The Seahawks host the 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday night, a Thanksgiving showdown that will be the first of two meetings between these teams in the span of 18 days. To help you get ready for this week's game, we reached out to 49ers.com team reporter Lindsey Pallares with five questions about Seattle's Week 12 opponent:
Health has obviously been a big part of it, but what other factors have led to the 49ers turning things around with two big wins following a three-game losing streak?
Pallares: The return of wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams cannot be overstated, and their returns did a lot of good in terms of opening up the offense. With Williams, you've got one of the best run blockers in the game, and you can see that immediately reflected in the production of the ground game. With Williams injured/out over Weeks 6-8, the 49ers were averaging roughly 95 yards in that three-game span, and with him back, San Francisco has averaged just under 130 rushing yards a game. As far as Samuel is concerned, he's a hybrid weapon that can help take some of the attention off running back Christian McCaffrey because opposing defenses have to gameplan for him, and one of the trademarks of his game are the yards after catch which he continually flashes.
Aside from the health of these two very important playmakers, we've heard head coach Kyle Shanahan and several players speak about it, and they chalk it up to returning to what worked in those first five games of the season. The 49ers play fast, physical and on the defensive side of the ball, production up front leads to success in the secondary. The addition of Chase Young at the trade deadline was a nice boost to an already stacked D-line, and San Francisco was able to disrupt Trevor Lawrence (five sacks) as well extinguish any kind of run game for the Jaguars, holding them to 59 yards on the ground. On offense, Brock Purdy has taken care of the ball well and been precise in the passing game, and Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle have been two of his top targets, catching nearly everything thrown their way.
What has gone into Brock Purdy taking the kind of leap he has made in his second season, and, this relates to the last question, but what has allowed him to bounce back so well from a couple of subpar performances during that losing streak?
Pallares: Purdy, despite coming back from season-ending elbow surgery, has made a huge jump from his rookie to sophomore season, and it has a lot to do with who he is as a player. He has continued to be a student of the game and his position, and in addition to working on all the physical therapy necessary to recover from the elbow surgery also worked in the offseason with quarterback coach Will Hewlett and orthopedic specialist Tom Gormely. Also given the fact that Purdy minimized his time away from the team with his speedy recovery, he was able to build chemistry and get his reps with the rest of the 49ers offensive unit heading into the season.
As for his performances out of the Bye, it's been just about minimizing mistakes late in the game. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was very supportive of Purdy during the 49ers three-game losing streak and was satisfied with how he was handling opposing defenses. Turnovers were one of the areas of improvement highlighted, and Purdy has balanced letting it rip and being precise very well the last two games. Also, getting a week off from throwing, Purdy noted, allowed him to come back refreshed for the Week 10 against the Jaguars.
Talanoa Hufanga has obviously been a big part of the 49ers' defensive success over the past two seasons, how does the loss of the All-Pro safety to a torn ACL affect what San Francisco does on that side of the ball?
Pallares: The loss of the All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga was a significant one for the 49ers, and that's a sentiment that's been echoed from the coaching staff to the locker room. Hufanga started ten games and amassed 51 total tackles (one tackle for loss), two quarterback hits, three interceptions and three passes defended in 2023, and was part of a one-two punch with safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. He's a big part of the takeaway ability of the 49ers defense, and like the rest of the unit, is a physical player. His presence on the field will be missed, but San Francisco feels good about what they have in rookie safety Ji'Ayir Brown. We saw a small sample size of what he can do in that role against the Buccaneers which included four total tackles, an interception and three passes defended. He will have big shoes to fill, but defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has spoken at length about his readiness and eagerness to keep getting better since he arrived in The Bay. His upside is good, and the team is looking to him now.
Aside from the obvious big names, what player or players could you see being an X-factor in this game?
Pallares: Chase Young is the newest addition to the 49ers D-line, and I expect to see his role grow as he settles into the defense. San Francisco got good production from Young in his first outing against the Jags, and he got his first solo sack against Tampa Bay.
What matchup/matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Thursday?
Pallares: I'm looking forward to seeing Geno Smith and Seattle's offensive line contend with San Francisco's pass rush. The 49ers are coming off two disruptive outings against Jacksonville (five sacks) and Tampa Bay (four sacks) and don't plan on taking their foot of the gas anytime soon. Smith has been sacked 21 times this season, which lands him in the middle of most sacked QBs, but this is one of the better pass rushes in the league headed to Seattle.
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.
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)
San Francisco 49ers' Terrell Owens catches the game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Jeff Garcia while Seattle Seahawks' Shawn Springs defends during the fourth quarter in Seattle, Monday, Oct. 14. 29, 2002. The 49ers won, 28-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
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' 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)
San Francisco 49ers running back Kevan Barlow (32) looks for hole in line on Saturday, December 27, 2003, in San Francisco, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 24-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looks for room to pass under pressure from San Francisco 49ers' John Engelberger (95) and Derrick Hamilton (88) in the first quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Darrell Jackson, right, runs in for a touchdown past San Francissco 49ers' Ronnie Heard on a 33-yard pass reception in the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)
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)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith attempts to pass under pressure from Seattle Seahawks' Craig Terrill, right, and Rodney Bailey (95) in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, at Qwest Field in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 41-3. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws downfield while under pressure from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Julian Peterson, left, in the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.J. Hackett (18) cannot hold on to a pass in the second quarter as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Mark Roman defends in the second quarter Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore, center, fumbles in front of Seattle Seahawks' Darryl Tapp in the first quarter of their NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 12: Tight end Marcus Pollard #88 of the Seattle Seahawks spins after the reception against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 12, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won the game 24-0. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) Marcus Pollard
Seattle Seahawks' Josh Wilson defends as San Francisco 49ers' Isaac Bruce makes a 33-yard reception in overtime in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in Seattle. The 49ers won 33-30. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones, left, carries the ball in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry (59), top, tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Glen Coffee (29) during an NFL football game in San Francisco, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck in action against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Justin Forsett in action against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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 wide receiver Doug Baldwin (15) against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) drives for the end zone during an NFL game against Seattle Seahawks defensive back Kam Chancellor (31) on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in Seattle. The 49ers won the game, 19-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) tries to make a tackle while blocked by Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) during the NFL week 7 football game on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game 13-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman comes down with an interception ahead of San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver Randy Moss in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 42-13. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes against the defense of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell, left, intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) catches a 35-yard touchdown pass at 13:44 of the fourth quarter of the NFL NFC Championship playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, January 19, 2014 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game 23-17. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson (10) heads downfield during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Nov. 27, 2014, in Santa Clara, Ca. The Seahawks won the game, 19-3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Wagner, left, closes in on San Francisco 49ers' Carlos Hyde, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
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 tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches the ball against San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers, 37-18. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Jeremy Lane (20) tackles San Francisco 49ers' Raheem Mostert (31) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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)
