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49ers vs. Seahawks: Breaking down San Francisco’s game plan

By Chris Wilson

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 in Seattle,Washington. The Seahawks won the game 37-18. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 in Seattle,Washington. The Seahawks won the game 37-18. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Aaron Lynch #59 of the San Francisco 49ers sacks Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL game at Levis Stadium on October 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Defensive Game Plan

Last week, the 49ers’ run defense was fairly stout — aside from the last drive of the game. However, the team’s lack of pressure on quarterback Cam Newton was definite cause for concern.

The Niners will need to pressure Wilson in order to win on Sunday. Expect more blitzes from the 49ers — and, perhaps, some personnel changes in their front-four rotation.

Luckily, the Seahawks are in competition with the 49ers for the worst offensive line in the league. Instead of investing in offensive lineman, the Seahawks prefer to rely on Wilson’s ability to evade the rush and improvise outside of the pocket.

Often this strategy works, but with enough pressure, even Wilson is unable to make up for Seattle’s anemic line.

The preseason injury of starting left tackle George Fant didn’t help what was already a poor offensive line.

Second-year tackle Rees Odhiambo — who played only 33 snaps in 2016 — won the job during the preseason, but had a rough first start in Green Bay:

At times, Seahawk guards Luke Joeckel and Mark Glowinski look a lot like 49er guards, which should have 3-technique defensive tackle DeForest Buckner licking his chops.