The red-hot San Francisco 49ers head home to take on the 6-6 Seattle Seahawks in a division battle. The last time the two teams faced each other was in Week 12 when the 49ers defeated the Seahawks 31-13 on Thanksgiving. The 49ers look to improve their record to 10-3 and remain at the top of the NFC West. First, they must stick to the Keys to Victory.
Time of Possession
The last time these two teams met, the 49ers controlled the clock. The team possessed the ball for 35:30, allowing the 49ers to run 65 plays, 11 more than the Seahawks. Control the clock, win the game.
Discipline
In their last meeting with the Seahawks, the 49ers finished the game with three penalties for 20 yards on the road. At that time, the 49ers were the eighth most penalized team in the NFL. They are currently tied with the Cleveland Browns for 13th with 77 penalties for 698 yards. The league leader in penalties is the Seahawks, with 91 penalties for 808 yards. Most of San Francisco's penalties are from false starts, in which they have 14.
Since the 49ers are at home, expect the false start penalties to be minimal. If they resemble how disciplined they were in Weeks 12 to 14, they will succeed against the Seahawks.
Attack the Secondary
The Seahawks rank 23rd in pass defense, allowing 234.4 yards per game. They also rank third in defensive pass-interference calls. They have been called for DPI ten times this season. In their last matchup, the 49ers targeted linebacker Jordyn Brooks and safety Jamal Adams seven times. Both players allowed six receptions on that night. Brooks was responsible for 70 yards, and Adams was responsible for 49 yards.
Although Deebo Samuel didn't have a receiving touchdown in that game, the Seahawks defenders allowed him to lead the team in receiving with 79 yards. Brooks was the culprit responsible for 46 yards on Samuel alone. Expect 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to exploit the Seahawks' linebackers in pass coverage where they seem to struggle.
Deebo is the current NFC Offensive Player of the Week. If he plays well, it could be game over early for the Seahawks.
Run the Ball
The Seahawks are ranked 21st against the run. Running the ball should be a cakewalk for the 49ers, and it should remain a staple in their plan of attack. The 49ers rushed for 146 yards against the third-ranked rush defense (Eagles) last week.
Expect the 49ers to set the tone earlier by establishing the run first. Running back Christian McCaffrey rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns in their previous meeting. The team rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns. If the 49ers continue mixing the run game with a sprinkle of quarterback Brock Purdy, they will run into another victory.
Keep it Strictly Business
The 49ers can finish with the number one seed in the NFL. They can achieve this with help from the other teams, but they must take care of business by winning. Don't allow the emotions of defeating a juggernaut to be the reason to start slow, play sluggish, and be undisciplined. It's an "Any Given Sunday" league, and teams will bring their A-game.
Don't allow what happened in Week 6 to happen in Week 14. The 49ers must keep that same mentality week in and week out. One game at a time, win or go home, seems to be how this team plays. If the 49ers want to improve to 10-3, they must stick to the script and keep it "Strictly Business."
In conclusion, the 49ers are on a four-game win streak. They can create absolute separation in the NFC West, where they are 3-0. If they stick to the Keys to Victory, they will be 4-0 in the division.