The Battle of the NFC West continues in Week 12. The 7-3 San Francisco 49ers head to Seattle to take on the 6-4 Seahawks. The 49ers, currently leading the NFC West, enter this matchup on a two-game winning streak.
Quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers look to improve to 8-3 this Thanksgiving and take a 3-0 lead in the division. To achieve this goal, they must stick to the Keys to Victory.
Control the Clock
The 49ers must assemble sustainable drives that end with points. Although touchdowns are preferred, the 49ers must stay ahead of the score against Seattle's defense. It would benefit the 49ers defense if the offense can sustain long drives and control the clock. If the 49ers offense can remain balanced with a good mixture of run and pass plays, the team will be in control of the time of possession. Control the clock, and the 49ers' chances of improving to 8-3 will be 100 percent.
Rush
The 49ers need to establish a heavy rush attack on the offensive side of the football. The Seahawks rank 19th in run defense, allowing 112.6 yards per game. San Francisco ranks sixth in rushing, averaging 132.7 yards per game. Seattle runs a 3-4 base with a perfect front seven. Look for the 49ers to get outside to force those defensive tackles to move across the field laterally. Once the 49ers make their presence felt on the outside, the team can take advantage of running on the inside.
Don't be surprised if the 49ers have more explosive plays on the ground than they do in the air. The Seahawks' secondary is young but skilled, so force the team to play the run first.
Attack the Middle of the Field
The Seahawks' safeties have been subpar this season. If All-Pro safety Jamal Adams plays, the 49ers must force him to cover. Tight end George Kittle will have a day if Adams gets the green light. If Seattle's safety tandem happens to be Quandre Diggs and Julian Love, expect the 49ers to find a way to manipulate these two by getting them out of position to attack the middle of the field.
Players such as Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle will all be utilized in motion to allow Purdy to pick his poison throughout the game. Each of Seattle's safeties has given up explosive plays this season and a combined 572 yards. If the 49ers attack the middle of the field, they will be the victors.
Limit the Penalties
The 49ers rank eighth with the most penalties (69 for 631 yards) this season. The team averages about 6.9 penalties per game. Luckily for the 49ers, the Seahawks are the most penalized (76 for 639 yards) team in the league. Let's hope this game isn't a penalty war, but if it is, the 49ers must come on top.
The 49ers tend to get penalties at the most inopportune times in the game, mainly in the red zone and defensively on third downs. If the 49ers can limit the penalties and win this battle, they will emerge victorious.
One-Dimensional
The 49er's defense needs to make Seattle's quarterback one-dimensional. Whether it's Geno Smith or Drew Lock, the 49ers must take away the run. With Kenneth Walker III pending, the 49ers must prepare for Seattle's run game. Rookie running back Zach Charbonnet may get the start, and he will be explosive out of the backfield. If the 49ers control the run game, this will force the Seahawks to throw.
If Geno Smith plays, the edge rushers must be disciplined but set and contain the edge so the linebackers can do their jobs. Making the Seahawks one-dimensional will allow the 49ers secondary to do what they do best: generate turnovers. The 49ers defense ranks second in turnovers and first in interceptions. Thursday could be an excellent day for the 49ers secondary. If the 49ers make the Seahawks one-dimensional, they will become 8-3.
In conclusion, the 49ers have been hot the last two weeks. They will be without their All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga (ACL), but this allows other players to make their mark on this great football team. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Huf, and we expect the 49ers to get this win for him. If the team plans to secure the victory, the 49ers must stick to the Keys to Victory.