Kick-off on the night of Thursday to Friday at 2:15 a.m.
Seattle Seahawks (3-2) – San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
Silence, teams lacking confidence in action. For this NFC West duel, we expected a clash at the top between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, on paper the two best teams in the division. We will finally be treated to a match whose main objective will be to (re)launch.
But let's make no mistake, despite the poor form of these teams, the leadership of the division remains at stake. The winner of the evening will indeed enter the weekend in control of the NFC West, enough to motivate the troops at the end. approach to this match.
The Seahawks exploded in mid-air…
Under the leadership of Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks started the season perfectly. Building a defense as effective as the one he led in Baltimore, Seattle's new coach led his team to three straight victories. The quarterbacks they faced in this interval were also stifled: No touchdown and two interceptions for Bo Nix, 149 small yards and only one touchdown for Jacoby Brissett, while Skylar Thompson and Tim Boyle were silenced. The problem ? The fortress has cracked. On the ground first, while the Seahawks are in the bottom third of the league with 640 yards and 5 touchdowns conceded. Then in the air. If the 299 yards and 3 touchdowns conceded to the Lions can be understood, the 257 yards and 2 touchdowns left to Daniel Jones (deprived of Malik Nabers) are a task. The squad that had been so dominant for three weeks lost its footing.
Positive things to remember all the same, with a record of 3-2 and a first place in the NFC West. Especially on offense, as Geno Smith still leads the league in yards (1,466). The quarterback's completion rate is also excellent, at 71.9% since the start of the season. And if that wasn't enough, the pitcher has also turned into a runner lately. His 146 rushing yards place him seventh among quarterbacks in the league. Geno, the NFL's new dual-threat?
…While the 49ers don't take off
We thought the 49ers were launched after their quiet success against the Patriots, this is not the case. This Sunday, while leading by 13 points at the break, they conceded defeat by a small point against the valiant Cardinals. After losing by 3 points to the Rams, this is the second time the Niners have fallen to a division rival. But as Kyle Shanahan and Nick Bosa said at the start of the week, this rapid return to the field is the best opportunity to bounce back quickly… Provided you finally win a division clash.
In the opinion of many, San Francisco has the best squad in the league. The defense is led by an exceptional Fred Warner who is heading straight for the DPOY title, assisted by talented players such as Nick Bosa. And even if the offense struggles to exploit its full potential, the threats are legion. Brock Purdy threw for the fourth most yards this season (1,374) with a very good completion rate of 65.6%, while Brandon Aiyuk finally found his level last Sunday. Well surrounded, the pitcher will also be able to count on his other choice targets which are Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Jauan Jennings.
Players to watch: Jaxon Smith-Njigba & Jordan Mason
After three consecutive games with more than 100 yards, DK Metcalf could not do better than 55 receiving yards in the loss to the Giants. While he has been held to less than 60 yards in his last six games against San Francisco, Geno Smith would do well to turn to other targets. And Jaxon Smith-Njigba could become the providential man. Author of 29 receptions, 257 yards and a touchdown at the start of the season, the 22-year-old receiver confirms all the good things we thought of him. While the 49ers have allowed an average of 78 yards (29th NFL) and 18.5 yards per reception (NFL worst total) to receivers in the slot, “JSN” should have the opportunity to shine. In fact, he has completed 86.6% of his routes there since the start of the season.
Still deprived of Christian McCaffrey, the Californians will again call on Jordan Mason on the ground. A godsend since the runner has a favorable matchup this week. The Seahawks have allowed more than 110 yards and an average of 4.69 yards per carry to opposing running backs. Not very reassuring figures, especially since Mason has gotten used to dominating in the backfield. Since the start of the season, he has carried the ball 21 times per game, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Less visible last week against the Cardinals, he only ran 14 times for a total of 89 yards and a fumble. Like the rest of his team, he has the opportunity to get back on track this Thursday.
The prediction: San Francisco 49ers
Given the recent history of confrontations, the Californians are approaching this match with a psychological advantage. They have indeed won the last 5 confrontations and have not lost since 2021. Opposite and despite their positive record, the Seahawks did not impress despite a favorable schedule. Overwhelmed by the Lions' attack in week 4, Seattle's defensive squad could once again suffer against one of the finest armadas in the league. But watch out for dramatic twists, the NFL has been unpredictable lately…
