3 things 49ers need to improve before showdown vs. Seahawks

The 49ers face a turning point in Week 4 with the Seahawks coming to town, and these three areas will need to see improvement to decide a victory.

The San Francisco 49ers hosted the Green Bay Packers for their 2021 home opener in Week 3.

Unfortunately for the Niners, Green Bay spoiled the festivities.

Now at 2-1 and looking to stay above the .500 mark before the first quarter of the season wraps up, there are three things San Francisco must improve upon before its Week 4 matchup with the 1-2 Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium.

Here are three items of note.

49ers struggling defense must improve

For the third game in a row, there are some noticeable cracks in San Francisco’s defense as it underperformed in Week 3 and ultimately cost the team a win.

After escaping the first two games with close victories on the road, the Niners received a tough reality check when quarterback Aaron Rodgers helped set up the game-winning field goal to deliver the 49ers their first loss. San Francisco grabbed a late one-point lead in the closing seconds of the game and was banking on a star studded defense to shut the door on any comeback attempt. 

However, San Francisco has yet to put forth a dominant defensive performance, and because of it, the Niners find themselves ranked in the middle of the pack (16th overall), in terms of league rankings for both points and yards allowed. 

The pass rush has been inconsistent and down right anemic at times. Since the front is not getting home on opposing quarterbacks, the secondary usually finds itself in harm’s way more often than not. Rodgers and his receivers were causing all sorts of headaches to San Francisco’s defensive backs. Between costly penalties and big playmaking ability, Green Bay made a living attacking this depleted unit. 

Veteran cornerbacks Josh Norman and K’Waun Williams also both left the game early with injuries and did not return, meaning the 49ers will be shorthanded with their secondary. 

As if that news wasn’t bad enough, now they must prepare for a showdown with the ever-so-explosive Seahawks and their star wide receivers, Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf.