The Seahawks are preparing for their second game in three weeks against the NFC West-leading 49ers. Ahead of this week's trip to the Bay Area, here are six things to know about Seattle's Week 14 opponent:
Trent Williams: Sticking to the Script
With Week 14 approaching, 49ers veteran tackle Trent Williams ranks No. 1 amongst all tackles in Pro Bowl voting at 35-years-old. The 10-time selection has made the Pro Bowl in every season he's played in since 2012, earning First Team All-Pro honors in 2021 and 2022. Per ESPN Analytics, Williams is tied for the second-best Pass Block Win Rate (94%) amongst all tackles. The Oklahoma alum leads the way upfront for San Francisco's high-powered offense, ranking third in total offense (391.9 YPG).
Charvarius Ward: The Rematch
Cornerback Charvarius Ward earned the Sunday Night Football crew's game ball after Week 12's 31-13 win over the Seahawks. Per the request of Coach Shanahan, Ward shadowed Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf in the contest. Metcalf caught 3 passes for 32 yards, as Seattle's offense was held without a touchdown. Ward accounted for five tackles and three passes defensed. Coming into Week 14, the Middle Tennessee alum leads the NFL in pass deflections (19). Metcalf, meanwhile, followed that game with his best performance of the season, catching six passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. On Wednesday, Metcalf shared respect for the 49ers' 27-year-old corner.
"Any corner who can travel with me for a whole duration of a game," said Metcalf. "I have mad respect for."
Javon Hargrave: Interior Presence
49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is one of seven San Francisco players to lead their position in Pro Bowl voting. The South Carolina State alum has recorded 6.0 sacks across 12 games, for his third straight season with five-plus sacks. The eight-year veteran recorded 1.5 sacks in San Francisco's Week 12 win over the Seahawks, along with seven tackles. After preventing the Cowboys from sacking quarterback Geno Smith in Week 13, the Seahawks offensive line will look to prevent Hargrave and the 49ers defense from repeating their six-sack Week 12 performance.
Christian McCaffrey: Making 'Em Miss
Eighth-year running back Christian McCaffrey rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown in Week 13's 42-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, taking him over the 1,000-yard mark on the year (1,032). The Stanford alum leads the league in rushing yards, rushing for 12 touchdowns while also catching 51 passes for 429 yards and five scores. This marks the third 1,000-yard season of McCaffrey's career, and the fifth season of 50-plus receptions. McCaffrey rushed for two touchdowns against the Seahawks in Week 12, notching his fourth 100-yard game (114) of the year. Seattle will look to slow down McCaffrey, repeating the success of the three teams that beat San Francisco this season, with McCaffrey being held to 54, 45 and 43 yards in losses to Cincinnati, Minnesota and Cleveland.
Arik Armstead: An Injury To Watch
49ers defensive end Arik Armstead recorded a sack in San Francisco's 31-13 Week 12 win over the Seahawks. The Oregon alum and San Francisco’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee played through a recurring foot injury, before hurting his knee during the contest. The team is still figuring out the severity of Armstead's knee injury; prompting Coach Kyle Shanahan to say he'd be "surprised" if the Year 9 pass rusher plays versus Seattle on Sunday.
Spencer Burford: Injury Report (Knee)
49ers second-year guard Spencer Burford is looking to avoid missing San Francisco's matchup against the Seahawks for the second time this season. The University of Texas-San Antonio alum has battled with a knee issue through most of the 2023 season; and now the other knee has forced him to miss Wednesday’s practice. The team is seeking more information, following Burford getting dinged up in San Francisco's 42-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.
The Seahawks and 49ers face off on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the 49ers.