San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly jumped on a conference call with Seattle-area media to discuss the team's upcoming game against the Seahawks. One topic of discussion that came up was the difference between the Seahawks now versus when the 49ers first played them this season on September 25. That initial contest resulted in a 37-18 defeat.
"Unfortunately Russell [Wilson] is a little healthier now than the first time we played them," Kelly said. "I think facing a different type of quarterback, he took off and ran a lot more in the Arizona game than he has in the past, which kind of tells you he's back up. I think he was dealing with an ankle and then a knee when we played him the last time. I think especially on the offensive side of the ball, I think it's a healthy Russell Wilson. That's going to be a very tough test for our defense."
Wilson is completing 65-percent of his passes this season. That's the second highest completion percentage of his career. He has passed for 3,961 yards, which is just 63 yards short of his career best (2015). Wilson has thrown 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Advanced statistics site Pro Football Focus has Wilson graded as the league's sixth-best quarterback this year. That's higher than Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford or Dak Prescott. By comparison, Colin Kaepernick ranks 27th.
The Seahawks will not be taking their foot off the gas as they head into the postseason. The Falcons currently have a first-round bye in their grasp and a victory on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints would guarantee them the playoff spot. Of course, a loss and a Seattle victory would give the Seahawks the coveted week off so the Seahawks have a lot to play for when they take on the two-win 49ers.
Kickoff is at 1:25 p.m. on Sunday at Levi's Stadium.
