Tag: seahawks vs. 49ers

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba was consistently open in Week 6

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba was consistently open in Week 6

Seattle Seahawks sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba converted nine targets into five receptions and 53 receiving yards in last Thursday’s Week 6 primetime defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. Smith-Njigba’s nine targets was the second-highest mark on the Seahawks, trailing just DK Metcalf’s 11, though Tyler Lockett and Kenneth Walker weren’t far behind at eight targets apiece.

It was the third-most targets Smith-Njigba has seen this campaign. The former Ohio State standout saw a career-high 16 targets against the New England Patriots in Week 2, and another 12 targets against the Detroit Lions in Week 4. Recent data indicates he perhaps should have been targeted even more than nine times versus the 49ers.

Smith-Njigba got open on 87.5% of his routes versus the 49ers. That led all receivers across Week 6, according to data collected by Pro Football Focus. PFF’s separation percentage measures how often a receiver defeats coverage. Smith-Njigba was open on seven of eight charted opportunities.

Smith-Njigba currently ranks third on the Seahawks in receiving yards with 310, trailing Metcalf (469) and Lockett (339), though he ranks second in targets with 49, and first in receptions with 34. Starting quarterback Geno Smith has showcased trust in Smith-Njigba’s abilities this season.

Smith-Njigba’s breakout should continue against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks RB Kenenth Walker vs. 49ers

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks RB Kenenth Walker vs. 49ers

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb have spent the entire week leading up Thursday night’s NFC West showdown game versus the San Francisco 49ers talking about getting running back Kenneth Walker more involved on offense. Walker saw a season-low five carries in last weekend’s disappointing defeat to the New York Giants.

Walker rushed for 19 yards and received just a handful of opportunities despite the Seahawks being tied 10-10 at halftime. Macdonald’s squad never trailed by more than one possession until the final minute of the fourth quarter. Despite that, Walker was largely neglected.

With Walker supposedly being heavily involved in the game-plan for Thursday’s divisional game versus the rival 49ers, we’ve cooked up three bold predictions for his statline.

Walker sees a season-high amount of carries

Walker saw a season-high 20 carries in the Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. He was then sidelined by injury, and returned to a 12-carry workload against the Detroit Lions in primetime before the inexcusable five-carry showing versus the Giants. With Walker being a focal point of Grubb’s attack, he should easily surpass his previous personal-high 20 carries on Thursday night.

Walker rushes for 100-plus yards

Walker rushed for 103 yards against the Broncos, and nearly reached triple digits again versus the Lions (80). The former Michigan State standout rushed for 100-plus yards just once last season, but his current form indicates more success is on the horizon. It’ll be tough sledding versus a ninth-ranked 49ers defense allowing 110.8 rushing yards per game, but Walker’s potential volume indicates he could cross the 100 yard rushing mark.

Walker scores a rushing touchdown

Walker scored a rushing touchdown against the Broncos, adding three more scores versus the Lions. He didn’t score against the Giants, but that could be chalked up to receiving five carries. Walker’s sizable workload against San Francisco should help the versatile ball-carrier visit the end zone.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Seahawks DT Jarran Reed has been outstanding over previous 3 weeks

Seahawks DT Jarran Reed has been outstanding over previous 3 weeks

The Seattle Seahawks have dealt with injuries across the defensive line in recent weeks. Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II will miss his third consecutive contest against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. The defense was also without Leonard Williams in their Week 4 primetime defeat to the Detroit Lions.

Luckily for Mike Macdonald and the defense, veteran defensive tackle Jarran Reed has answered the call in recent weeks. Reed ranks sixth among interior linemen in sacks (2.0) and pressures (12), and fifth in pressure rate (16.4%) over the previous three contests, according to a tweet from Pro Football Focus’ Seahawks account. Macdonald is getting production from his big-bodied disruptive force.

 

Pro Football Focus has assigned Reed a pass-rushing grade of 71.2 and overall stellar defensive score of 73.5 through five contests. Reed is Seattle’s sixth-highest graded defensive player. The former Alabama standout had a season-high five pressures in the Week 5 defeat to the New York Giants.

Reed has earned pass-rushing grades and overall defensive scores of 70-plus in three consecutive showings. On the season, he’s totaled 13 pressures and nine stops. He’s also added 16 tackles and two sacks to his total statistics.

