ESTABLISH The Run
The Seahawks are ranked 15th in stopping the run. They gave up 103 rushing yards to the Denver Broncos. The 49ers are ranked eighth in rushing the ball. They rushed for 176 yards against the Chicago defense. While Elijah Mitchell is injured, the 49ers have many running backs to get the job. Expect the 49ers to rush by committee. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he would go with the hot hand, so we must wait and see. Expect quarterback Trey Lance to have more or less designed runs in this matchup.
CAPITALIZE on Opportunities
Against Chicago, the 49ers had numerous missed opportunities to score touchdowns. Whether it was the fumble by wide receiver Deebo Samuel, the overthrow to tight end Tyler Kroft, or the goal-line stance, the 49ers must capitalize on their opportunities by scoring touchdowns, especially in the red zone. If the 49ers fail to capitalize on scoring opportunities, they can find themselves in the same predicament, and they don't want to let a shark-style coach like Pete Carroll linger around.
Do Not Give up the "BIG PLAY"
In week one, the 49ers' defense got caught napping on one play, which changed the game's momentum. The 49ers need to keep everything in front of them. The Seahawks have three great pass catchers with great speed that can beat most defenses deep. Wide receiver Tyler Lockett was held to 28 yards on three catches. Wide receiver DK Metcalf caught seven passes for 36 yards, and wideout Marquise Goodwin caught two for 22 yards. Keep Seattle's receivers on LOCK! Also, DO NOT let running back Travis Homer or anyone else on special teams score a touchdown. ELIMINATE all big plays.
Be DISCIPLINED
The 49ers had 12 penalties for 99 yards. That's almost the length of a football field. One more yard equals 100 yards, which results in a TOUCHDOWN! Mistakes are going to happen, and penalties will get called. Eliminate self-inflicting errors such as roughing the passer and face masking. Penalties like those two can swing the momentum of the game. If the 49ers had fewer penalties against the Bears, they could be 1-0. The Seahawks had only one penalty against the Broncos. The 49ers must find a way to outsmart Seattle.
SUSTAIN the RUN
The 49ers rushed for 176 yards against the Bears on 37 attempts and still lost 19-10. Usually, 35-plus attempts are the MAGIC number for Kyle Shanahan's offense, resulting in victories. The 49ers must continue to run the ball; as expressed earlier, they have numerous ways of doing so. Going with the fresh legs of rookie running backs Ty Davis-Price or Jordan Mason to complement Jeff Wilson Jr. could be a critical factor in their matchup against the Seahawks. Per ESPN, the Seahawks are ranked 15th on run defense, giving up 103 yards on the ground to the Denver Broncos. Broncos running backs Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon rushed for a combined 101 yards against Seattle in Week 1. The 49ers will use a committee of running backs that must continue to sustain drives by SUSTAINING the run!
I know these keys to victory may sound easier said than done, but the 49ers have the team built to get it done. The offense needs to score points, and the defense needs to prevent the opposing team from scoring. I believe if the 49ers focus on these five elements of their game, they will improve their record to 1-1 and move to first place in the NFC West.
Written By:
Wayne Breezie is a 49ers content creator. He had his first guest appearance on Ronbosports in 2012. He began writing for a Facebook group called the League of the 49ers. Next, he began writing for Nothing But Niners in 2017. In 2018, Wayne Breezie made his debut on YouTube’s Nothing But Niners show. In 2019, he started his podcast called Nitty Gritty Niners. After putting the pen down for several years, Breezie saw an opportunity to write for 49erscap.com. His first published article was in January of 2022 with 49ersCap, and he currently writes and produces weekly podcasts.
All articles by Wayne P. Brown
Wayne P. Brown
Wayne Breezie is a 49ers content creator. He had his first guest appearance on Ronbosports in 2012. He began writing for a Facebook group called the League of the 49ers. Next, he began writing for Nothing But Niners in 2017. In 2018, Wayne Breezie made his debut on YouTube’s Nothing But Niners show. In 2019, he started his podcast called Nitty Gritty Niners. After putting the pen down for several years, Breezie saw an opportunity to write for 49erscap.com. His first published article was in January of 2022 with 49ersCap, and he currently writes and produces weekly podcasts.
All articles by Wayne P. Brown
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers Keys to Victory vs. Colts: How San Francisco Can Win in Week 16
As the San Francisco 49ers head into a critical Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, the margin for error is slim. With playoff positioning on the line, the 49ers must lean into their identity, execute with discipline, and control the game from start to finish. This... -
49ers Keys to Victory vs. Bears: How to Win on Sunday Night Football
As the San Francisco 49ers prepare to take on the Chicago Bears, this matchup sets up favorably on paper—but games aren't won on paper. Both teams sit at 11-4, and for the 49ers, they're looking to top the NFC West. For the 49ers to handle business and stay on track in the... -
Seahawks beat Rams in thriller: What the NFC West shift means for the 49ers
The Seattle Seahawks edged the Los Angeles Rams, 38-37, in a dramatic overtime finish on Thursday night at Lumen Field, seizing control of the NFC West race. The result also represented a best-case scenario for the San Francisco 49ers, who now have a clearer path to the... -
49ers stay locked into week-to-week focus as playoff stakes rise
If the San Francisco 49ers win out—highlighted by a potential Week 18 victory over the Seattle Seahawks—they would not only claim the NFC West title but also secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. That scenario came into clearer focus Thursday night when the Seahawks...