In Part One of this two-part series, I put together a list of one player from each of the Seahawks’ first six opponents of 2020 that should make a difference in Seattle’s approach to each game. Now, in part two, I detail one player from the remaining seven opponents that should have a similar impact.
Note, I chose not to select any quarterbacks, running backs, or wide receivers for this list, as the success of those positions is obviously paramount to a team’s chances of winning.
Week 8 (Nov. 1) and Week 17 (Jan. 3, 2021): San Francisco 49ers
Impact player: TE George Kittle
Look no further than last year’s season series between the Seahawks and the 49ers to feel Kittle’s impact – the Seahawks won without Kittle on the field, and lost when he was there. Kittle, an All-Pro First Team member, was PFF’s top-ranked player at any position in 2019 after posting his second straight 1,000-yard season and leading all tight ends AND receivers in broken tackles. He is an absolute game-breaker in both run-blocking and pass-blocking, and should easily be the Seahawks’ number-one concern on defense.