While they have a great defense the only team the Browns have beat with a winning record is the 49ers. Two teams at 3-3 and one at 3-4. Browns lost to two teams in their division, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. I think anything could happen against the Hawks.
Having the Vikings expose some weaknesses in Purdy’s game on national tv makes me wonder if we are particularly hard on Geno because we see all of his plays, good, bad and maddening, but mostly highlights of other QBs. Geno is more than competent at moving the team downfield, but struggles in the red zone and doesn’t have the “ice water in his veins” that prime Russ, or Brady, Manning, Staubach, Starr, etc. had. And yet he’s ranked about 10th at the position right now, this year, not in the first 1/2 of last year’s “Good Geno” era. If we saw as much of the play from other QBs would we be more accepting of Geno? After seeing how poorly Russ has played after “escaping” PC’s over control, can we trust that perhaps Pete actually knows what he’s doing and knows how to tailor a team to suit the particular talent he has available? And maybe as the OL gets healthy, the running game finds a rhythm and the defense continues to improve that Geno will be a competent enough game manager to get a SB win, a la Russ. Not THE most important cog, but AN important cog.
First Amen to the observation that comments about Geno ignore the reality of the QB position in the NFL. To me the Seahawks offensive struggles the past two weeks can be summed up as he does not score touchdowns in the red zone. Even worse Geno has thrown picks in back to back weeks in the red zone. But that is a problem a lot of team are having.
I live in Dallas. Living in the home of America's team the only way I can see the Seahawks is through Sunday ticket so I get a lot of games, and because I want to get my money's worth I tape them and then fast forward through other games, the 49ers Vikings game is not unique. QBs/Teams around the league are struggling in red zone.
I think I know why - running backs and the interior offensive line have been devalued to the point that teams can no longer run against a base defense with 8/9 players in a tight box much less a goal line seven man front (no gaps). If a team cannot run the ball under those circumstances then the options are limited. The throwing windows are very tight. The offensive line cannot make mistakes, and the ability to help on the offensive line is limited. In short individual players have to win the rep against maximum defensive effort. If the offensive line cannot block for three to three and half seconds and the primary receiver cannot win a route in 2 to 2.5 seconds absent a busted coverage or perfect throw it is really tough to score, and the results around the league show it.
Mobile QBs that can buy time and or beat a defender help a lot but even that is not working as it once did because most of the mobile QB like Hurts who cannot hit a tight window with anticipation is facing zone pass rush and zone coverage that creates pressure without opening up running lanes and a zone coverage that demands tight throws and as a result struggling. An offensive coordinator that can create a favorable match ups through scheme help a lot but it only goes so far. You still need people to create a mismatch.
When Pete says what we wants to do is run the ball and stop the run, I don't think he is out of touch I think he is talking about the red zone. The defense is doing there part in stopping the run and therefore is getting better week by week.
The offense, however, is not getting better at running the ball inside the red zone. Lockett is the only reliable receiver to beat every coverage and they are blanketing him. Geno is fast but not mobile in terms of making people miss and or being a threat on a designed run. Geno running is similar to Trey Lance yes he is fast but he is not elusive and as a result he is in real jeopardy of being injured on every run. Basically he is the opposite of Russ. The only solution I can see is to get better at running the ball in the Red Zone.
You remind me of the respect I hold for Pete Carroll. I was extremely frustrated to not get a solid look at Lock in the 2nd half of the Giants game and questioned Pete for this "easy" call. Pete does or doesn't do things for damn good reasons. He may very well not want tape on Lock out there yet, thereby "keeping his ammo dry". Nobody knows, myself included. That is a huge card to hold in this Game. Maybe it is best played against Frisco in the 2nd half, leaving them stunned and confused. Geno looks to not get through his read progressions, causing defenses to assume he is lousy at it. This may be an underestimation Pete wants? The complexities involved and variables in play is what makes this Sport fascinating. Lots of qualified analysts vehemently defend Geno. So, you are right: I will trust Pete Carroll.
I’m not a total Pete apologist. I know he has flaws, including clock and time out management. But then I remember having similar misgivings about Holmgren or Dan Quinn in Atlanta’s SB meltdown or any number of other coaches I’ve watched for the past 60 years.
