The Seahawks travel to the Bay Area this weekend for a matchup of the NFC West’s top two teams on Monday Night Football. At 8-0, the 49ers are the NFL’s last remaining undefeated team, while the 7-2 Seahawks are off to their best start since 2013. If the Seahawks are going to improve to 5-0 on the road this season and close the gap in the NFC West, these are three key matchups that could make the difference in Monday’s game:
1. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks passing game vs. Richard Sherman and an elite 49ers pass defense.
Russell Wilson has been phenomenal this season, throwing a league-high 22 touchdown passes against a league-low one interception, giving him an NFL-leading 118.2 passer rating. His pass catchers have stepped up in big ways too, especially Tyler Lockett, who is on pace for one of the best receiving seasons in franchise history, and rookie DK Metcalf, who leads all rookies in receiving yards. In other words, there’s no denying that Wilson, Lockett and the rest of Seattle’s passing game are a huge part of Seattle’s success nine games into this season.
As 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan noted on a conference call with Seattle-area media, the challenge Wilson presents is “even stronger (this season), which is hard to say because he has always been that good. He can do anything he wants. A play is never a bad play with him in there even if everyone is covered. That’s usually when the play starts. So he’s playing at a very high level and he’s doing it very consistently.”
Repeating that passing game success on Monday night, however, will be no easy task for Wilson and company. The 49ers are undefeated this season in no small part due to a defense that ranks first in passing yards allowed (138.1 yards per game), second in opponent passer rating (65.7) and fourth in interceptions (10). Leading the way in San Francisco’s secondary, both in terms of veteran leadership and on-field production, is former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, who two years removed from a ruptured Achilles tendon, is back to playing at a Pro Bowl level, and who has three interceptions already this year.
“Sherm’s doing great,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “Sticking over on his left side over there where he feels really comfortable. He continues to demonstrate a great awareness of the game and making his choices and decisions. He’s got three picks already. He has not being beaten much at all. He’s really doing a nice job.”
And on related note to San Francisco’s pass defense…
2. San Francisco’s pass-rush vs. Seattle’s pass protection.
The 49ers’ pass defense has been good in part because of players in the secondary, but another reason teams are struggling against San Francisco’s defense is a pass rush that has accumulated 30 sacks in eight games, tied for the third most in the NFL.
Leading the way is rookie Nick Bosa, the No. 2 overall pick, who has seven sacks and 13 quarterback hits to go along with an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. And Bosa is hardly the only threat when it comes to San Francisco’s pass rush, which has five former first-round picks in its defensive line rotation: Bosa, Arik Armstead (5.5 sacks), Dee Ford (5.5), DeForest Buckner (4) and Solomon Thomas (2).
“It’s a really good group,” Carroll said. “I think they’re the top group in the whole league. Their style of play, the way they’re coaching them, Nick Bosa adding to those guys has been a big addition. Dee Ford has really fit in well on the third-down situations. They’re flying. They’re about as good as you can hope to be now. They’re getting it done.”
Seattle’s offensive linemen know the 49ers will present a tough challenge, but they feel like they’re up to the task. While there have been a few games the line would like to have back in terms of pass protection, that unit has improved in that area overall, allowing 22 sacks through nine games, and only 10 in the past five games. Wilson is currently on pace to be sacked 39 times this season, which would be a considerable improvement from 51 sacks last year despite attempting an average of six more pass attempts per game, and would be the lowest total of his career since 2012 when he was sacked 33 times while averaging eight fewer pass attempts per game than he is now.
“We know we can shore up things a little bit more, and we have to this week in order to be more successful,” left tackle Duane Brown said. “But we’re all confident in our individual abilities, we’re confident in each other as a group. We know the challenge that San Francisco brings, and we’ll be ready for it.”
3. The 49ers running game vs. Seattle’s run defense.
The 49ers have a good young quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo as well as one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL in George Kittle, but as dangerous as San Francisco’s passing game can be, the bigger threat might be a rushing game that ranks second in the league with 171.1 rushing yards per game. Kittle’s status for Monday remains uncertain due to knee and ankle injuries, which could make the running game all the more important to the 49ers.
In eight games, the 49ers have had more than 230 rushing yards three times, and they have three different backs with more than 300 rushing yards, led by Matt Breida’s 524.
The 49ers are also expecting to get back from injury a pair of Pro Bowlers in left tackle Joe Staley, who has been out since Week 2 with broken fibula, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who has missed the past four games with a knee injury, additions that should only help the running game and the offense as a whole.
Seattle’s run defense, meanwhile, has had mixed results this season, shutting down the run some weeks while being susceptible to the run in other games, leading to a run defense that ranks near the middle of the league (13th, 102.7 yards per game). The word of the week for the defense has been discipline, and the Seahawks know they’ll need to be on top of their game if they’re going to slow down San Francisco’s explosive running game.
“They just have so many different things that they do because of the weapons that they have,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “They have a great fullback that they can utilize in the run game and pass game. They have a screen and a pass play off of every run. They’re one of those teams that do a really good job of hiding, they don’t really have tendencies but, it makes you have to read your keys and have to be disciplined. You could watch something one week, and the next they won’t run it the next week. They run something specifically that you either struggled with, or a way to flood the zones. They’re going to find one or two plays to implement into their offense that is going to challenge your knowledge, challenge your discipline, and we’ve got to be ready for it.”
The Seahawks and the 49ers will meet this Monday at Levi's Stadium on Monday Night Football for the tenth game of the 2019 season. Take a look back at photos from past games between the two teams.
