The Seattle Seahawks have been here before.
After starting the season 2-4, the team traveled to San Francisco to face the 49ers in a crucial contest. If the Hawks lost, they would have dropped to 2-5. Their season very well could have been over. Now a month later, Seattle will once again play the team’s old rivals.
While a month has passed, the current matchup with the Niners is still a must win. Should Seattle lose, the team would sit at 4-6. At this point, the Seahawks need to go on a run to put themselves back in the playoff picture. They can’t afford to keep losing, much less fall to 4-6.
While things haven’t changed much for the Seahawks in terms of facing the 49ers, a lot has changed for San Francisco. The away team could feature a completely different offense.
Blaine Gabbert is now the starting quarterback, having taken over for Colin Kaepernick. The former Jaguar completed 15 of 25 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the Niners’ 17-16 win versus the Atlanta Falcons. The new starting quarterback also chipped in with 32 rushing yards on eight carries.
Joining Gabbert in the backfield will be some combination of Shaun Draughn and Kendall Gaskins. The duo ran for a combined 78 yards on 23 carries against Atlanta. Draughn did most of the heavy lifting, accounting for 58 rushing yards on 16 carries while also catching four passes for 38 yards. Gaskins ran the ball seven times for 20 yards. The duo will continue to see carries while starter Carlos Hyde remains out. Hyde will miss the game due to a foot injury.
The 49ers could also be without lead receiver Anquan Boldin. The veteran was limited all week in practice and is listed as questionable because of a hamstring injury.
It will be worth watching how Seattle deals with a different set of offensive players. The defense will certainly be looking for a rebound performance after being torched by the Arizona Cardinals. Carson Palmer amassed 363 yards and three touchdowns while Andre Ellington and Chris Johnson combined for 117 rushing yards.
One player who will be looking to rebound is Marshawn Lynch. Should the running back play, he will face a favorable matchup against a defense that he torched for 122 yards in Week 7. ‘Beast Mode’ is currently listed as questionable with an abdomen injury.
Injury Report
Wide receiver Paul Richardson (hamstring) and outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (knee) have been ruled out. Running back Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) is listed as questionable. Tight end Luke Willson (toe), wide receiver Doug Baldwin (toe), tackle Russell Okung (toe/ankle), cornerback Cary Williams (hip), linebacker K.J. Wright (knee), defensive lineman Michael Bennett (non-injury related), Demarcus Dobbs (shoulder) and Cliff Avril (ankle) have all been listed as probable.