Pete’s strength doesn’t seem to be Xs and Os, but he builds a great environment for his players and seems to be good at utilizing their strengths while masking flaws. He’s also more adaptable than people give him credit for- he let Russ cook or awhile, he’s let Hurtt try a different defensive style, he’s attempted 4th down conversions a bit more as the league has evolved, etc.
It’s easy for me/us to nitpick from our easy chairs during a game or on Monday morning, but he has to deal with real world constraints in money, player availability for acquisition plus availability at any given time due to injuries, emotions during the game, limited view from the sideline, etc. We sometimes forget that the other teams also have good players with talented coaches so it isn’t always that the Seahawks failed in any given loss, but that the other team succeeded. What I know for certain is that he has provided the best era of Seahawks football in their history and has rebuilt the team at least three times while keeping them in the playoff picture almost every year.
I'd still say the Walker trade was the worst. Why? Because of all 'Dem 'Boys fans it spawned who still won't shut up about that era. Plus anything that's good for Jerry must surely be bad for everyone else.
If the 49ers are questioned after losing to the Vikings and Eagles, what questions do Seattle get asked about for the loss to the Bengals and Rams?
49ers are not overrated. I fully expect them in double digit wins still. I can't believe their offence was solely reliant on Deebo and imagine next week they'll have figured it out and bounced back with a nice clean win. Meanwhile I have creeping doubt about the Browns game and the more questions that leaves us facing.
The Seahawks have already been lucky, just being 4-2. I'd give us a 20% chance of winning the division (when I'm in my least cantankerous mood). The 49ers haven't looked great the last two games but, Deebo or no Deebo, they have a lot of talent.
They can absolutely both be true. Purdy has the far more talented supporting cast. Purdy thinks fast and makes mostly smart decisions when under fire. Geno has a better arm but is less mobile and makes bad decisions when pressured. If a team can get consistent pressure on him, they have a great chance of winning.
I'd give the 49ers a 20% chance of making the big game and a 10% chance of winning it all. I'd give us maybe a 2% chance of making the big game and less than 1% of winning.
Ah yes Foles, the QB no-one considered good outside of one 2013 season and two playoff games in 2017... oh, actually i see the comparison to Geno and concede we just need him to randomly find a previously unseen level of talent.
'Hawks to win the 2026 season is ours when Geno takes over after a heartbreaking injury to Shedur Sanders.
(It is a fair argument to have a mediocre QB, surround them with Talent, and then hope they get hot/Clutch when it matters a la Eli or Nick, it's just not a plan i'll ever support or advocate for)
I went to law school at the University of Arizona, where Foles played, and he was frustrating to watch in college. Seemed to have big time talent but could never put it together. And then somehow he did in that short Eagles' run.
He thanked Jesus like so many QBs do. Like Michael Penix after the Oregon game. I imagine the stress of playing that position must be overwhelming. Imagine a stadium full of strangers with hopes and dreams hanging on your shoulder. If you screw up, little kids are gonna cry. One could try to block it out but everyone craves love and fears disapproval.
Purdy so far has shown enough for me to say he's a better QB right now, was a better QB down the stretch last season, and has a higher ceiling than Geno.
He's not going to be a Top5 star QB, but he's got the right mix of skills to suit the 49ers and call the right shot at the right moment.
And I also believe Purdy has the exact right attitude to make it work in a Brady way of quietly efficiently doing his job and letting others star as the team molds around him. (Yes I'm a fan of Purdy, but he's damn well earned that respect)
If we assume that replacing Geno with Purdy means we also inherit Purdy's wage, then yes the 'Hawks would be much better. The QB play would seemingly fit better with an offence stacked in options and multiple reads, and we'd have a ton more cap space to play with to bolster the squad.
If we assume Purdy steps in to Geno's contract, still yes. Whilst we can't improve around him, I strongly believe Purdy's ability to read and process alongside his slightly more mobile nature would improve the 'Hawks.
Does this make the 'Hawks an immediate SB contender? No. I think we're still an OC short, as well a few steps away at a couple of key positions. If you put Geno into the 49ers does he stop them being a SB contender? I'd argue yes, he would regress that team.
