Seahawks should overpower the 49ers, but I’m still worried

Seahawks have to at least contain the run

This is because the Seahawks are one of the NFL’s worst defenses against the run. They’re allowing an average of 5.3 yards per carry. As I wrote before the Carolina game, this is in large part because Seattle has faced so many of the league’s top backs. Christian McCaffrey was 16th before the game, and wound up 11th after his huge game against Seattle. Breida is third in the league. I think Seattle is better against the run than the stats show, but be warned.

However, as I wrote in that piece, I didn’t care if McCaffrey went off against the Hawks. His success didn’t have much to do with the Panthers wins or losses, and clearly still doesn’t. Yes, of course, they’re more likely to win if he has a huge game. But the fact remains he did, and Seattle still won.

Matt Breida’s success shows about the same relationship to San Francisco’s record. He shredded the Detroit Lions for 138 yards on just 11 carries in the Niners first win. On the other hand, the Raiders held him to 47 yards from scrimmage, but were annihilated by Nick Mullens in his first career start. Breida had over 130 yards from scrimmage in the 49ers last two games, yet they lost both. A big game by Breida is no guarantee of success.