Field Gulls
After a long wait, the regular season is back. The Seattle Seahawks open against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field and are considered underdogs by betting markets.
This series of articles will always feature play-by-play analysis, but in Week 1, things are very different. There are many expectations and projections that we will only get answers to as the season progresses. The NFL is not predictable. Who would have thought the Minnesota Vikings would achieve 14 wins last year?
Let’s go!
In the last matchup, the Seahawks emerged victorious after a losing streak since Geno Smith took over as the starter. The roster has changed significantly, starting with Geno Smith, who is now with the Las Vegas Raiders and has been replaced by Sam Darnold. The Seahawks’ offense, now led by Klint Kubiak (who will face his brother, Klay, who also took over as 49ers OC for 2025), should become simpler but more efficient, focusing more on the running game, especially after the departures of Noah Fant, Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf.
The offensive line appears to have a new identity with John Benton and received a major addition with the arrival of Grey Zabel, the return of Abe Lucas, a stronger Charles Cross, and a “new” center (Jalen Sundell was on the roster, but only as a backup). The unit made a good impression against the Kansas City Chiefs, especially, but, as mentioned at the beginning of the article, preseason performance levels are not reliable indicators, and this game should be the real test.
The running game is also crucial to slowing down the 49ers’ pass rush. Nick Bosa had 17 pressures (2 sacks, 2 hits, and 13 hurries) in the two games last season. He only had three in the last game when he lined up against Abe Lucas and ended the game injured.
Looking at the 49ers’ defense, many changes are evident. Robert Saleh returned to lead the defense in place of Nick Sorensen. If the Seahawks prepared to run the ball during the offseason, the 49ers are preparing to defend against it on defense.
Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West are excellent players defending the run. This gives the 49ers solidity both inside of the line and in the edge, so, this will be a tough matchup against the Seahawks’ rebuilding offensive line.
The 49ers’ defense lost Talanoa Hufanga (S), Maliek Collins (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), DeVondre Campbell (LB), Dre Greenlaw (LB), and Charvarius Ward (CB). On offense, they lost Aaron Banks (LG), who will be replaced by Ben Bartch, and Deebo Samuel was traded to the Commanders.
The other absences are likely injury-related. Dominick Puni (RG) may be questionable for the game, Yetur Gross-Matos has a knee problem, Brandon Aiyuk is on the PUP list, along with safety Malik Mustapha, and Demarcus Robinson is suspended.
With the absences of Aiyuk and Robinson, the run game becomes...
