Niner Noise
FanSided

NFC West: How Good Is the 49ers’ Own Division in 2016?

By Peter Panacy

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looses the ball as he is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) during the first half of a NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looses the ball as he is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) during the first half of a NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Seattle Seahawks

Offensive Points: 15 (No. 31)

Offensive Yards: 658 (No. 26)

Defensive Points Allowed: 19 (No. 1)

Defensive Yards Allowed: 497 (No. 1)

OK, so the Seahawks defense is still really, really good. Granted, they did face off against the offensive-inept Rams in Week 2. And the Miami Dolphins’ Week 1 offensive effort wasn’t much better.

Still, averaging 248.5 yards against over two games is no joke. And we can assess Seattle will probably have to ride the strength of their defense if the postseason is going to be in the picture.

The major question here is the offense. Or lack thereof.

Quarterback Russell Wilson is still an elite playmaker. Few will doubt that. But protecting him has been an entirely different story.

Wilson has already been sacked five times this season. And as Pro Football Focus pointed out after Week 2, the offensive line will likely be a problem for the Seahawks all season long. There simply isn’t any easy fix here.

KNBR 680’s 49ers broadcaster Ted Robinson also pointed something out worth considering. The Seahawks boasted the highest-paid O-line during their Super Bowl championship season. Now, that same unit is the league’s lowest-paid group.

Oh, and the absence of retired running back Marshawn Lynch seems to hurt too. The once-vaunted Seattle rushing attack has gained a net total of 179 yards on the ground — good for 18th.

A far cry from the mantra of the Seahawks offense not long ago.

Next: Arizona Cardinals