But it all comes with the caveat that as i've said and stand by, Geno is fine and can get a team into the playoffs through normal regular season play. But he cannot elevate a team above that line, and we cannot currently overcome that and surround him with exceptional talent. Geno needs 8-10+ blue chippers, i'd say Purdy needs 4-5 and that's much more achievable.
I honestly don’t think that the OC is that important. The rules are so skewed to the offense that any capable professional is more than equal to the task. The most important part of the job is to have the HC’s confidence.
I agree with KH that Purdy is the better QB. Doesn't necessarily mean he's the right guy for the Seahawks. Carroll is not Shanahan. But if we had the option to try, I'd definitely want to.
Watching the Vikings-49ers game, the thing that stood out to me was how Brian Flores and the Vikings were able to disrupt the 49ers offense by blitzing and playing press behind it. When Brock Purdy can sit in a clean pocket and throw the timing routes to his wide open receivers he's accurate, leads his receivers to get YAC, and overall a great QB. Hopefully our D will take a page from the Vikings playbook, since Jamal, Spoon, Bobby, and others all can rush the passer effectively so the 49ers O-line will have to account for all of them if we show blitz before the snap.
I'll continue assuming that the 9'ers are a good to great team for now. Adding the FA pieces they did was a bit like trying to create a super-team, and that doesn't work sometimes. You end up with less, not more. Perhaps that's the case, but we'll see. We know now they are beatable, so that's something.
The whole Watson thing is disgusting. Given his history, to throw more guaranteed money at him than any QB in history was pure unadulterated stupidity. No hedges, no performance guarantee's, no outs. Nothing. Teams get so desperate to win, they do strange things. Cleveland deserves to lose. Not the Team or the fans, but the ownership and management.
We got our offensive line back-ups experienced early. That should be a Very Good Thing, preparing us to survive the injury crunch better than SF. Hell, we saw Forsyth playing on the right side this last week and he did okay. So add in versatility. Plus we have guys we haven't seen yet, one being a huge old veteran. Drawing our first outing in Week 12 has moved in our favor.
The problem with building a super-D-duper DL Pass Rushing team is that---it can't be the centerpiece. You have to have quality DBs to back it up. A passing scheme can be drawn up to defeat a heavy pass-rush D, but it is much more difficult to beat a team with superior DBs AND that can stop the run.
Look at the sacks the Seahawks have generated compared to the Niners... "coverage sacks" are a real thing.
Cousins last night was hitting his hot read Every Single Time. Gotta scheme it up but also gotta execute--it can be done. And if the protection holds up you can hit the deep crossers and fades against the Niners, too.
Just to add a bit, Wilks' problem is he does not have the CB talent to play press man, and win. The NN board was melting down because of the "off" coverage/soft zone but you need to have the Riq's and Spoons and Browns to be able to play press, man, and not get taken to the cleaners! (That was a Dry Cleaner joke aimed at my long-departed Dad.)
This is when you start kicking yourself for getting only 3 points out of four 2nd half trips to the red zone against the beatable Bengals. Coulda been sitting at 5-1 and alone at the top of the NFC West. Or should I say, shoulda been sitting at 5-1 and alone at the top of the NFC West.
The Niners have sure opened the door and I think back to the article you wrote for that *other site* (ahem TurfShowTimes) about them prior to the season and yeah, the Niners are on track. But instead of starting out shaky and finishing strong like last year, they are going the other direction.
I maintain that losing all of that draft capital on Trey then CMC is biting the Niners now. Covering by signing FAs to big contracts rarely works. That DL is "average" in terms of results and how is that going to change? The sparkle is off of Purdy now his tendencies are on tape; mix in a few injuries to key players and viola! The Niners are now "average".
In comparison, the Seahawks are ascending. The D is getting stronger every week (Nwosu's injury aside) and the *potential* of the offense is still off the charts if the OL gets healthier and "Good Geno" can put "Bad Geno" in a box somewhere.
At this point of the season where both teams are now, I really like the Seahawks' chances of finishing the season first in the NFCW.
I understand, and I have been (and am) highly critical of Geno.
The personnel on the offensive side of the ball HAS improved since Geno's first 5 games last year, and the rookies are getting experience. If the OL can get healthier, which will benefit the run game, it *might* allow Geno's strengths in P/A passing to shine and be that little bit better that he needs to be... to be "decent."
