49ers offense sizzles while Seahawks’ Sam Darnold sputters: Week 17 film review (paywall) “The 49ers are still a two-back team, but they aren’t lining up in a typical I-formation with fullback Kyle Juszczyk
lining up behind Purdy. One of their most effective formations has been the flex with a tight end and Juszczyk lined up off the ball. When Juszczyk goes into motion, he can either keep going and lead block to the strong side, pull up and insert to the weak side or reverse field and lead on a toss to the weak-side perimeter. The 49ers have shown all this on film, so defenses must be ready for every possibility when he’s in motion.”
49ers’ Austen Pleasants, onetime pizza-delivery man, is improbably back in the game (paywall)
“The story: Not only has Pleasants worked for six teams, three of them twice, since he entered the NFL in 2020 as an undrafted free agent from Ohio University, he’s been forced to pick up other jobs. In 2021, during his first period of football unemployment, the physical education major was a teacher’s aide at Dawson-Bryant Middle School in his hometown of Coal Grove, Ohio, while also working at Giovanni’s Pizza, delivering the “Hawaiian” and “Pepperoni Pounder.”
49ers injury update: George Kittle ‘absolutely’ expects to play vs. Seahawks in Week 18
“”We obviously got to get through the week, but I’d be very surprised if George wasn’t out there,” Lynch said.”
49ers vs. Seahawks injury report: 2 players miss Wednesday’s practice
“Williams exited on the first offensive play against the Bears due to a hamstring injury and did not return. His status for Saturday remains uncertain. White is working through a groin injury sustained in the same game.”
Saleh, Kubiak, Purdy preview 49ers-Seahawks Week 18 matchup
“After the game on Sunday, DB Deommodore Lenoir said he wanted to shadow Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. A couple of years ago, Indianapolis Colts CB Charvarius Ward did that here. What are the strengths and weaknesses, the positives and negatives of doing something like that from a schematic standpoint?
“That’s a good question. All right. We can go long on this one, but the reality is it’s easy for the guy who travels, right? I got that guy. I’m going to travel wherever I want. But, we’re a zone-based defense, right? So, if it was man coverage, easy for him, but then it is a little bit more difficult for the other guys. Like, how does everybody else align? Do you go match where everyone just picks a number? What if that number’s not on the field? Do you pick a different number? Or is it, alright, we’re all going to align off of DMo? And what if DMo’s in the slot? Does that put the nickel out on number one where he’s not used to being? So, techniques change within your man principles because now you’re in different locations. Alright, now put yourself in zone. You’re trying to match up where he is and you’re matching up now DMo’s in the slot. Does that mean [CB] Upton’s [Stout] now playing corner third, which he hasn’t done all year? And so, there are a lot of new techniques that you’re going to ask a guy to do. It’s very expensive, not for the guy traveling, but for the guys not traveling, if that makes sense. Now, can it be done? Of course it can be done. Do we have it in our inventory? Absolutely. Can we? Maybe. So, we’ll see.”
