Seattle Seahawks: 5 Players that must shine vs. 49ers in Week 10
By Samuel Teets
In a divisional battle between two of the best teams in football, the Seattle Seahawks need their key contributors playing at a Pro Bowl level.
The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers have not faced each other in a mutually relevant game since the Seahawks defeated San Francisco in the NFC Championship game during the 2013 season’s playoffs. That was the last year the 49ers recorded more than eight wins. Now, the 49ers are playing for their ninth win this season and the Seahawks are looking to topple their undefeated divisional rivals.
This matchup revolves around Seattle’s offense against San Francisco’s defense. While the 49ers have a great run game and the Seahawks have some talented defensive linemen and linebackers, the matchup between Russell Wilson‘s and Nick Bosa‘s units will have a greater impact on the game’s outcome.
That being said, this article focuses heavily on offensive players. The defense isn’t entirely left off of the list, but only one defensive player appears, and you can probably guess who it is. I’m not diminishing the importance of Seattle’s defense, but the offense has been the unit that pulls out wins this season.
At 7-2, the Seahawks won’t have a higher winning percentage even if they defeat the 8-0 49ers on Monday Night Football. However, the two teams will still face off in Week 17. A Seahawks win could set up a great end-of-season game.
5. Chris Carson, RB
The 49ers have the second-best rushing attack in the league, averaging 171.1 yards per game on the ground. The Seahawks average 131.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks eighth in the league. At their core, both offenses want to run the ball more than they want to pass. Considering this, the team that best asserts their rushing attack in Week 10 will have a significant advantage.
However, neither team is exceptionally equipped to stop the run. The Seahawks allow 102.7 rushing yards per game and the 49ers allow 102.9. Those totals rank 13th and 14th in the NFL. This leaves the door open for successful rushing performances by both teams.
After a slow start to the season, Carson has caught fire. In the last six games, he’s rushed for 606 yards and is averaging 4.66 yards per carry. He’s even improved as a pass-catcher, already topping his receiving yardage total from last season.
The Seahawks are hoping they can feature Carson against San Francisco’s mediocre run defense. Doing so will give them control of the pace the game and dictate what San Francisco’s offense will do in response.