Seahawks vs. 49ers: A Battle of Resilience, Revenge, and Redemption
The San Francisco 49ers have been written off more times than a bad check this season. From a cascade of injuries to key players to a roster that’s been reshuffled more than a Vegas blackjack deck, they’ve taken every blow and kept standing. And yet, here they are-still breathing, still swinging, still in the fight.
Seattle, meanwhile, isn’t just healthy-they’re surging. With the league’s top-ranked defense across the board (No. 1 in total defense, pass defense, and run defense by DVOA), the Seahawks are coming into this matchup as clear favorites.
Vegas has them by a touchdown, and after their dominant showing in the last meeting, it’s hard to argue. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about divisional matchups-and especially this 49ers squad-it’s that nothing comes easy.
Injury-Riddled but Unrelenting: 49ers Limp Into the Clash
San Francisco’s injury report reads like a Pro Bowl roster. George Kittle is out with a ruptured Achilles, a massive blow to the offense and the locker room.
Luke Farrell steps in at tight end, and while he’s serviceable, he’s not Kittle. Not even close.
The linebacker corps has been completely overhauled. Eric Kendricks, signed midseason, played his first game last week.
Garrett Wallow joined him, and with Fred Warner ruled out and Dee Winters questionable, Wallow is expected to start again. That’s a lot of turnover in a unit that thrives on chemistry.
In the secondary, Ji’Ayir Brown is out, which means rookie Marques Sigle will get the nod at safety-his second start of the season, both against Seattle. Baptism by fire, part two.
There’s some good news: Left tackle Trent Williams is back. But Ricky Pearsall, who could be a difference-maker at wide receiver, is officially questionable with a PCL injury. Even if he suits up, there are real concerns about whether he can stay on the field.
Seahawks Get Reinforcements, Stay Dangerous
Seattle gets a boost of their own. Charles Cross returns at left tackle, though he’ll be playing through a knee injury and wearing a brace. Coby Bryant is back at safety, adding depth to an already elite unit.
This is a defense that doesn’t just stop you-it suffocates you. And they’ve already proven they can do it to this 49ers offense, holding them in check in their previous meeting. The Seahawks dominated the line of scrimmage, and that’s where this game could be decided again.
Seattle Offense vs. 49ers Defense: A Health Watch and a Ground Assault
The biggest question for Seattle is Sam Darnold’s health. He tweaked his oblique in practice this week, and while he’s expected to play, it’s unclear how much that’ll affect his throwing or how Klint Kubiak structures the game plan. If Darnold can’t push the ball downfield, that changes everything.
Still, the Seahawks rushed for 180 yards the last time these teams met. That kind of ground production forces defenses into tough decisions, and if Saleh commits to stopping the run, Darnold could find openings through the air-especially with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed having favorable matchups against a depleted 49ers secondary.
A.J. Barner could also be a sneaky X-factor. With so much attention on Seattle’s wideouts, Barner could find space underneath, especially if Darnold is limited in his mobility.
But the foundation of Seattle’s success last time was the offensive line. They controlled the trenches, gave Darnold time, and opened up running lanes. If they replicate that performance, it’s hard to see the 49ers keeping pace.
49ers Offense vs. Seahawks Defense: Can Purdy Make Magic?
Brock Purdy is a gamer. Seattle did a fantastic job of keeping him in the pocket and forcing him to play within structure in their last meeting, and he struggled.
But it’s tough to pitch a perfect game twice. Expect Purdy to take more chances outside the pocket this time around.
If Pearsall can go, that gives Purdy another weapon. And with Trent Williams back, the 49ers will try to re-establish the run game that was stonewalled last time. Christian McCaffrey didn’t have much room to work with, but if the offensive line can hold up, he could be a difference-maker.
That’s a big “if.” Leonard Williams is expected to spend time lined up across from Trent Williams, and while that sounds like a heavyweight clash, Trent hasn’t been his usual dominant self.
He gave up the most pressures on the team last week against the Eagles. The only other team to get that kind of pressure on him this season?
You guessed it-Seattle.
The 49ers may try to shift protection to help right tackle Colton McKivitz, which could leave Trent on more solo blocks. If Seattle wins that matchup again, it could be a long day for Purdy and company.
Special Teams: The Hidden Battleground
In a game that could get tight, don’t overlook special teams. Jason Myers missed two kicks in the last matchup, and Eddy Pineiro missed one against the Eagles. Both teams have explosive returners-Rashid Shaheed for Seattle and Skyy Moore for San Francisco-who can flip the field in a heartbeat.
Seattle also holds an edge in punting and punt coverage, which could be huge in a field-position battle.
What the 49ers Need to Win
San Francisco has to be better on early downs. They were stuck in second-and-long and third-and-long situations too often in the last matchup, and that played right into Seattle’s hands. If they can get three or more yards on first down consistently, that opens up the playbook and gives Purdy a fighting chance.
They’ll also need to create turnovers. A couple of big plays on defense could swing the momentum and keep the crowd from becoming a factor.
What the Seahawks Need to Win
Seattle needs to stay clean and composed on offense, especially with the noise from their home crowd. Communication issues have popped up in the past, and they can’t afford them here.
If Darnold can connect on a few deep shots early, it’ll force Saleh to loosen up the box, and that’s when the run game can take over. This is a chance for the Seahawks to show they’re not just a dominant regular-season defense-they’re built for January football.
This one’s got all the ingredients: playoff stakes, divisional tension, injury drama, and two teams with something to prove. Seattle looks like the better team on paper, but the 49ers have made a habit out of surviving the impossible.
One more resurrection? Or the final nail in the coffin?
We’re about to find out.