4 matchups 49ers must win in Week 4 bout vs. Seahawks

No. 1: 49ers Pass-Catching Corps vs. Seahawks Secondary

As is the case with Elijah Mitchell, tight end George Kittle (calf) could end up being a game-time decision.

And if Kittle is out, the 49ers offense will be hurting in a major way even if he’s been off to something of a slow start this season.

Kittle’s possible absence could open up the door for No. 2 tight end Ross Dwelley to finally impact the score sheet. Dwelley was impressive during training camp and already has multiple stints where he more than adequately filled in for Kittle.

Yet the key focal points for the Niners offense, regardless if Kittle is at 100 percent, should still be wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk, who also started slow this season, finally got into the end zone last weekend on the back of four catches, while Samuel remains one of the NFL leaders in receiving yards with 334.

Those two can’t do it alone, however.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo shouldn’t be afraid to involve No. 3 wide receiver Trent Sherfield in the mix, too. Especially if San Francisco finds some favorable matchups buried deep within a Seahawks defense that has allowed more yards this season than any other team (1,321) through three weeks and is giving up 7 yards per pass play.

If the 49ers and Hawks do find themselves in a shootout in Week 4, the Niners’ receiving corps will have to bring the A-game.