Seahawks vs. 49ers: 5 Week 12 matchups to watch for San Francisco
By Peter Panacy
No. 5: Defensive End Ronald Blair vs. Right Tackle Germain Ifedi
49ers second-year defensive end Ronald Blair has seen action in only two games this season after spending the first part of the year on injured reserve with a thumb injury.
He made his presence known in Week 10, though, registering three tackles and picking up two of the defense’s three sacks against the Giants that week. Playing the 5 technique, or the big end on the very left of the Niners defensive line, Blair will frequently find himself matched up opposite Seahawks right tackle Germain Ifedi.
Seattle’s offensive line has been pretty problematic this season, and Ifedi hasn’t been part of the solution. According to Pro Football Focus, the 23 year old has already allowed 39 total quarterback pressures, which is tied for second most in the NFL.
Many of those could easily translate to sacks if it weren’t for the elusiveness displayed by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Nevertheless, getting pressure remains key for San Francisco.
Blair’s pass-rushing abilities seem to have picked up right where they left off late last season, so look for him to try and take advantage of this situation as much as possible.