Seattle Seahawks injury report: Wild Card Round vs. 49ers
Ed Stein
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Welcome to the Seattle Seahawks 2022 postseason. PNWS has 12s covered with all you need to know for Saturday as the Seahawks travel to San Francisco for the Wild Card Round of the Playoffs.
Pacific Northwest Sports is here for Seattle Seahawks fans. We have all the facts and tidbits 12s need to know for Saturday’s game. This week, the Seahawks are in San Francisco for the NFC Wild Card Round.
Details
Who: Seattle Seahawks (9-8) at San Francisco 49ers (13-4).
Where: Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, California.
When: Saturday, January 14, 2023, 1:30 PM PST.
Weather: It’s been wet on the West Coast recently, and mother nature doesn’t take breaks for football. There is a better than 70% chance of rain during the game. Temperatures will be in the mid-50s, with a noticeable wind from the WSW around 10 mph (weather.com).
TV: FOX. Announcers: Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston, and Pam Oliver.
Line: Seahawks +9.5. Over/Under: 42 (oddshark.com).
Interesting Trends
In their last 19 games against San Francisco, the Seattle Seahawks are 15-4, including 7-2 at Levi’s Stadium. Seattle was 4-2 against the NFC west this season, but those two losses were against the Niners.
The Seahawks have only covered in 1 of their last 8, and the total has gone under in 4 of 5.
San Francisco is on a 10-game win streak, including 6 straight at home. The total went over in 5 of the last 6.
Seattle Seahawks Injuries
Out (IR) – SS Jamal Adams, CB John Reid (groin), Edge Tyreke Smith (hip), LS Tyler Ott (shoulder), Edge Alton Robinson (knee), LB Darryl Johnson (foot), Rashaad Penny (fibula), RB Cullen Gillaspia (knee), WR Dee Eskridge (hand), TE Will Dissly (knee), S Joey Blount (knee), RB Travis Homer (knee), WR Marquise Goodwin (shoulder/wrist), LB Jordyn Brooks (knee).
Questionable – TE Noah Fant (knee), RB Deejay Dallas (ankle/quad), G Phil Haynes (ankle), DL Shelby Harris (knee), CB Isaiah Dunn (hamstring).
Probable – S Ryan Neal (knee), RB Kenneth Walker (ankle), T Abraham Lucas (thigh), WR Tyler Lockett (hand).
San Francisco 49ers
Out (IR) – CB Jason Verrett, RB Elijah Mitchell, FS Jimmie Ward, DE Jordan Willis, WR Jordan Matthews, LB Curtis Robinson, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, QB Trey Lance, DL Maurice Hurst, CB Emmanuel Moseley, C Keith Ismael, DT Hassan Ridgeway.
Out (Game) – CB Ambry Thomas.
Questionable – DL Arik Armstead (foot/ankle), G Aaron Banks (ankle/knee).
Probable – Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (neck), DL Kevin Givens (knee), LB Dre Greenlaw (back), DT Javon Kinlaw (knee), RB Christian McCaffrey (knee).
By the Numbers
Seahawks offense vs. San Francisco defense
- Rushing yards per game Seahawks – 120.1 (18th) vs. Rushing yards against per game San Francisco – 77.7 (2nd).
- Passing yards per game Seahawks – 231.4 (12th) vs. Passing yards against per game San Francisco – 222.9 (20th).
- Total yards per game Seahawks – 351.5 (13th) vs. Total yards against per game San Francisco – 300.6 (1st).
- Points per game Seahawks – 23.9 (9th) vs. Points per game against San Francisco – 16.3 (1st).
- QB sacks allowed Seahawks – 46 (Tied-23rd) vs. QB sacks San Francisco – 44 (Tied-10th).
The last time Kenneth Walker faced San Francisco’s top-ranked run defense, he was coming off missed time due to injury and only picked up 47 yards on 12 carries. In the three games since then, he’s carried 78 times for 354 yards (4.54 YPC, 118.0 YPG).
Not only does San Francisco stop the run, but they also give up the fewest points per game. That’s not good for an inconsistent Seattle Seahawks offense.
Seahawks defense vs. San Francisco offense
- Rushing yards per game San Francisco – 138.8 (8th) vs. Rushing yards against per game Seahawks – 150.2 (30th).
- Passing yards per game San Francisco – 226.8 (13th) vs. Passing yards against per game Seahawks – 211.5 (13th).
- Total yards per game San Francisco – 361.5 (9th) vs. Total yards against per game Seahawks – 361.7 (26th).
- Points per game San Francisco – 26.5 (6th) vs. Points per game against Seahawks – 23 (25th).
- QB sacks allowed San Francisco – 31 (6th) vs. QB sacks Seahawks – 45 (Tied 7th-tied).
All seventh round pick Brock Purdy has done since becoming the Niners starting quarterback is win games. Last week he got his best offensive weapon, Deebo Samuel, back. That makes San Francisco even more dangerous.
Running back Christian McCaffrey reinvigorated Kyle Shanahan’s offense since coming to the Bay in a midseason trade. Seattle has traditionally struggled against tight end George Kittle. Ryan Neal’s return to the Seattle Seahawks secondary should help in coverage on both men.
Matchups to Watch
- Seahawks WRs D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett vs. San Francisco CBs Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir.
- San Francisco TE George Kittle vs. Seahawks S Quandre Diggs.
- Seahawks OT Charles Cross vs. San Francisco DE Nick Bosa.
- San Francisco RB Christian McCaffrey vs. Seahawks ILB Cody Barton.
- Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen vs. San Francisco WR Deebo Samuel.
3 Keys
This game comes down to 3 things. First, the Seattle Seahawks can’t commit turnovers. Smith hasn’t been as sharp lately, so he must be situationally aware and not force passes.
Second, pressuring the quarterback will be at a premium for both teams. This is an area where the Seahawks have picked it up over the last half-dozen games.
The last thing is controlling the clock. Seattle’s offense needs to sustain long drives. Too many three-and-outs will be disastrous.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard to beat the same team three times in a season. Also, the field at Levi’s Stadium will be wet. Saturday afternoon’s weather could be the great equalizer. In these conditions, the Seattle Seahawks, at the least, will cover 9.5 points.