The Seahawks host the 49ers in the final regular-season game of 2019, a game that will determine the NFC West champion. The Seahawks (11-4), beat San Francisco (12-3) in a wild overtime contest in Week 10, and if they're going to earn an another victory over the 49ers and claim their fifth NFC West title in 10 seasons under Pete Carroll and John Schneider, these are three key matchups that could end up making the difference in Sunday's game:
1. 49ers tight end George Kittle vs. Seattle's pass and run defense.
The Seahawks didn't see George Kittle when these teams met earlier in the season due to an injury, which means they didn't see the same 49ers offense as they'll face on Sunday night. Few tight ends, if any, mean as much to their team as Kittle does to the 49ers offense. Kittle not only leads the 49ers in receiving with 967 yards on 78 catches, he is also a very good blocking tight end, meaning just about everyone on defense will be affected by his presence one way or another.
"He's an amazing player," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "He really is. He's a heart and soul guy for them, and a clutch guy, too. They go to him when times are crucial and all that. He's a fantastic player. Not just a catcher, he's a blocker as well. He's a good ball player."
The Seahawks have allowed only two opposing tight ends to go over 100 receiving yards this year—both of those coming against the Rams—and they like the athleticism they have at linebacker to match up with tight ends. Shaquill Griffin's expected return also frees up Akeem King as an option to match up from the nickel spot. The Seahawks have gone with King as their nickel in some other recent games against opponents that feature their tight end in the passing game such as Philadelphia and Minnesota.
Whoever ends up trying to contain Kittle, the Seahawks know they'll have their hands full on Sunday with one of the game's best tight ends.
"He's a special player," defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said. "He's versatile. He can block. He can catch, run good routes. Yards after catch. He carries people with him. Has a great attitude about the game. He's a special player… The special players have certain attitudes in how they approach the game. It doesn't take you long to figure out the special ones from the not so special ones. He's certainly a guy that really makes their motor go."
2. A short-handed Seahawks offensive line vs. San Francisco's pass rush.
The 49ers had one of the NFL's most dangerous pass rushes for most of the season, but have cooled off of late, recording three sacks in their past four games after piling up 44 through their first 11 games.
That recent drop in production doesn't mean the 49ers don't still present a dangerous challenge when it comes to their front four, and the Seahawks will have to try to hold up against that talented group while playing without left tackle Duane Brown, who will miss a second straight game due to a knee injury. Russell Wilson was sacked five times last week, the fourth time in the past six games he has been sacked five or more times, and while sacks can be the result of a lot of factors, including the play of Wilson himself, the offensive line knows it needs to be on its game this week for the offense to thrive.
The Seahawks have been without starting center Justin Britt for their past seven games, lost Brown last week, then had to play a good portion of last week's game without left guard Mike Iupati, who had a stinger but eventually returned to the game, and at times all that newness caught up to them as Arizona's Chandler Jones recorded 4.0 sacks. But regardless of who is on the field Sunday, the Seahawks know they need to protect better for Wilson and the offense to get the job done.
"I think, for the most part, we struggled in some communication errors, things that we haven't done," offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. "I mean, we turned Chandler loose on one late in the game—strip sack fumble. We have to be better. We have to communicate better. It starts with me. All the way around, some of it was just our not being on the same page with communication. Another challenge this week that I think we'll be ready for. We're excited to go against this group coming in."
3. The turnover battle.
The Seahawks are among the league leaders in turnover differential this season at plus-12, and when their defense has been at its best this season, the turnovers have come in bunches. The Seahawks, whose 32 takeaways ranks third in the NFL, went five straight games with multiple takeaways prior to last week's loss to Arizona, in which they had none, totaling 16 takeaways from their Week 10 win over the 49ers through their Week 15 win in Carolina.
Like Seattle, the 49ers have been good at forcing turnovers, with 27 this season, but they've also turned the ball over 23 times. The Seahawks haven't been as strong in that area as they were last season, turning the ball over 20 times, including at least one in seven straight games.
Considering how big of a factor turnovers were the last time these teams met—there were a total of seven turnovers, including touchdowns scored by both defenses—it's entirely possible that the game could be decided by a critical turnover or two.
The Seahawks and the 49ers will meet this Sunday at CenturyLink Field for the final week of the 2019 regular season to decide the winner of the NFC West. 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)
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. Seattle Seahawks linebacker Dean Wells (95) attempts to stop San Francisco 49ers running back Terry Kirby (41). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver James McKnight (82) catches a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Warren Moon in the second quarter of their game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in Seattle. Defending on the play is San Francisco's Merton Hanks (36). (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Marcus Robertson (31) gets ready to make sure San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst (20) is stopped on Sunday, December 1, 2002, in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 31-24. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks 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 defensive back Reggie Tongue (25) moves in to finish off tackle on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Tai Streets (89) on Sunday, December 1, 2002, in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 31-24. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Tony Parrish (33) moves in to stop Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) on Saturday, December 27, 2003, in San Francisco, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 24-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
San Francisco 49ers defensive end John Engelberger (95) rushes 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)
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)
Aerial view of 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 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)
San Francisco 49ers' Derek Smith, left, and Seattle Seahawks' Ryan Hannam collide during a play in the first half, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 41-3. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) celebrates after a rushing touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, in San Francisco, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) runs against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson, left, hauls in a 41-yard touchdown pass past San Francisco 49ers safety Mark Roman (26) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. San Francisco won 20-14. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, left, and San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore embrace at the end of a 20-14 win by the 49ers in an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006.(AP Photo/\Jeff Chiu)
Seattle Seahawks Lofa Tatupu tackles San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson during their NFL football game in San Francisco, 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' D.J. Hackett (18) catches a pass in front of San Francisco 49ers' Walt Harris on a 46-yard play during the second quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Walter Jones (71) blocks during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks' Michael Bumpus, left, returns a punt as San Francisco 49ers' Shawntae Spencer pursues him in the second half in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in Seattle. The 49ers won 33-30 in overtime. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) scrambles during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game, 20-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
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 running back Marshawn Lynch (24) in action during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The San Francisco 49ers play the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (15) flies through the air for a first down 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 running back Marshawn Lynch (24) scores on a 4-yard run during an NFL game after a San Francisco 49ers player was injured on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in Seattle. The 49ers won the game, 19-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) during the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, December 23, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jon Ferrey)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (99) 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 running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sep. 15, 2013 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game, 29-3. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2014, file photo, Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman (25) tips a pass in the end zone intended for San Francisco 49ers' Michael Crabtree (15) in the final minute of the second half of the NFC championship NFL football game in Seattle. Seattle's Malcolm Smith intercepted the tipped pass. Sherman was fined $7,875 for unsportsmanlike conduct/taunting after he made a choking gesture after the play toward the San Francisco bench that he said was directed at quarterback Colin Kaepernick. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson calls to his team at the line of scrimmage before a play against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) leaps over the goal line for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Thursday October 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Seattle won 20-3. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) and offensive guard Justin Britt, right, celebrate in front of back judge Scott Helverson, left, after Lockett scored a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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)
FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, file photo, Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) celebrates after a touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif. Graham is on a run of touchdowns unlike any other point in his three seasons with the Seahawks. He leads NFC tight ends with eight TDs, six coming in the past five games. (AP Photo/Don Feria, File)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
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 Doug Baldwin (89) is congratulated by offensive tackle Duane Brown (76) after catching a touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
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)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, avoids being sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister (48) celebrates after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers, left, celebrates after kicking the winning field goal during overtime of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Seattle won 27-24. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
