3 bold predictions for Seahawks versus 49ers week 4

The Seattle Seahawks face an almost-must-win game against the 49ers in week 4. San Francisco is an injured bunch (they seem to stay that way for some reason). Seattle’s passing game should be able to take advantage of all the injuries the 49ers have at cornerback but then Tyler Lockett has missed time in practice this week with a hip injury.

Seattle faces a short week after the 49ers game and returns to Seattle to play the Rams. Next week could make or break the season for Seattle. Yes, it is early but the NFC West is too tough to get down much early. If by this time next week Seattle is 1-4, the season is done.

Two of my three bold (and likely way wrong) predictions this week are negative. But as always, I hope I am wrong about anything negative happening to the Seahawks.

Here are three things that happen when the Seahawks play the 49ers in week 4

George Kittle plays and has 130 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns

The 49ers great tight end Kittle is questionable with a calf injury. As much as anyone can with no inside info on the San Francisco football team, I guarantee he will play. And he will play well. K.J. Wright was pretty good at covering tight ends during his time in Seattle but, of course, Wright plays for the Raiders now. That and Seattle can’t seem to cover anyone.

Kittle will be targeted 12 times and catch 10 of them and score twice. The Seahawks currently rank 20th in the NFL in covering tight ends and all 5.3 catches on 7 targets a game. But they haven’t yet faced a player like Kittle.

Russell Wilson gets sacked 5 times and throws for 180 yards

Nick Bosa is going to have a huge game with 3 sacks. Seattle is going to be without right tackle Brandon Shell again this week too. My fear is that this game is close at halftime and Russell Wilson falls back to his old ways in the second half of looking for home runs instead of checking down.

It’s odd, actually. Wilson has fantastic raw statistics so far this season but anyone has watched the Seattle offense knows something is off. It’s the small mistakes that have drives end far too early. Many times this is Wilson looking to make a play. This week, he is going to get a lot more and won’t have time to get many yards passing.

Tre Flowers has 2 interceptions

I can hear you asking, “How can Tre Flowers get two picks when he routinely plays about 50 yards off his receiver and allows the ball to be caught in front of him?” Well, for no reason whatsoever I think Flowers does play (Seattle seems hesitant to play fellow corners Sidney Jones or Bless Austin for some reason) and plays more aggressively and gets a couple of turnovers.

OK, one will come off a tipped pass by Carlos Dunlap at the line of scrimmage but the other will be legit. San Francisco still wins easily but at least a bunch of the fault won’t be on Flowers this time.