My thots exactly! I refuse to underestimate the effect Jamal and Spoon are having as we watched Brooks relish in also rising to a similar level of dishing out a hurt on the ball carrier. Guys like Levi Bell will bring a level of exertion well above his size, as we see with Spoon. These guys will shift into feeding-frenzy modes throughout the games, making offenses hesitant and wary. Coming soon are the interception dances where Safeties are covering behind the hits, looking for volleyball tips as we often saw with the LOB. They will eat on the chaos they cause. This is why Pete and John draft certain players or pay Big Bucks, no matter the position they play.
I agree - I think the winning formula against Cleveland shapes up to be an old school Pete game focused on defense, turnovers, special teams and 13 to 10 final score. Or 7 to 24 score if the Seahawks can force plus 2 turn over differential (defensive score in there).
If the offense goes out and puts up 25 plus points on its own, I will be ecstatic but I am not counting on it. This is one game where if Seahawks win but the offense struggles, I am not going to be upset.
Third times the charm, we are going to ram the ball down their throat.
While they have a great defense the only team the Browns have beat with a winning record is the 49ers. Two teams at 3-3 and one at 3-4. Browns lost to two teams in their division, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. I think anything could happen against the Hawks.
Having the Vikings expose some weaknesses in Purdy’s game on national tv makes me wonder if we are particularly hard on Geno because we see all of his plays, good, bad and maddening, but mostly highlights of other QBs. Geno is more than competent at moving the team downfield, but struggles in the red zone and doesn’t have the “ice water in his veins” that prime Russ, or Brady, Manning, Staubach, Starr, etc. had. And yet he’s ranked about 10th at the position right now, this year, not in the first 1/2 of last year’s “Good Geno” era. If we saw as much of the play from other QBs would we be more accepting of Geno? After seeing how poorly Russ has played after “escaping” PC’s over control, can we trust that perhaps Pete actually knows what he’s doing and knows how to tailor a team to suit the particular talent he has available? And maybe as the OL gets healthy, the running game finds a rhythm and the defense continues to improve that Geno will be a competent enough game manager to get a SB win, a la Russ. Not THE most important cog, but AN important cog.
First Amen to the observation that comments about Geno ignore the reality of the QB position in the NFL. To me the Seahawks offensive struggles the past two weeks can be summed up as he does not score touchdowns in the red zone. Even worse Geno has thrown picks in back to back weeks in the red zone. But that is a problem a lot of team are having.
I live in Dallas. Living in the home of America's team the only way I can see the Seahawks is through Sunday ticket so I get a lot of games, and because I want to get my money's worth I tape them and then fast forward through other games, the 49ers Vikings game is not unique. QBs/Teams around the league are struggling in red zone.
I think I know why - running backs and the interior offensive line have been devalued to the point that teams can no longer run against a base defense with 8/9 players in a tight box much less a goal line seven man front (no gaps). If a team cannot run the ball under those circumstances then the options are limited. The throwing windows are very tight. The offensive line cannot make mistakes, and the ability to help on the offensive line is limited. In short individual players have to win the rep against maximum defensive effort. If the offensive line cannot block for three to three and half seconds and the primary receiver cannot win a route in 2 to 2.5 seconds absent a busted coverage or perfect throw it is really tough to score, and the results around the league show it.
Mobile QBs that can buy time and or beat a defender help a lot but even that is not working as it once did because most of the mobile QB like Hurts who cannot hit a tight window with anticipation is facing zone pass rush and zone coverage that creates pressure without opening up running lanes and a zone coverage that demands tight throws and as a result struggling. An offensive coordinator that can create a favorable match ups through scheme help a lot but it only goes so far. You still need people to create a mismatch.
When Pete says what we wants to do is run the ball and stop the run, I don't think he is out of touch I think he is talking about the red zone. The defense is doing there part in stopping the run and therefore is getting better week by week.
The offense, however, is not getting better at running the ball inside the red zone. Lockett is the only reliable receiver to beat every coverage and they are blanketing him. Geno is fast but not mobile in terms of making people miss and or being a threat on a designed run. Geno running is similar to Trey Lance yes he is fast but he is not elusive and as a result he is in real jeopardy of being injured on every run. Basically he is the opposite of Russ. The only solution I can see is to get better at running the ball in the Red Zone.
