Seahawks should heed Admiral Ackbar’s warning: It’s a trap!
The Seahawks face the 49ers Sunday, continuing what was once one of the league’s biggest rivalries. That “once” part is exactly why I’m concerned.
Once upon a time, the Seahawks and 49ers had one of the NFL’s very best rivalries. Since 2002 when Seattle joined the new four team NFC West, the Hawks and Niners won 11 of the 16 division titles. Lately, it’s been one-sided as the Seahawks have reeled off nine straight wins against the Niners. Regardless, I’m reminded of Admiral Akbar’s famous words.
The Seattle Seahawks haven’t had the greatest of seasons in 2018. If you don’t believe me, just ask Richard Sherman. The former Seahawks great is right, Seattle is indeed 6-5. It’s also true the Hawks are fighting in every game. Sherman somehow left out that his new team is just 2-9. He conveniently skipped that the San Francisco 49ers are coming off back to back losses to the Giants and Buccaneers. Those teams had four wins combined heading into their games with the Niners.
The 49ers lost to the Rams by four touchdowns in their only meeting so far. Seattle lost two games to Los Angeles by a total of seven points. Overall, the Seahawks have scored 33 points more than they’ve allowed. The 49ers have given up 54 more than they’ve scored. Russell Wilson is, by many measures, having the best season of his career. Niners quarterback Nick Mullens is having the best season of his career too. The problem is it’s his only season, and it isn’t very good.
The Oakland Raiders made Mullens look like the second coming of Joe Montana, as he threw for three touchdowns. He then crashed back to earth with just two touchdowns and four interceptions against the Giants and Bucs. Considering that Tampa Bay is atrocious against the pass, the aerial attack of the Niners shouldn’t make Bradley McDougald, Tre Flowers and crew lose too much sleep.
Seahawks need to stay sharp versus 49ers
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So why exactly am I concerned about this game? A few reasons come to mind. Let’s start with the running game. San Francisco is pretty good at stopping the run. They’re seventh in rushing scores allowed, and eighth in rushing average at 4.0 yards per carry. They have a pretty good back themselves in Matt Breida. He’s averaging a pretty sick 5.8 yards per carry and is coming off two straight 100 yards games.
On the flip side, the Seahawks haven’t exactly been stellar against the ground game. After the Panthers rambled for 220 yards, Seattle ranks dead last in the league at 5.3 yards per carry. That’s a recipe for a big day by Freida. The Hawks have been hit or miss when it comes to containing the NFL’s best backs. Happily in most cases, as in last week against Christian McCaffrey, it didn’t matter. Still, it took three fourth quarter scoring drives to win that game.
Seattle is coming off a big road win, their second straight win over a potential playoff rival. After this game they’ll host the tough Minnesota Vikings, also battling for the playoffs. The last time they faced a similar situation was against the Cardinals. They’d just beaten the Cowboys and were facing a big test versus the Rams in the following game. The Seahawks were as flat as the horizon in Arizona, and barely eked out a three point win on a field goal as time expired. (Yes, I know they have mountains, but they’re way out there. Give me some artistic license).
It would be very easy for the Seahawks to look past the Niners as well. They may look at them as a one dimensional team. They are, but that one dimension is Matt Brieda, and he’s pretty scary. Richard Sherman is right about one thing. The Seahawks are fighting in every game. If they do that Sunday, they’ll win and keep the rivalry in the past tense.