49ers vs. Seahawks preview: Richard Sherman returns to Seattle in Week 13
By Chris Wilson
On Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers in cornerback Richard Sherman’s first game against his former team. Niner Noise previews the Week 13 matchup, including key stats, players to watch, X-factors, injury news and how to watch the game live.
After experiencing a difficult week off the field, and another bad loss to a bad team on the field, you’d figure the 2-9 San Francisco 49ers wouldn’t be looking forward to a road matchup against their rival Seattle Seahawks. Well, Niners cornerback Richard Sherman certainly is.
Ever since the Sherman was abandoned by the Seahawks and immediately signed by San Francisco, the return to Seattle has remained in the back of Sherman’s mind. Even though he wouldn’t admit that the date is circled on his calendar, Sunday is important to the cornerback, because it will be his first chance to prove the Seattle Seahawks wrong.
Feelings and emotions are mixed between the All-Pro corner and his former team. The Seahawks commented positively this week when asked about Sherman’s return, but two sides are likely to openly clash once they take the field on Sunday. Sherman also attempted to hold back his animosity toward his former squad while in front of reporters, but couldn’t avoid taking a shot at Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during questioning earlier this week.
Sherman isn’t the only former member of the Seahawks who will be looking to end the 49ers’ nine-game losing streak against their NFC-West rival. San Francisco’s defensive unit — led by former Seattle coach Robert Saleh – is full of players who used to don the Seahawks’ blue and green uniforms.
While the 49ers have fallen to the Seahawks nine straight times, the Niners have been even less successful when playing in Seattle. San Francisco last defeated the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in 2012, and haven’t managed to score 20 points on Seattle’s home turf in over 10 years:
The last time the #49ers scored at least 20 points in Seattle, just one of their probable starters for Sunday played in the NFL, & less than a handful played in college. The vast majority were an even mix of middle-schoolers & high-schoolers. #SFvsSEA #Seahawks #GoNiners #49wz
— Chris Wilson (@cgawilson) November 30, 2018
The betting public isn’t expecting the Niners to change their recent trend of road losses to their NFC West foe. The Seahawks opened the week as eight-point favorites over San Francisco, but the line has jumped up to 10 points over the course of the week, per OddsShark.
Let’s break down the important statistics you need to know about the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 13 opponent, the Seattle Seahawks: