The Seattle Seahawks’ Week 5 showdown against the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers will be perhaps the team’s biggest test of the year, and many interesting storylines and factors are expected to dictate the course of the game.
With San Francisco on a roll to begin the year behind MVP candidate Brock Purdy and a talent-filled roster on both offense and defense, and the Seahawks looking like they’re ready to win the Super Bowl again this season but dealing with injured stars and players returning to the lineup, there will be many things to look out for in the upcoming game.
Here are three things to watch for in the Seahawks’ matchup against the 49ers on Sunday.
Christian McCaffrey vs. Seahawks’ elite defensive front
Christian McCaffrey remains the 49ers’ most versatile offensive weapon. He has 218 rushing
yards and four touchdowns on 50 carries, along with 16 catches for 122 yards on the season. Seattle must prevent short gains from becoming drive-extending plays and limit his involvement as a receiver.
Prediction: The Seahawks will hold McCaffrey to below 60 rushing yards and 100 total yards from scrimmage, forcing San Francisco to rely more heavily on its passing attack. McCaffrey has only recorded 60 or more rushing yards in two of the four games that he has played this season, with his highest total being 75 yards in Week 3. The superstar running back also has a season-high of 43 receiving yards.
Will Brock Purdy’s MVP-caliber start to the season continue?
Brock Purdy has completed 79 of 113 attempts for 1,007 yards, an NFL-leading 11 touchdowns and one interception with a 69.9 percent completion rate. Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Nick Emmanwori, Julian Love and the returning Ty Okada will have difficult coverage assignments against San Francisco’s talented receiving corps.
All eyes will be on Purdy, and how he will perform against perhaps the best defense in the NFL. His play will largely dictate how the game goes.
Injuries
Leonard Williams’ ankle, Ernest Jones IV’s status and Ty Okada’s return from a hamstring injury will be crucial for Seattle’s defense. San Francisco wide receiver Mike Evans is also an important player to monitor, as his availability may reshape the 49ers’ passing-game approach to a degree. Those four impact players will all be major variables in the game to come.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: 3 things to watch for in Seahawks’ Week 5 matchup vs. 49ers
