How the Seahawks could lose to the 49ers
If they're not careful, the Niners could sneak up on them.

 

Coming off a heartbreaking loss in Sunday night primetime, the Seahawks are looking to get their mojo back against a familiar punching bag, the San Francisco 49ers. Though they should be careful, as they could just as easily lose to their struggling foes at home if they’re not careful.

 

Defensive lapses 

Until last week the consistent strength of this team was its defense. And this defensive unit definitely has the 49ers figured out, and no one should expect the Niners to suddenly draw up a perfect game plan to break this Seahawks D.

The only thing that will allow the 49ers offense to score enough for a win is luck, amazing field position on a consistent basis or the ‘Hawks shooting themselves in the foot like they did against Carolina.

 

Offensive struggles

This year despite what the coaches may say, the Seahawks have shown a slight bias toward the passing game. Yes Marshawn Lynch has been injured, but look at Russell Wilson’s numbers and the theory proves to be true.

Wilson is on pace for career highs in passing yards (3,765) and completion percentage (65.8) while his running numbers are down. While that may be attributed to a conscious effort to not run as often, the higher numbers have not translated into points. He has only ten touchdown passes, and only one TD pass in the fourth quarter. Second half struggles have plagued the Seahawks this year, and they managed only three points after halftime in their first game against San Francisco.

With a lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball, the offense’s inability to sustain drives may be affecting the defense’s stamina more than many may think. Somehow the Niners found a formula to stop the Seahawks a month ago and who knows, maybe they will continue it tomorrow.

 

Loss of primetime magic

It may not be a reason they’ll lose, but it is noteworthy nonetheless. This year the Seahawks are 2-2 in primetime. So far they’ve been featured on all 3 primetime sources, Monday Night, Sunday Night and Thursday Night against the Lions, Cardinals, Packers and 49ers. Yet they could easily be 1-3 if not for a miracle play and non-call against the Lions on Monday Night.

It goes to show that teams are no longer fazed by playing the two-time defending NFC champs, in primetime or at Century Link, as Arizona proved Sunday.

All the aforementioned reasons are not single occurrences; instead they are patterns of a disturbing trend. What is even more disturbing is that they remain unsolved and will be what keeps this team out of the playoffs.

Photo: Flickr/Ben Rea

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