5 matchups 49ers must win if they want to beat Seahawks in Week 13

No. 1: 49ers TE George Kittle, FB Kyle Juszczyk vs. Seahawks LB Jordyn Brooks

Big-time edge for the Niners here.

Missing Deebo Samuel and going up against a stout Seahawks run defense will ultimately force Jimmy Garoppolo to rely a bit more on the passing game than he otherwise might in a ball-controlling, clock-chewing offense.

This is, however, potentially good news for tight end George Kittle, who had just one reception for 13 yards a week ago against the Vikings.

Kittle, despite a lower statistical output this season, still remains one of San Francisco’s most potent offensive weapons, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk is also more than capable of offering up a mismatch in the receiving game.

And if there’s one Hawks player Garoppolo, Kittle, Juszczyk and Kyle Shanahan should pick on, it’s second-year linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

Brooks, good against the run, has been abysmal in pass coverage this season, earning a lowly 40.7 pass-coverage grade from Pro Football Focus while allowing at least one reception per six coverage snaps with opposing quarterbacks posting a 120.4 passer rating when targeting him.

Kittle and Juszczyk can bully Brooks in the receiving game, and that’s a matchup the 49ers will want to exploit as much as possible.

The Niners and Seahawks kick off on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4:25 p.m. ET from Lumen Field in Seattle.