Coach Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde will need another big-time showing from Reed against the 49ers on Thursday Night Football.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Seahawks QB Geno Smith talks exercising demons vs. 49ers

Seahawks QB Geno Smith talks exercising demons vs. 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks are facing a critical NFC West showdown against their arch rival San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Losers of two consecutive contests, the Seahawks are attempting to avoid a third straight loss. The challenge versus a 49ers team also anxious to get back in the win column will be difficult.

The Seahawks have struggled mightily versus the 49ers in recent meetings. The Seahawks have averaged just 11.6 offensive points per contest throughout five consecutive defeats to San Francisco, including playoff meetings. Starting quarterback Geno Smith commented on what’s made Kyle Shanahan’s defense so difficult to play against.

“Yeah, I think what they [49ers] do well, they’re obviously great at creating turnovers,” Smith told the media on Wednesday. “You talk about personnel and Nick Bosa is one of the better defensive ends league. They have Fred Warner at MIKE ‘backer, one of the better middle linebackers in the league. They have playmakers all over their defense. They don’t try and trick you as far as scheme goes. They play together and they fly around. They’re going to line up and force you to beat them for 60 minutes. We respect them. They’ve been a great team, especially in recent years. It’s time for us to go out there and get it done.”

Smith started four of those five straight losses to San Francisco. In one start against the 49ers last season, Smith completed 18-of-27 passing attempts for 180 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

With win on Sunday, Seahawks will face 49ers in NFC Championship

The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers will reunite in the NFC Championship game if Seattle can get by the Packers on Sunday.

The script has been written for another epic battle between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

With San Francisco’s 27-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, the Seahawks will face their NFC West rival for the third time this season – if they defeat the Packers in Green Bay on Sunday afternoon.

The Seahawks met the 49ers in the NFC championship back in 2014, a game that became an instant classic after Richard Sherman tipped a pass intended for Michael Crabtree, which was intercepted by Malcolm Smith and sent Seattle to the Super Bowl, which they eventually won over the Broncos.

Sherman famously went from Seattle to San Francisco, helping to reignite the rivalry, and the battles between the two franchises were among the best regular season games across the entire league in 2019.

Seattle earned a win in Week 10, 27-24, after a handful of drives in overtime stalled before Jason Myers knocked home a game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired.

San Francisco got them back in Week 17, 26-21, when Seattle’s final drive ended within the one-yard line.

The Seahawks still need to get by a very tough Packers team at Lambeau Field on Sunday, which is no easy task, but the stage is set for another classic battle between the top two teams on the west coast, with a Super Bowl appearance on the line.

[lawrence-related id=54678]

Travis Homer impresses in first NFL start for Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Travis Homer had 92 all-purpose yards on Sunday against San Francisco, in his first NFL start.

The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers engaged in another epic regular season battle on Sunday night, with the Seahawks falling 26-21 after a last second play fell a yard short – sending them to a wildcard battle with the Eagles in Philadelphia.

The Seahawks patched together a running back group led by rookie Travis Homer and a pair of veteran signees, Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin.

Despite a ragtag trio in the backfield, Seattle had a strong performance on the ground, particularly in the second half.

While Lynch was the back who found the end zone, much to the delight of the home crowd, it was the rookie Homer who rushed 10 times for 62 yards while also hauling in five receptions (on five targets) for 30 yards – giving him 92 total yards in his first NFL start.

Coach Pete Carroll was not surprised one bit by Homer’s performance on Sunday, saying it was what they had seen from him all year long in practice.

“He’s a good player,” Carroll stated on 710 ESPN’s Danny and Gallant show Monday morning. “You can see why, he’s got such a good burst and he attacks so well. He’s gonna be really good in the playoffs. I’m not worried about him one bit, not even concerned about him at all other than he takes some colossal hits. He’s tough as nails.”

Homer will be relied upon heavily on Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia, and if he can put together close to 100 all-purpose yards again, it will go a long way toward securing a win in the wild card round and potentially a rematch with the 49ers.

[lawrence-related id=53942]

Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks feared to have torn ACL

The Seattle Seahawks fear linebacker Mychal Kendricks tore his ACL on Sunday, which would keep him out of Sunday’s wildcard game.

The injury bug continues for the Seattle Seahawks, who may have lost SAM linebacker Mychal Kendricks to a torn ACL, according to a tweet from NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.

