Seahawks vs 49ers week 4: Somehow our staff is mostly still confident

The 1-2 Seahawks play the 2-1 49ers in week 4. Seattle needs a win worse and our staff mostly thinks Seattle will win but why? After all, Seattle’s defense seems to get worse every week and while the 49ers have a bunch of injuries at running back, Minnesota’s backup running back gained over 100 yards against Seattle in week 3.

But San Francisco might be without All-World tight end George Kittle too. Kittle will be a game-time decision most likely and Kittle is a matchup nightmare for every team in the NFL. That might be equaled out by the Seahawks being without tight end Gerald Everett (COVID-19 related) for sure and possibly receiver Tyler Lockett. Lockett missed practice Thursday.

So if all things are equal, is Seattle the better team? That’s a big question and it may not be about talent. To be more specific, Kyle Shahanan and his offense could easily overwhelm Ken Norton, Jr’s plan on defense (whatever that plan might be because whatever it has been has not worked at all the last two games).

Seahawks versus 49ers week 4: Staff predictions

Offensively, Russell Wilson and his offense must do something in the second half. Seattle has scored just 13 points combined in three second halves and one overtime so far this year. That hasn’t been good enough in two games so far and won’t be good enough against the 49ers either.

The bottom line of this game is that the Seahawks need a win more than the 49ers. Yes, a loss drops the 49ers to 2-2 which would be the same record as Seattle. But a Seattle loss drops them to 1-3 and that might not be able t overcome in the NFC West.

Staff predictions for week 4

Carson Schroer: Seahawks 24 49ers 21

Todd Vandenberg: Seattle 27 49ers 26

Geoff Shull: Seattle 21 49ers 18

Andrew Baillie: Seattle 28 49ers 26

Jake Luppino: Seahawks 24 49ers 23

Kevin Daggett: 49ers 24 Seattle 21

Lee Vowell: 49ers 30 Seahawks 14