Niners Nation
In this week’s numbers to know, we look at the changes the Seahawks have made since the last time the 49ers saw them, why there’s hope in the red zone for the Niners offense, and how we can expect Seattle to target Deommodore Lenoir
The San Francisco 49ers will look to finish off a third consecutive season sweep of the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday as the two meet at Levi’s Stadium.
These two teams met just last month when the then 2-3 49ers went up north and beat the 3-2 Seahawks by a score of 36-24. Neither team has picked the pace since, although the 49ers are coming off winning consecutive games for the first time this season. However, Seattle has struggled, going 1-2 since Week 6, while losing its last two games to drop to 4-5.
And while the last matchup happened just last month, plenty has happened since the two teams met, like the trade deadline and both teams’ bye weeks. The most significant change, however, comes from the Seattle defense.
That’s where we will start this week’s numbers to know:
894
Linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker have played 894 snaps combined for the Seahawks this season.
The Seattle starting linebacking corps in Week 6 allowed Isaac Guerendo and Jordan Mason to rush for 172 yards on 19 combined rushes.
Now, Dodson is with the Miami Dolphins, and Baker is with the Tennessee Titans, with Seattle decision-makers blaming the two for the Seahawks’ bottom-five run defense. Seattle acquired Ernest Jones from the Titans in the deal that sent Baker to Tennessee, and rookie Tyrice Knight and Drake Thomas will replace Dodson.
The 49ers will also have a lineup change from the Week 6 clash that will impact the run game. Christian McCaffrey made his season debut last week against Tampa Bay with no ease-in period. McCaffrey had 19 touches, with 13 of the 49ers’ 17 designed run carries and six receptions. He finished with only 39 rushing yards, but a 30-yard reception got him to 107 yards from scrimmage.
Since acquiring Jones, Seattle’s run defense has had mixed results. It allowed Buffalo 164 rushing yards but held the Rams to 68 before the bye. However, Sunday will be Seattle’s first game with Jones without its leading tackler, Dodson. McCaffrey has rushed for 486 yards in four games against Seattle since the 49ers acquired him in 2022 and is averaging 6.4 yards per attempt.
54.3
The Seahawks defense has allowed a touchdown on 54.3 percent of red zone drives, the 14th best in the league.
Until the 49ers offense can solve it, I will continue to mention the red zone issues.
Even with McCaffrey returning last week, San Francisco only managed to score a touchdown on one of three red zone drives, and even that took a miraculous throw and catch from Brock Purdy to George Kittle to get the score. The lone touchdown didn’t do much to improve the 49ers on the season; they are still in...