Kendricks left Sunday night’s game against the 49ers in the third quarter, limping off the field. He did not return.

“We did not get test results back from him yet, but he did sprain his knee,” Carroll said on 710 ESPN’s Pete Carroll show on Monday morning. “We’ll have to find out. We don’t know the extent of it yet.”

Kendricks already missed two games this season with a hamstring injury, but has been a key part of the defense when healthy. In 14 games this year, all starts, Kendricks recorded 71 combined tackles, three sacks, four passes defended and one interception.

Kendricks would be replaced by rookie Cody Barton, who filled in for him after he departed. The absence of Kendricks would certainly be felt on Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia, where Seattle will look to improve on a 3-12 record in road playoff games.

[lawrence-related id=53844]

Instant analysis of Seattle’s 26-21 loss to San Francisco

The Seattle Seahawks fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 26-21, to finish the regular season with an 11-5 record.

The return of running back Marshawn Lynch helped create an electric atmosphere at CenturyLink Field on Sunday night, which exploded after his third quarter touchdown run, but the Seattle Seahawks fell just short in a tough 26-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Seahawks finish the regular season with an 11-5 record and will get the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, traveling to face the Eagles in Philadelphia next week.

Seattle came out very flat in the first half, getting outscored 13-0 and outgained 222-79. The defense was unable to stop Jimmy Garoppolo, and the return of George Kittle provided a huge boost to San Francisco’s offensive attack.

However, the Seahawks offense came alive in the third quarter. After an apparent touchdown pass to David Moore was nullified by a holding penalty, Russell Wilson instead found Tyler Lockett for a 14-yard touchdown to bring Seattle within six with 5:46 left in the third quarter.

San Francisco responded quickly however, with a 49-yard reception to fullback Kyle Juszczyk that led to a touchdown run by Raheem Mostert.

After that, the two teams seemed to trade off touchdowns on nearly every ensuing drive, with the one-yard touchdown run from Lynch representing perhaps the most exciting touchdown of the season for the Seattle faithful.

Ultimately, things came down to the final drive of the game, where Wilson was able to march Seattle all the way to the one-yard line before a costly delay of game penalty backed the Seahawks up to the six, and a five-yard pass to tight end Jacob Hollister fell just short of the end zone, giving San Francisco the narrowest of victories in the Emerald City.

Seattle will need to have a short memory to flush this game and focus on another away date with the Eagles, a team they defeated 17-9 in late November.

[lawrence-related id=53831]

Seahawks know what awaits them following Week 17 win or loss

The Seattle Seahawks will either be the number three seed or the number five seed in the NFC, depending on how they do against the 49ers.

The Seattle Seahawks know exactly what seed they will get in the playoffs, depending on how they do on Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers.

That’s the benefit of having their game flexed into Sunday Night Football, making it the final regular season game of the year.

Seattle was relying on losses by New Orleans and/or Green Bay to potentially still earn a bye in the NFC playoffs, but unfortunately those two teams took care of business against Carolina and Detroit, respectively, meaning Seattle will get a three seed if they defeat San Francisco.

That three seed will come with a home date against the Vikings of Minnesota, a team Seattle defeated earlier this season.

If Seattle is unable to complete the season sweep against the 49ers, they will finish as the fifth seed and will play Philadelphia on the road – another team they defeated during the regular season.

While the Eagles have an inferior record to Seattle, the Seahawks are only 3-12 in road playoff games in franchise history, and they’d certainly prefer to host in the first round if they can take care of business on Sunday.

[lawrence-related id=53813]

3 things to watch: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers will meet in the final regular season game of the NFL season on Sunday at 5:20 p.m. PT.

The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers are playing the last, and arguably best, regular season game of the season on Sunday night.

Whichever team wins will secure the NFC West title and a top three seed in the playoffs, while a loss would move Seattle into fifth place and a first round road game against either Dallas or Philadelphia.

That alone makes this must-watch football, and factoring in the triumphant return of Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle offense should make this game an instant classic, much like the team’s first matchup in Week 10.

How much action Beast Mode gets, how Seattle handles George Kittle and pass protection issues up front are three of the biggest storylines in this game, and all three are previewed in this article.

Kickoff tonight is at 5:20 p.m. PT. You won’t want to miss out.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4