The defending Super Bowl-champion Seahawks, sitting at a solid 3-1, are about to host the undefeated 4-0 49ers right here in Seattle. And let’s be real, the last two times these guys came to Lumen Field, it wasn’t pretty for them. We ended their regular season last year with a dominant 13-3 win, then absolutely crushed them 41-6 in the playoffs. Yeah, *that* 41-6. Now, as the Niners roll into the Emerald City boasting a perfect record, the biggest early season test for both teams is about to go down on our turf.
Niners’ Early Surprises Can’t Hide Their Big Questions
So, what’s been the deal with the 49ers’ 4-0 start? Harrison Rich, one of their reporters, pointed to Raheem Morris’s work with their defense as the biggest surprise. They allowed only seven points to the Rams in Australia and just 14 to the Broncos. Sure, the Cardinals dropped 30 on them, but hey, that’s a “fun little offense” apparently. Morris has been doing “more with less” as bodies rotate along their defensive line, and with Mykel Williams returning this week (and Nick Bosa down the road), they just need to stay “league average” defensively for their offense to shine.
Another surprise, according to columnist Ann Killion, is George Kittle’s speed. She didn’t expect him back at full strength, let alone looking faster than ever! But the big, general surprise for them is how they keep winning despite their “usual disturbing rash of injuries.” This leads right into their biggest unanswered question: can they keep this momentum going as the season progresses and those injuries “continue to mount”? Eric Branch highlighted the same concern, wondering if “all the older All-Pros” like Trent Williams, Mike Evans, Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey (who average 32.8 years old and have had perfect attendance so far) can stay healthy. And speaking of McCaffrey, Branch noted that Kyle Shanahan just might actually limit his workload this season, after he had an NFL-high 413 touches last year. McCaffrey’s on pace for 281 this season, and in Week 3, he ripped off runs of 14, 10, 9, and 12 yards against the Cardinals in the second half. “Fresh legs?” Branch mused.
Mike Macdonald’s Defense Owns Purdy, And The Numbers Don’t Lie
Now, let’s talk about the real matchup everyone in Seattle cares about: our defense against Brock Purdy. The Seahawks lead the NFL in pass defense, and Killion called our unit a “ferocious defense” with a “stellar secondary.” That’s what we like to hear!
Rich didn’t mince words: “Mike Macdonald-led defenses tend to give Brock Purdy nightmares.” He’s had three solid performances in his career, but his other three games? Two against *our* Seahawks, and one against the Ravens when Macdonald was their defensive coordinator. Those were “some of the worst of Purdy’s career.” Killion backed this up, stating that the Seahawks “definitely had Purdy’s number last season.” Seattle was responsible for six of his 14 sacks and four of his 13 interceptions. Those numbers are straight up brutal for him, right? While some might argue Purdy didn’t always have a healthy Kittle or the current offensive line/Evans in those games, the fact remains: Macdonald’s defense gets to him.
So, while the Niners might be feeling good about their 4-0 start, they’re walking into a different beast at Lumen Field. Our defending Super Bowl champs are ready to show them why Seattle is still their nemesis, especially with Mike Macdonald’s defense dialing up the pressure on Purdy. Get ready, 12s, it’s gonna be a battle!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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