The Seattle Seahawks play six of their 16 games against the NFC. We continue our three-part series of quick previews of division rivals with the San Francisco 49ers.
This is the second in a three-part series. Emerald City Swagger wants to give the 12th man some quick and easy previews of theSeattle SeahawksNFC West Rivals. We continue with the San Francisco 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers
Home Stadium:Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.
2017 Record:6-10 (3-5 at home, 1-5 vs. NFC West)
2018 Games against Seahawks:December 2 in Seattle; December 16 in San Francisco.
A 2017 mid-season trade shocker sentTom Brady’s prized backup quarterback,Jimmy Garoppolo, to the 49ers for only a second round pick. The trade made the 49ere look like an entirely different team, ending the season 5-0 with Jimmy G at the helm. That alone is giving many Niner fans much optimism for the 2018 season. Let’s take a look at what this year’s 49ers look like.
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Offense
As mentioned previously, Jimmy Garoppolo came to the 49ers from New England on October 30, 2017. Lessons learned from Tom Brady has Garoppolo poised to lead the 49ers to their first playoff appearance since 2013.
The 49ers signed Jerrick McKinnon to a four year, $30M contract this offseason in hopes that he could provide the backfield boost head coach Kyle Shanahan was looking for. That idea ended abruptly when McKinnon tore his ACL during a practice on September 2nd.
Coincidently, the team signed former Redskins pro bowl running backAlfred Morrisa couple of weeks ago to add insurance. Morris and second-year running backMatt Breidawill now handle the load.
Perhaps the biggest strength of the team is at wideout. Veteran Pierre Garçon leads the group as Garoppolo’s possession receiver. Speedy former track starMarquise Goodwinreturns as what seems to be Jimmy G’s favorite target.Trent Taylormans the slot spot.
Defense
The biggest question mark is the defense. The 49ers played well at times late in the season during their 5-0 stretch run. Prior to that, they were ranked among the bottom third in almost every defensive category. Adding former Seahawks CB inRichard Shermancould provide a big boost in terms of skill on the outside as well as veteran leadership to a relatively young group.
Two former Oregon Duck teammates inArik ArmsteadandDeForest Bucknerlook to provide pressure from the line and last seasons first round pick Salomon Thomas, out of Stanford, could provide the 49ers with an improved defense in 2018.
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