Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports You won’t believe the answer to question four. After a busy, but disappointing, November that saw the Seattle Seahawks play five times the Hawks are finally set to take the field for the first time in the month of December. Riding a three game losing streak that has drastically reduced the probability of making the postseason, the Hawks need a win in Week 14. Unfortunately, though, the opponent Sunday is the division rival San Francisco 49ers, who have been playing lights out in recent weeks, including a 31-13 win over the Hawks in Week 12 and a 42-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13. Joining Field Gulls for 5Qs and 5As piece this week is Kyle Posey, the Managing Editor of Niners Nation, and discussing a rivalry matchup that needs little introduction. Thus, without wasting any further time, here are the answers to the questions which were posed this week, and you won’t believe his answer to number four. Seriously, there is a very good chance you will not. After a three game losing streak to end October, the Niners are right back in a groove, steamrolling every team in their way. Most fans are aware of the injuries that kept Trent Williams and Deebo Samuels out during the losing streak, but was there anything more to it? Or was it simply a matter of being down two of their biggest playmakers? Christian McCaffrey was also a bit banged up. And it was evident that the 49ers ran out of gas. Add those factors into coming off the emotional highs of beating the Cowboys and having to travel on the road against competent opponents was the primary difference. Brock Purdy was under pressure more due to being blitzed. So not having your best offensive lineman or arguably the best wide receiver once the ball is in his hands in your back pocket against aggressive defenses didn’t help the 23-year-old quarterback. Turnovers and missed tackles were issues on both sides of the ball. The offense coughed it up in the most critical moments, while sloppy tackling led to big plays for what’s been an otherwise stingy defense. Since then, the 49ers have taken care of the ball and that’s how they’re back to scoring 30+ points a game. And a defense that’s fresher after the bye week isn’t giving away free first downs. The 49ers have played back to back big games, with the Thanksgiving matchup against the Hawks followed by a huge matchup against the Eagles that the Niners won going away. Is there a worry among fans about the potential for a letdown and a possible upset victory for Seattle? It does feel like it would be a potential letdown spot if it were any other opponent than the Seahawks. Fans are pretty confident, and for good reason. Recent history would suggest that the 49ers will have their way with Seattle considering how they’ve looked at home and how the Seahawks defense has fared against the better offenses they’ve faced this season. But one thing Seattle did do well last time around is pressure Purdy. He was under pressure on over 43 percent of his dropbacks. If you’re the underdog and looking to play the high-variance game, mistakes happen when a quarterback is under pressure. DK Metcalf has struggled in his matchup against Charvarius Ward, so the hope is that continues, and we don’t see the same explosive plays that have kept the Seahawks games against teams that can score. At the trade deadline the Seahawks added Leonard Williams to their defensive line, and while he has put up impressive stats in his short time in Seattle, the defense has struggled in large part due to issues in the back seven. Young has posted similar production so far for San Francisco, but the defense has been absolutely lights out. Is it something about the addition of Young that has changed what the Niners can do on defense, or was it just a matter of facing a string of lesser offenses during the recent stretch of dominance? It helps to have a pass rusher who is capable of sacking the quarterback to give the 49ers a four quality players up front. But there have been plenty of times, especially in recent weeks, where Young hasn’t even been in the game when the defense has been getting pressure. I think it goes back to the line being fresh. And to your point, playing against Baker Mayfield or a Jaguars offense who doesn’t have a vertical threat helps, too. Young has helped against the run more than anything. Part of the issue during the losing streak, along with the missed tackles, was the Niners inability to get off the field. They allowed too many yards on early downs. That hasn’t been an issue with Young, and he’s made his mark as a run defender. Given that the 49ers have a talented roster with few holes, there are not a lot of areas where they have needs. But, if you could pluck one player off the Seattle roster, who would it be and why? I’m a huge Quandre Diggs fan. I would love to see his ball-hawking and leadership skills in the 49ers secondary. He’d allow Steve Wilks to be even more aggressive, and I’d bet on Diggs being closer to an All-Pro if he was on the Niners. Saying a names like Devon Witherspoon or JSN feels like a cop out. Of course the 49ers would look great with first rounders on the roster. JSN would have all the space in the world to run after the catch and would likely be featured on reverses and end arounds. Witherspoon wouldn’t look any different. He’s been as good as advertised. With the news that Geno Smith is questionable for Sunday and Drew Lock could start, the 49ers are 13-point favorites. San Francisco has dominated this rivalry the past two seasons, but is that too rich of a spread for 49ers fans to bet on covering? I prefer Geno in the underdog role. I think he’s much better when there aren’t expectations, so to say. A part of me thinks the 49ers get the Seahawks best shot as they’re going to be desperate to hold onto one of the final playoff spots. That could mean we see the pressure turned up even higher. If that’s the case, and Seattle capitalizes while being able to hit on a deep pass to DK or JSN, then this will be a one-possession game. But if Geno throws an interception backed up, or Seattle moves the ball and settles for field goals, you’re begging to get blown out. I think the question is whether the Seahawks B+ game is good enough against the Niners B- game. My guess is 27-20, 49ers. Check out DraftKings Sportsbook, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation. Source: https://www.fieldgulls.com/2023/12/10/2 ... on-week-14
