Seahawks Rival Watch: NFC West
By Jacob Sosler
San Francisco 49ers: 1-4
San Francisco has had a mixed year so far. Once the class of the NFC West, the 49ers have regressed into a perennial bottom feeder the past few seasons. After demolishing the Rams in Monday Night Football, they’ve continued to struggle. Amid immense fanfare and scrutiny, Chip Kelly has continued to stick with perennial disappointment Blaine Gabbert at the quarterback. However, this may be coming to an end soon.
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Colin Kaepernick ran his way to becoming the darling of the NFL in 2012, but he has been relegated to watching this dreadful excuse for an NFL roster from his front row seat on the bench (Sidenote- Anyone know what’s been going on with him? Haven’t heard his name in awhile…not). Things are looking up for the 28-year-old, as he could get a shot to start next week.
Insider Buzz: 49ers Expected to Start Colin Kaepernick Against Bills | Bleacher Report https://t.co/enc4bziexn
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) October 7, 2016
The 49ers offense has gone three and out on 48.1% of their possessions. Kaepernick or even third-stringer Christian Ponder can’t be any worse than Gabbert at this point.
I know kaepernick is a flawed QB, but I also know he's a bigger threat than Blaine Gabbert. So bad.
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) October 7, 2016
Elsewhere, things aren’t much better. 2016 1st round pick’s DeForest Buckner and Joshua Garnett have dealt with injuries throughout the year. Their number one receiver, Jeremy Kerley, is on his third team this season, while high priced free agent Torrey Smith hasn’t panned out. After losing Navarro Bowman for the season, their defense is largely bereft of talent on all levels. San Francisco is dead last in defending the run, allowing 140.5 yards per game.
They are also allowing opponents to record 458.3 yards per game and 35.7 points. They are 31st in yards allowed per play (6.37) and have missed 32 tackles this season (per PFF). It’s still early, but this looks like a lost season for Chip Kelly’s Niners. After being walloped at the C-Link, the 49ers will welcome Seattle to Santa Clara to close out the season.