qualifies.
- In games that Samuel and Williams missed all or part of, the 49ers are 0-3, averaging 17 points per game.
- Seattle’s defense looked solid early in the year but has given up 26 or more points in four of their last five games.
- Dating back to the start of 2022, the 49ers have won the last four matchups between these teams by an average score of 30-14.
How seattle Will Try To Win ::
The Seahawks got off to a hot start this season and had a 5-2 record through Week 8 before dropping four of their last five games to fall into a battle with several other teams for a wild card spot in the NFC. A big part of the Seahawks early season success had to do with a defense that looked very good, but the biggest factor likely was the opponents they were facing. Put simply, the Seahawks have won several games against teams with poor records and/or backup QB’s. While they did put up quite a fight against the Cowboys last Thursday night, the Seahawks downfall in 2023 has coincided with a significant increase in the degree of difficulty of their opponents – which should not be surprising.
As we enter Week 13 and try to project how this Seahawks team will approach the game, we have to look first at the struggles of their defense and the potency of the 49ers offense. In the last meeting between these teams, they played on a short week and Geno Smith was dealing with an elbow injury. After a huge performance against the Cowboys in Week 13, it is safe to say that Smith’s elbow is now healthy, and Seattle has had extra time to prepare for this game. The Seahawks have given up 26 or more points in four of their last five games, the only exception being a 17-16 loss to the Rams in a game in which Kyren Williams did not play and Cooper Kupp exited in the first quarter with an ankle injury. On the flip side, the 49ers at full strength this season have been a cheat code to score 30 points, reaching that total in eight of nine games in which both Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams were healthy. Combining those factors, we can safely say that Seattle should enter this game expecting to score many points if they want to pull off an upset. Head coach Pete Carroll prefers to grind teams out, and they do know the 49ers well, but this San Francisco offense has been a freight train, and the Seahawks defense is not one of their vintage units that can shut anyone down. Regardless of Carroll’s preferences, Seattle will enter the game with an aggressive mindset or be pushed to it quickly.
Adding to the Seahawks offensive issues are the injuries in their backfield. Kenneth Walker has missed the last two games with an oblique injury and missed practice to start this week. Zach Charbonnet has assumed the lead role in Walker’s absence but is dealing with a knee injury now and missed Wednesday’s practice as well. Deejay Dallas is the next man up and is primarily a receiving back, further pushing the narrative that Seattle will have to throw the ball a lot in this spot. San Francisco faces the highest opponent’s pass rate in the league and their opponents throw the ball, on average, 38.7 times per game. Seattle will have to throw the ball early and often in this one, with their trio of wide receivers involved at different levels. Their level of success is still in question, however, against a San Francisco defense that ranks 3rd in pass defense DVOA, 1st in PFF pass-rush grade, and 3rd in PFF coverage grade.
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