K’Waun Williams and 4 other 49ers defenders to watch vs. Seahawks
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: EDGE Dee Ford
Football Outsiders ranks the Seahawks offensive line 20th in pass protection, allowing a sack on Russell Wilson 7.5 percent of dropbacks for a total of 22 sacks on the year.
San Francisco 49ers
Much like Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray last week, however, Wilson’s elusiveness within and outside the pocket will make San Francisco’s pass-rushing efforts much more difficult to achieve. But given Wilson’s abilities to make plays this year, it’s still essential for the 49ers to get home and try to sack him as often as possible.
Edge rushers Dee Ford and Nick Bosa will have chief responsibilities from the outside here, collapsing the pocket and hopefully containing Wilson within this area for would-be takedowns.
But Ford, who has primarily been used solely on pass-rushing downs this season, is arguably the more important player and defender who needs to have the bigger impact.
The reason why is Ford has a much more favorable matchup, facing off against Seahawks right tackle Germain Ifedi, who has already allowed three sacks and a team-leading 32 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.
Ford, meanwhile, is tied for second on the 49ers defense in sacks with 5.5, one and a half behind Bosa’s seven.
If Ford’s presence forces Seattle to shift protection to the right side, opening up chances for Bosa, fine.
Seahawks vs. 49ers: Previewing Week 10 Monday Night Football bout. dark. Next
Still, if San Francisco hopes to contain Wilson, Ford and the Niners defense will need to execute the pass rush well enough.
The 49ers and Seahawks kick off on Nov. 11 at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday Night Football from Levi’s Stadium.