49ers vs. Seahawks preview: Richard Sherman returns to Seattle in Week 13
By Chris Wilson
Week 13 by the numbers
While the two-win 49ers — and Sherman in particular — are primarily playing for pride on Sunday, the Seahawks still have their eyes set on the 2018 playoffs.
Although the 10-1 Los Angeles Rams have the NFC West title locked up, the Seahawks remain in the middle of the NFC’s wild-card race, along with the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers — who share Seattle’s 6-5 record — and the 6-4-1 Minnesota Vikings.
Both of their remaining matchups with the 49ers are must-win games for the Seahawks, who still have to face both the Vikings and the 9-2 Kansas City Chiefs, before finishing the season at home against the 2-9 Arizona Cardinals.
The 2018 Seahawks have exceeded preseason expectations due to an increase in offensive efficiency, particularly in their rushing attack. Not only has Seattle’s run game been efficient, but it has also been extremely productive from a volume standpoint; the Seahawks currently lead the NFL with 1,618 rushing yards, which is just 11 rushing yards fewer than the team amassed over the entire 2017 season.
The Seahawks’ tandem of running backs — Chris Carson, Mike Davis and Rashaad Penny — have benefited from a vast improvement in play from the team’s offensive line this year. Not coincidently, Seattle’s front office finally chose to replace former offensive line coach Tom Cable with newcomer Mike Solari prior to the beginning of the 2018 season
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson also continues to add yardage on the ground via QB scrambles, but the Pro Bowler has also given his team an added boost through the air in 2018. Despite leading the league in touchdown passes in 2017, Wilson has arguably improved his game this season, as the passer currently boasts career-highs in both passer rating and adjusted yards per pass attempt.
With the improvement of the team’s running game, Seattle’s coaching staff hasn’t asked Wilson — who has averaged only 230.1 passing yards per game — to carry the team in 2018, which has helped the quarterback improve his play.