49ers’ 2018 NFC West opponent preview: Seattle Seahawks
By Peter Panacy
Seahawks’ Strengths and Weaknesses versus 49ers
The last time the 49ers were remotely close to having a legitimate shot at beating the Seahawks was back in January of 2014. In the years that followed, the Niners roster grew worse, while Seattle’s only improved.
Yet the Seahawks’ rise to success became costly, resulting in them becoming a team entering salary cap “hell” in 2018.
It’s not going to get easier anytime soon either, particularly with All-Pro safety Earl Thomas wanting a new contract and holding out of training camp until he receives one.
Still, the Seahawks won’t be pushovers this season and still pose a threat to the Niners.
San Francisco 49ers
Seahawks’ Threats to San Francisco
One player: Russell Wilson.
2018 will finally reveal if Wilson is the kind of player capable of elevating his entire team and putting it on his shoulders. His defense has taken a step backwards, and the running game hasn’t been the same since the days of running back Marshawn Lynch.
Still, Wilson is about as big an offensive threat the 49ers face within the NFC West this season.
Especially when one considers he owns a career 10-2 record against San Francisco, posting a respectable 93.1 passer rating over those contests.
Seahawks’ Liabilities versus San Francisco
Seattle’s once-vaunted Legion of Boom is no more, which should tempt 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to test the Seahawks remade secondary as much as possible this season.
Plus, Seattle brought aboard former assistant Ken Norton Jr. as defensive coordinator, who was fired in his third year holding the same job with the Oakland Raiders a season ago. During Norton’s stint there, the Raiders pass defense never finished higher than 24th in yards against.
Granted, Norton never had enough defensive playmakers in Oakland, so read into those rankings as you wish. Still, it’s an opportunity for the Niners.
Yet a smarter move might be to open up things on the ground against Seattle. Last year, the Seahawks allowed an average of 4.0 yards per carry — 14th in the league. Key player losses this offseason could make that number increase, though, and running the ball also serves to keep Wilson off the field.
Oh, and there’s Seattle’s offensive line too. That’s a liability, for sure.