SF 49ers: 4 players who must be on point in Week 17 vs. Seahawks
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers Linebacker Fred Warner
Pro Bowl linebacker Fred Warner already needed to be on point when the SF 49ers faced off against quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals back in Week 16.
And on point, Warner was.
The Niners’ best defender registered a team-high 14 tackles, recovering a loose fumble and defending three passes. Warner’s combination of run-stopping, pass coverage and playmaking were essential in San Francisco’s defensive masterpiece against a high-octane Cardinals offense.
That’ll have to be the order of business again for Warner and the SF 49ers defense against Russell Wilson and Co.
Like Murray, Wilson is more than adept at extending plays with his legs and using his mobility to take advantage of broken-down situations. Warner helped contain a lot of Arizona’s chances of these types in Week 16, and there’s going to be no lack of similar opportunities in Week 17.
Warner has already shown his prowess as a defensive leader and one of the NFL’s best linebackers today.
But if the Niners want to win on Sunday, he’ll need to put forth another one of those highlight-reel performances to keep Wilson and the Seahawks offense in check.