We move into Week 4, where the San Francisco 49ers will face their rival Seattle Seahawks. It’s the first time the Niners will hit the highway in three games.
It’ll also be the first time the 49ers are underdogs in a game since Week 1. San Francisco is a 3-point underdog in Week 4 on FanDuel Sportsbook, with the total set at 47.5. That’s a relatively high total, considering how the 49ers offense fared in the final two matchups against Seattle last season.
But there are some differences. George Kittle
didn’t play in the Divisional round. Trent Williams didn’t suit up in the final regular-season game. Mike Evans wasn’t on the team.
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Over four weeks last year, the 49ers offense was 22nd in EPA per play at -0.04, but fourth in success rate at 47.2. Through four games this season, the Niners lead the league in EPA per play at 0.25, with a league-leading 53.1% success rate.
A dominant defense is difficult to sustain year over year. Look no further than the Houston Texans. Mike MacDonald has bucked that trend so far this season.
Seattle was historically good at stopping the run last season. Their defense is still elite, ranking second in EPA per play and success rate. They’re tied for a league-high six interceptions and have allowed the second-fewest yards before contact.
The final score for the 49ers over the Broncos was not indicative of how the game went. It was 3-3 late in the third quarter, and Brock Purdy had about 100 passing yards.
On the flip side, the Seahawks won 30-23, but the score was 27-6 midway through the third quarter. The Chargers had nine possessions and had turned it over twice without scoring a touchdown up until that point.
Brock Purdy isn’t Justin Herbert, and Kyle Shanahan isn’t Mike McDaniel. Familiarity will play a factor, but Shanahan joked last Super Bowl that you shouldn’t interview him about Seattle after his offenses failed to find the end zone.
Will this time be any different? Let us know below in the comments.