Seattle Seahawks fullback Dan Doornink (33) runs upfield during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Oct. 7, 1979. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 35-24. (AP Photo/Al Messerschmidt)
San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana (16) passes during an NFL football game against Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 25, 1985, in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 19-6. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth (55) stands with defensive lineman Jacob Green (79) during an NFL preseason football game in 1988 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Francisco 49ers Steve Young plays in a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CA. August 15, 1991. ( AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver James McKnight (82) catches a 21-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter of their game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park Saturday, August 9, 1997. 49ers beat Seahawks 21-17 in a preseason game. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Brohm (11). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park Saturday, August 9, 1997. 49ers beat Seahawks 21-17 in a preseason game. Lead by San Francisco 49ers center, Guard Chris Dalman (67) line take on Seahawks defense. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Tai Streets (89) is seen in action during an NFL against the Seattle Seahawks Dec. 1, 2002, in San Francisco, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Doug Evans (33) is seen in action during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2002, in San Francisco. (Greg Trott via AP)
Seattle Seahawk quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) is seen in action during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2002, in San Francisco. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) hands off to running back Shaun Alexander (37) on Sunday, December 1, 2002, in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 31-24. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Walter Jones (71) pass blocks during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2003 in San Francisco, Calif. The Seahawks won the game, 24-17. (Greg Trott via AP)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) on Saturday, December 27, 2003, in San Francisco, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 24-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks' Antonio Cochran (78) celebrates a fumble recovery by teammate safety Ken Hamlin on the first play after the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 20-19. At left is 49ers' Ron Stone. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Aerial view of the Coin Toss before the start of the Seattle Seahawks opening day game vs San Francisco 49ers, at Qwest Field in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004. (AP Photo/Julia Robertson)
Seattle Seahawks' Ken Lucas (21) grabs San Francisco 49ers Jamal Robertson on a run in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004, in Seattle. Robertson was held to no gain on the play, and the Seahawks won, 34-0. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cedric Woodard celebrates with the ball along with Grant Wistrom, center, and Chike Okeafor, right, after recovering a fumble by the San Francisco 49ers in the first half in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004. The Seahawks won, 34-0. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Jerry Rice, left, greets San Francisco 49ers' Bryant Young after the game Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, in San Francisco. The Seahawks won, 42-27. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)
Through the haze from pre-game fireworks, Seattle Seahawks fullback Mack Strong (38) gains some yardage against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander reacts after scoring on a 3-yard run against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' D.J. Hackett (18) grabs a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers' Shawntae Spencer in the first half on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Seattle Seahawks' Michael Boulware, top left, and Kelly Herndon, top right, celebrate as San Francisco 49ers receiver Johnny Morton (84) misses a catch on a two-point conversion attempt on the last play of the game on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005 in San Francisco. Seattle won 27-25. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander goes horizontal and into the end zone past San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Moore, left, for a touchdown in the first quarter in a football game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) passes in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, middle, is mobbed by San Francisco 49ers defenders as he carries the ball in the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Walter Jones (71) pass blocks during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 19, 2006, in San Francisco, Calif. The 49ers won, 20-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Patrick Kerney, left, is congratulated by Jordan Babineaux, top, and Darryl Tapp after Kerney forced a fumble and sacked San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex D. Smith during the first quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, in Seattle. The Seahawks recovered. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) smiles after greeting former teammate and San Francisco 49ers back-up quarterback Trent Dilfer after an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 24-0. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trent Dilfer scrambles during a football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander jumps between San Francisco 49ers' Patrick Willis, left, and Mark Roman, right, during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. The Seahawks won 23-3. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Seattle Seahawks' Heath Farwell (55) blocks a punt by San Francisco 49ers' Andy Lee in the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Casey, File)
Seattle Seahawks fullback Leonard Weaver(43) runs with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan (14) calls a play during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram, left, tries to avoid the tackle of San Francisco 49ers safety Michael Lewis (32) in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawksí Matt Hasselbeck in action against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Josh Morgan (84) heads downfield as Seattle Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne makes a tackle during an NFL game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game, 20-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks' John Carlson reaches for a ball in the end zone during the second half on an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. San Francisco won 23-10. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace (15) rolls out during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 23-10. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ruvell Martin (82) catches a pass in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements (22) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) in action during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) calls a play during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010 in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 40-21. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) battles for the goal line during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in Seattle. The 49ers won the game, 19-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (15) flies through the air for the first-down marker during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in Seattle. The 49ers won the game, 19-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) runs against Seattle Seahawks nose tackle Alan Branch (99) and Anthony Hargrove (94) in an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
San Francisco 49ers' Vernon Davis, left, is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Kam Chancellor, right, during a reception attempt in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Leon Washington in action against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) under center against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during an NFL regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 19-17. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell, left, intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree, (15), in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tips the ball up in the air as outside linebacker Malcolm Smith #53 catches it to clinch the victory for the Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) runs past San Francisco 49ers' Dontae Johnson in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 17-7. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) is taken down by San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) during an NFL game on Thanksgiving in Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, November 27, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 19-3. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) drops the ball after scoring a touchdown ahead of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett is tackled by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (obscured), but powered through to score a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs the ball as Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) defends during an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) runs the ball after an interception during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers, 37-18. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael (32) runs the football during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers, 37-18. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Jimmy Graham (88) scores a touchdown in front of San Francisco 49ers'n NaVorro Bowman in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Don Feria)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Marcus Smith (97) celebrates after a tackled against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Don Feria)
In this third in a series of seven photos, Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson leaps over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Will Redmond, left, as defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sept. 17, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs against San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) catches a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers defensive back Tarvarius Moore (33) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens drops back to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaron Brown, (18) celebrates with wide receiver David Moore (83) after Brown caught a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny, right, runs for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
