Niners Nation
The San Francisco 49ers will wear their all-black rival jerseys tonight against the Seattle Seahawks. Brock Purdy and the offense won’t have their most dangerous wide receiver or all-everything left tackle.
The Seahawks are already stingy enough, but being short-handed at two of the most critical positions will make Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy, and everybody else’s job on offense much more challenging.
If there’s anybody who can devise a game plan without Trent Williams and Ricky Pearsall, it’s Shanahan. George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey will earn their paychecks tonight. McCaffrey might catch 15 passes if that’s what it takes for the offense to move the ball.
How can Robert Saleh and the 49ers defense rise to the occasion? Bryce Huff will face a backup left tackle. It would be a great time for rookies Alfred Collins and CJ West to generate pressure. That’s the best way to spook Sam Darnold, who is prone to batted passes and throwing off his backfoot when pressured up the middle.
Darnold threw the ball to the Panthers on the first play of the game. They dropped it. That’s been an issue for the 49ers’ defensive backs this season. If there were ever a time to redeem themselves, it’s Week 18 with the No. 1 seed on the line.
Based on warm-ups, Eric Kendricks will see some action at SAM linebacker. That makes the 49ers more athletic at the second level without sacrificing size against the run. Offensively, it looks like Demarcus Robinson will get the start in place of Pearsall.
