Niners Nation
49ers vs. Seahawks: The Standard’s 5 fast predictions (paywall)
“Kawakami: 49ers 23, Seahawks 20. In contrast to the 49ers’ last few games, field position and field goals should be enormous in this game. Nobody’s likely to put up 400 yards. There won’t be 10 huge plays; maybe just two or three. And presuming George Kittle is back, I’ll presume that the 49ers’ offense will make the most of him and their defense will jump the Seahawks’ running game and force a Darnold turnover late to seal it.“
49ers’ pass rush doomed Seattle in Week 1. Now Seahawks look to exploit it (paywall)
“Saleh said opposing play-callers are dialing up “deeper developing” pass plays that wouldn’t have had time to work against QB-harassing defenses from the 49ers’ recent past. Chicago QB Caleb Williams wasn’t sacked on his 42 passes and had time to fling touchdown throws of 35 and 36 yards…..Of course, the 49ers’ biggest weakness hasn’t prevented them from achieving a 12-4 record and entering Levi’s Stadium on Saturday on a six-game winning streak.
But their inability to disrupt quarterbacks figures to be a bigger problem against Seattle’s Sam Darnold, who is just the second QB the 49ers have faced this season who ranks among the NFL’s top 14 in passer rating. Darnold, who is ranked 10th, has an elite partner for deeper-developing pass plays in Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba ranks fourth in the NFL in catches (113), first in receiving yards (1,709) and 10th in yards per catch (15.1).“
Five 49ers to watch in crucial regular-season showdown vs. Seahawks in Week 18 (paywall)
“Huff stands as the 49ers’ best hope to generate a consistent pass rush with his ability to win one-on-one matchups. He must exploit the Seahawks’ issues at left tackle. Starter Charles Cross is out with a hamstring injury, and top backup Josh Jones is questionable with knee and ankle issues.”
NFL insider doubts 49ers’ Trent Williams will play vs. Seahawks
“”Absolutely,” Kittle said.
Still, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport cautioned that Kittle’s status ultimately rests with the coaching staff, which must balance his health against postseason availability. Kittle has been a limited participant in practice throughout the week.
Although general manager John Lynch expressed confidence this week, saying he would be “very surprised if George wasn’t out there.”
Williams’ outlook appears far less certain.
“Trent Williams, their Pro Bowl left tackle—one of the best left tackles of, well, not just this year, but really the last decade—he is officially listed as questionable,” Rapoport said, “but he hasn’t practiced at all this week, dealing with a hamstring injury.
“Hard to imagine he is out there with no practice on a short week. I guess crazier things have happened, but to me, I’m not expecting the big man to be out there.”
Austen Pleasants gets tough love after replacing Trent Williams: ‘Wasn’t quite what we wanted’ (paywall)
“Somebody ran up to me and said, ‘First down! Let’s go!’” Pleasants recalled. “And I was like, ‘Alright,’ and I just ran...
