When the Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium last year, they humiliated the team that calls that stadium home in back-to-back games: the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle thoroughly dismantled their hated rival 54-9 and didn't allow a single touchdown in either Week 18 or the Divisional Round of the NFC Playoffs.
The Niners are well known to the 12th Man, obviously, but this is a new year. San Francisco is 4-0 and itching for revenge in the worst way possible. I spoke with my friend and colleague, Kyle Madson of Niners Wire, to get a better idea of what the Seahawks are in store for this weekend. Once again, let us at Seahawks Wire take you on yet another journey... behind enemy lines! Our questions, and Kyle's answers, are below.
No. 1 - What has fueled San Francisco's hot start this year?
Their schedule has definitely helped, but it's hard to answer this without first pointing to QB Brock Purdy. He's been really good this season and has helped them overcome some injuries on offense as well as some of their defensive issues. He still has to clear the Seahawks hurdle, but their 4-0 start has come in large part because of Purdy's ability to operate the 49ers’ offense at a high level, not take a sack, and not turn the ball over. He's done that only once. We can also point to the offensive line. That group has been very good and as a result the 49ers run game has improved dramatically from last season. Combine all that with red zone success on both sides of the ball and it's a recipe for winning.
No. 2 - What are the Niners doing this year that's working that didn't last season?
Well, they're a bit healthier. Their improved offensive line has helped a lot, and having linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw back in the second level has given them some defensive pop they missed with Greenlaw gone and Warner hurt a season ago. Purdy is also better than he was last season, but we covered that.
No. 3 - How do you think the Niners will attack the Seahawks this time compared to the two brutal losses to end 2025?
No idea. I'm assuming they'll try a lot of quick game and misdirection stuff early just to try and slow the Seahawks pass rush. If they can do that and give Purdy some time to operate they may be able to pick up some first downs or even score a touchdown! Defensively I'd anticipate some more blitzing to try and force Sam Darnold into a mistake or two.
No. 4 - What position do you think SF has an edge over Seattle? And vise versa?
San Francisco may be able to exploit an advantage with defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa against Seattle’s interior offensive line. Odighizuwa has been a force this season and the 49ers will get former first-round pick Mykel Williams back this week which should help their pass rush.
In the other direction there's a clear advantage for Seattle on the defensive line. That group is very good and while the 49ers offensive line has been strong this season they've yet to face a group as deep and talented as Seattle’s. I’m betting Purdy takes his first sack of the season in Week 5.
No. 5 - Who wins and why?
I think this one will be closer than the last two. It’s probably a coin flip type of game, and in that sort of contest I lean toward the home team with the better defense. My guess is Sunday comes down to one or two mistakes and I'd anticipate Seattle forcing the 49ers into those before I’d anticipate it happening the other direction. The Seahawks are just a tough matchup for San Francisco and the odds the 49ers exorcise this demon at Lumen Field seem slim. Seahawks 24, 49ers 20
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: 5 things to know about the San Francisco 49ers
