The Seattle Seahawks are hanging tightly onto any hope that they have for a salvageable season. The season opened with optimism as the Seahawks started off hot at 3-0. However, every bit of the team has taken a decline and they have gone 1-5 since. This week Seattle is set to travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers in their second matchup against each other this season with Seattle losing the first round 36-24 at home.
This week has major implications for both teams’ playoff hopes. It’s the Seahawks’ last chance to get their season back on track and potentially sneak into the playoffs while the 49ers look to remain in contention for the NFC West division. The 49ers lost to the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams earlier this season, so they are fighting to take the top of the NFC West back.
Lucky for them, they were able to keep their season’s hopes alive last week with a 23-20 last-second field goal win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Seahawks Cannot Afford Loss to 49ers in Week 11
Week 11 Loss Could Mean Early End for Seahawks’ Playoff Hopes
The Seahawks’ season is over if they lose to the 49ers in Week 11. They will be down 0-3 in the division and remain in last place in the NFC West at 4-6. However, with Seattle coming off of a Week 10 bye, they give themselves a chance to win. Head coach Mike Macdonald has taken advantage of the bye week to make necessary adjustments to the scheme. While the decision to trade away starting linebacker Tyrel Dodson remains questionable, Macdonald has acknowledged the importance of giving young players a chance. Dodson was the team’s leading tackler but Macdonald was unsatisfied with his 26th-ranked run defense and needed to make a change.
For the 49ers, they will be facing a whole new Seahawks linebacker unit, as linebackers Jerome Baker and Dodson are no longer with the team. Rookie Tyrice Knight will look to get his first start next to the recently acquired Ernest Jones IV.
The 49ers will also have a new player on the field as running back Christian McCaffrey returned last week from an Achilles injury.
The Seahawks offense could also see some scheme changes according to former NFL quarterback Brock Huard. Seattle was utilizing the shotgun formation 80.4% of the time in the first half of the season, the fourth-highest rate in the league. Against the 49ers, Seattle could instead move to under-center, which opens up the playbook more for both the run game and passing game.
Another positive for Seattle’s offense is that they will have back their starting right tackle Abraham Lucas after activating him from the PUP list. The right side of the offensive line has performed awful this season so getting Lucas back could be major for the Seahawks.
Seahawks Remaining Schedule Daunting
The Seahawks face the defending Super Bowl runners-up in the 49ers in Week 11. They face three other teams that would be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today, including two matchups against the red-hot Arizona Cardinals.
- Nov. 17 at San Francisco 49ers
- Nov. 24 vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Dec. 1 at New York Jets
- Dec. 8 at Arizona Cardinals
- Dec. 15 vs Green Bay Packers
- Dec. 22 vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Dec. 26 at Chicago Bears
- Jan. 5 at Los Angeles Rams
Hopefully, Coach Macdonald and his team can make the crucial adjustments needed to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Main Photo: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
The post Why Seahawks Cannot Afford Loss to NFC West Rival 49ers in Week 11 appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.