You remind me of the respect I hold for Pete Carroll. I was extremely frustrated to not get a solid look at Lock in the 2nd half of the Giants game and questioned Pete for this "easy" call. Pete does or doesn't do things for damn good reasons. He may very well not want tape on Lock out there yet, thereby "keeping his ammo dry". Nobody knows, myself included. That is a huge card to hold in this Game. Maybe it is best played against Frisco in the 2nd half, leaving them stunned and confused. Geno looks to not get through his read progressions, causing defenses to assume he is lousy at it. This may be an underestimation Pete wants? The complexities involved and variables in play is what makes this Sport fascinating. Lots of qualified analysts vehemently defend Geno. So, you are right: I will trust Pete Carroll.
I’m not a total Pete apologist. I know he has flaws, including clock and time out management. But then I remember having similar misgivings about Holmgren or Dan Quinn in Atlanta’s SB meltdown or any number of other coaches I’ve watched for the past 60 years.
Pete’s strength doesn’t seem to be Xs and Os, but he builds a great environment for his players and seems to be good at utilizing their strengths while masking flaws. He’s also more adaptable than people give him credit for- he let Russ cook or awhile, he’s let Hurtt try a different defensive style, he’s attempted 4th down conversions a bit more as the league has evolved, etc.
It’s easy for me/us to nitpick from our easy chairs during a game or on Monday morning, but he has to deal with real world constraints in money, player availability for acquisition plus availability at any given time due to injuries, emotions during the game, limited view from the sideline, etc. We sometimes forget that the other teams also have good players with talented coaches so it isn’t always that the Seahawks failed in any given loss, but that the other team succeeded. What I know for certain is that he has provided the best era of Seahawks football in their history and has rebuilt the team at least three times while keeping them in the playoff picture almost every year.
That was an enjoyable read... Well said!
Worst contract, yes. Worst trade, I'd just say that a tuned out DeShaun is still much better than Trey Lance.
I'd still say the Walker trade was the worst. Why? Because of all 'Dem 'Boys fans it spawned who still won't shut up about that era. Plus anything that's good for Jerry must surely be bad for everyone else.
If the 49ers are questioned after losing to the Vikings and Eagles, what questions do Seattle get asked about for the loss to the Bengals and Rams?
49ers are not overrated. I fully expect them in double digit wins still. I can't believe their offence was solely reliant on Deebo and imagine next week they'll have figured it out and bounced back with a nice clean win. Meanwhile I have creeping doubt about the Browns game and the more questions that leaves us facing.
Vikings and Browns ( not Eagles)
Deebo certainly helps, even if only as a decoy. But I think missing Trent Williams is the real reason for their two duds in a row.
The Seahawks have already been lucky, just being 4-2. I'd give us a 20% chance of winning the division (when I'm in my least cantankerous mood). The 49ers haven't looked great the last two games but, Deebo or no Deebo, they have a lot of talent.
Dear Seahawk fans,
Both things cannot be true:
Geno cannot win a SB.
The Niners can win a SB.
Unless you believe that Brock Purdy (LOL) is better than Geno Smith (I don't and don't see it particularly close).
If you do great, I guess. But I have a real hard time seeing it.
Overall, Seahawks can win a SB with Geno. Go Hawks.
They can absolutely both be true. Purdy has the far more talented supporting cast. Purdy thinks fast and makes mostly smart decisions when under fire. Geno has a better arm but is less mobile and makes bad decisions when pressured. If a team can get consistent pressure on him, they have a great chance of winning.
I'd give the 49ers a 20% chance of making the big game and a 10% chance of winning it all. I'd give us maybe a 2% chance of making the big game and less than 1% of winning.
If we're thinking about Purdy and Geno, let's compare then to two QBs that went to the Super Bowl recently, with similar careers and playing styles.
Purdy is a better Garoppolo: Jimmy G choked.
Geno is comparable to Nick Foles: he won against Brady and took MVP honors and a statue on Lincoln Field.
So yeah, we can win with Geno, but like the 2017 Eagles, everything else must be clicking.
