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Seahawks vs. 49ers: 5 matchups to watch for San Francisco in Week 15

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Doug Baldwin #75 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Doug Baldwin #75 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 1: 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh vs. Seahawks Offense

Alright, it’s time to revisit the whole coaching tree that ultimately led to defensive coordinator Robert Saleh taking over the job in San Francisco. It’s the 4-3 Under, single-high safety Cover 3 defense, the same scheme Saleh learned both with the Seahawks and then under former Seahawks D-coordinator, turned Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley, where Saleh was employed before coming to the Niners.

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Based off the numbers alone, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll got the best of Saleh’s scheme in Week 13, as the 49ers surrendered a multitude of big plays in blown coverages, including one 52-yard touchdown by wide receiver Tyler Lockett.

Seattle’s defense isn’t that different right now, meaning its offense regularly matches up against this scheme during practice.

How Saleh adjusts remains to be seen.

In fairness to Saleh, he still lacks a number of the key components to make this Cover 3 scheme work efficiently. There’s little outside pass rush, the secondary is banged up and a quality free safety is yet to be added.

That said, it’s going to be up to Saleh to get a bit creative if he doesn’t want to see his defense exploited once more in Week 15.

Next. Ranking the 49ers' 5 best storylines from 2018. dark

The 49ers and Seahawks kick off at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 16 from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.