(Photo: Field Gulls)
NFC Game Of The Week
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
49ers: The three-game losing streak seems to be in the rearview mirror at this point. They’ve won their last two games and have reverted back to playing that dominant style of football that we saw earlier in the year when they got off to a 5-0 start. The other day, I recorded a phone call for Monday Evening Quarterback with a huge San Francisco 49ers fan and I told him something that the Chase Young acquisition reminded me off. I said it’s very reminiscent of when the Los Angeles Rams acquired Von Miller in 2021 at the trade deadline and he was very intrigued by those thoughts. He even added that he remembers what the move resulted in for the Rams which was winning the Super Bowl. Have you all notice the impact that Deebo Samuel has on this offense? He’s their most important player and even if he doesn’t have a huge game within the stat sheet, his impact beyond the game speaks volumes and I say that because he forces defenses to adjust along with him putting pressure on them. Remember during the offseason when the Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers and we all said all the firepower was in the AFC? Look at the AFC now and look at the race we have in the NFC atop the conference with the Eagles at 9-1, the Lions, Cowboys and 49ers all in the hunt. As usual, this is going to be a tough team to play come January because they are so physical on both lines and as I always say, that physical nature travels regardless of the conditions outside. Tonight, they’ll make a trip to Seattle for a showdown with a divisional rival.
Seahawks: Sunday was as tough of a loss as they come. They did everything correctly to push the ball down the field and get themselves into Field Goal range all to miss the kick. They lost that game to the Rams by a point! They are a weird team and I mean that in the most professional way possible. Geno Smith was such a nice story last year as he put together the best season of his career in the NFL and he helped lead the Seahawks to the playoffs when many expected them to struggle and “tank”. Again, it’s tough to put together back-to-back quality seasons in this league because you end up being figured out and eventually, there’s more tape on you and defenses come up with gameplans to limit you and that’s exactly what it’s been. Every time I watch Kenneth Walker III, I always ask myself this one question: How solid would the Seahawks be if he shared the same backfield with Russell Wilson? He is such a versatile weapon out the backfield and can also catch the football out the backfield. I also think Seattle got themselves a future star in the making in rookie Cornerback, Devon Witherspoon. He’s a tackling machine with the ability to play the run and cover your best receivers. Devon has the potential to be a top five corner if he puts the work in. If the playoffs were to begin today, they’d be in as a Wild Card team. They’ll return home tonight for a divisional tilt with the San Francisco 49ers.
49ers X-Factor: Arik Armstead– This is another key piece of the puzzle that is the 49ers defense. Arik is 6’7 with those long strides while using those long arms to his full advantage. I’ve always loved his pursuit of the ball-carrier because he will run after guys even if they are on the other side of the field. There’s no quit in Arik’s game. Also, with Nick Bosa and Chase Young on the edge, Arik will see his share of single looks on the inside.
Seahawks X-Factor: Jordyn Brooks– I think he’s panned out nicely for them. I still remember when people bashed them for drafting him. I can see the Seahawks getting back to being an elite defense and Jordyn will be apart of this. He’s a tackling machine and finds his way to the ball. Jordyn plays with the downhill mindset at all times and he can get home to the passer as well. They need him to disrupt Purdy tonight.
Final Thoughts: There have been so many memorable moments between these two. Terrell Owens signing an autograph as a touchdown celebration (hence the title), the epic NFC Championship in 2014 when Richard Sherman went on his epic rant after the game and Sherm would end up signing with the 49ers a few years ago after being released by Seattle. These are the two best teams in the NFC West. Expect the 49ers to be in control of this game on both sides of the football. Seattle will throw many looks at them, but watch the 9ers pick them all up. Geno Smith’s availability is up in the air still and even if he does play, how healthy is he? Kenneth Walker III is expected to not play either. If Drew Lock ends up starting, he will be tested by this defense. I like the 49ers on the road here.
Prediction: 49ers 28, Seahawks 13