Ah yes Foles, the QB no-one considered good outside of one 2013 season and two playoff games in 2017... oh, actually i see the comparison to Geno and concede we just need him to randomly find a previously unseen level of talent.
'Hawks to win the 2026 season is ours when Geno takes over after a heartbreaking injury to Shedur Sanders.
(It is a fair argument to have a mediocre QB, surround them with Talent, and then hope they get hot/Clutch when it matters a la Eli or Nick, it's just not a plan i'll ever support or advocate for)
I went to law school at the University of Arizona, where Foles played, and he was frustrating to watch in college. Seemed to have big time talent but could never put it together. And then somehow he did in that short Eagles' run.
He thanked Jesus like so many QBs do. Like Michael Penix after the Oregon game. I imagine the stress of playing that position must be overwhelming. Imagine a stadium full of strangers with hopes and dreams hanging on your shoulder. If you screw up, little kids are gonna cry. One could try to block it out but everyone craves love and fears disapproval.
They can only both be true if you believe that Purdy is a better QB than Geno.
Purdy so far has shown enough for me to say he's a better QB right now, was a better QB down the stretch last season, and has a higher ceiling than Geno.
He's not going to be a Top5 star QB, but he's got the right mix of skills to suit the 49ers and call the right shot at the right moment.
And I also believe Purdy has the exact right attitude to make it work in a Brady way of quietly efficiently doing his job and letting others star as the team molds around him. (Yes I'm a fan of Purdy, but he's damn well earned that respect)
So the Seahawks are a better team with Brock Purdy at the helm?
I don’t see it ... but respect your opinion.
If we assume that replacing Geno with Purdy means we also inherit Purdy's wage, then yes the 'Hawks would be much better. The QB play would seemingly fit better with an offence stacked in options and multiple reads, and we'd have a ton more cap space to play with to bolster the squad.
If we assume Purdy steps in to Geno's contract, still yes. Whilst we can't improve around him, I strongly believe Purdy's ability to read and process alongside his slightly more mobile nature would improve the 'Hawks.
Does this make the 'Hawks an immediate SB contender? No. I think we're still an OC short, as well a few steps away at a couple of key positions. If you put Geno into the 49ers does he stop them being a SB contender? I'd argue yes, he would regress that team.
But it all comes with the caveat that as i've said and stand by, Geno is fine and can get a team into the playoffs through normal regular season play. But he cannot elevate a team above that line, and we cannot currently overcome that and surround him with exceptional talent. Geno needs 8-10+ blue chippers, i'd say Purdy needs 4-5 and that's much more achievable.
I honestly don’t think that the OC is that important. The rules are so skewed to the offense that any capable professional is more than equal to the task. The most important part of the job is to have the HC’s confidence.
Didn’t realize people thought Purdy was better (or an upper tier QB in general) than Geno! That’s what you are going with that is cool.
Cost is a good point and he is more mobile.
If Geno is on the Niners I make them SB favorites. I got Geno about 3 points better per game than Purdy (per game).
I agree with KH that Purdy is the better QB. Doesn't necessarily mean he's the right guy for the Seahawks. Carroll is not Shanahan. But if we had the option to try, I'd definitely want to.
Watching the Vikings-49ers game, the thing that stood out to me was how Brian Flores and the Vikings were able to disrupt the 49ers offense by blitzing and playing press behind it. When Brock Purdy can sit in a clean pocket and throw the timing routes to his wide open receivers he's accurate, leads his receivers to get YAC, and overall a great QB. Hopefully our D will take a page from the Vikings playbook, since Jamal, Spoon, Bobby, and others all can rush the passer effectively so the 49ers O-line will have to account for all of them if we show blitz before the snap.
I'll continue assuming that the 9'ers are a good to great team for now. Adding the FA pieces they did was a bit like trying to create a super-team, and that doesn't work sometimes. You end up with less, not more. Perhaps that's the case, but we'll see. We know now they are beatable, so that's something.
The whole Watson thing is disgusting. Given his history, to throw more guaranteed money at him than any QB in history was pure unadulterated stupidity. No hedges, no performance guarantee's, no outs. Nothing. Teams get so desperate to win, they do strange things. Cleveland deserves to lose. Not the Team or the fans, but the ownership and management.
We got our offensive line back-ups experienced early. That should be a Very Good Thing, preparing us to survive the injury crunch better than SF. Hell, we saw Forsyth playing on the right side this last week and he did okay. So add in versatility. Plus we have guys we haven't seen yet, one being a huge old veteran. Drawing our first outing in Week 12 has moved in our favor.
The problem with building a super-D-duper DL Pass Rushing team is that---it can't be the centerpiece. You have to have quality DBs to back it up. A passing scheme can be drawn up to defeat a heavy pass-rush D, but it is much more difficult to beat a team with superior DBs AND that can stop the run.
Look at the sacks the Seahawks have generated compared to the Niners... "coverage sacks" are a real thing.
Cousins last night was hitting his hot read Every Single Time. Gotta scheme it up but also gotta execute--it can be done. And if the protection holds up you can hit the deep crossers and fades against the Niners, too.
Just to add a bit, Wilks' problem is he does not have the CB talent to play press man, and win. The NN board was melting down because of the "off" coverage/soft zone but you need to have the Riq's and Spoons and Browns to be able to play press, man, and not get taken to the cleaners! (That was a Dry Cleaner joke aimed at my long-departed Dad.)
You're Dad is smiling.
Yeah, I got my sense of humor (mostly warped and dry) from him lol. But I amuse myself (and my wife gets me, which is critically important.)
This is when you start kicking yourself for getting only 3 points out of four 2nd half trips to the red zone against the beatable Bengals. Coulda been sitting at 5-1 and alone at the top of the NFC West. Or should I say, shoulda been sitting at 5-1 and alone at the top of the NFC West.
Like that :
" a topic I’m unqualified to speak on but…Sure! I’ll take all the potential internal dissension I can get."
The Niners have sure opened the door and I think back to the article you wrote for that *other site* (ahem TurfShowTimes) about them prior to the season and yeah, the Niners are on track. But instead of starting out shaky and finishing strong like last year, they are going the other direction.
I maintain that losing all of that draft capital on Trey then CMC is biting the Niners now. Covering by signing FAs to big contracts rarely works. That DL is "average" in terms of results and how is that going to change? The sparkle is off of Purdy now his tendencies are on tape; mix in a few injuries to key players and viola! The Niners are now "average".
In comparison, the Seahawks are ascending. The D is getting stronger every week (Nwosu's injury aside) and the *potential* of the offense is still off the charts if the OL gets healthier and "Good Geno" can put "Bad Geno" in a box somewhere.
At this point of the season where both teams are now, I really like the Seahawks' chances of finishing the season first in the NFCW.
If we had a decent QB, I'd agree.
I understand, and I have been (and am) highly critical of Geno.
The personnel on the offensive side of the ball HAS improved since Geno's first 5 games last year, and the rookies are getting experience. If the OL can get healthier, which will benefit the run game, it *might* allow Geno's strengths in P/A passing to shine and be that little bit better that he needs to be... to be "decent."
I hope you're right. I think we fans tend to be overly optimistic. Usually, that applies as much to me as anyone else. But not last year or this.
Hopefully our offence can step up. Sounds like they’ll need to to win this one.
How about Bobo laughing and dancing all the way to the Concussion Tent? Again, contagious.
The scoring opportunities and actual points needed might just come from the D.
My thots exactly! I refuse to underestimate the effect Jamal and Spoon are having as we watched Brooks relish in also rising to a similar level of dishing out a hurt on the ball carrier. Guys like Levi Bell will bring a level of exertion well above his size, as we see with Spoon. These guys will shift into feeding-frenzy modes throughout the games, making offenses hesitant and wary. Coming soon are the interception dances where Safeties are covering behind the hits, looking for volleyball tips as we often saw with the LOB. They will eat on the chaos they cause. This is why Pete and John draft certain players or pay Big Bucks, no matter the position they play.
I agree - I think the winning formula against Cleveland shapes up to be an old school Pete game focused on defense, turnovers, special teams and 13 to 10 final score. Or 7 to 24 score if the Seahawks can force plus 2 turn over differential (defensive score in there).
If the offense goes out and puts up 25 plus points on its own, I will be ecstatic but I am not counting on it. This is one game where if Seahawks win but the offense struggles, I am not going to be upset.