Why Shanahan expects a different Seahawks team in the Week 14 rematch

admin | December 10, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The rematch against the NFC West division rival Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday will not be easy.

As if there was ever a match between the two teams.

The 49ers will look to complete the season sweep of Seattle for the second consecutive year with a win on Sunday after a convincing Thanksgiving Day victory over the Seahawks in Week 12.

On the latest episode of NBC Sports Bay Area’s “49ers Game Plan,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if San Francisco’s matchup with the Seahawks just two weeks ago and the familiarity will make preparation for Sunday’s game any easier.

“Even if it was six games difference, they don’t change much and neither do we,” Shanahan was quoted as saying by Papa. “We both recognize each other, especially at this time of year.” Even after many years. They know what we like, and we know what they like. It’s going to be a fight. I mistook the previous game for a battle. I know it didn’t end up that way, but it did. It was close, especially at the end of the third quarter, but we were able to pull away in the fourth quarter with a one-score lead.

“But I know their backs are against the wall these last two weeks, and I know how badly they want this win and how badly we need this win.” I expect it to be a playoff atmosphere with two teams going at it.”

Shanahan and the 49ers will try to contain one of the Seahawks’ key offensive weapons, who was inactive in the previous game.

“The biggest challenge is they’re probably going to get (Kenneth Walker III) back who is a hell of a running back and we have to make sure he doesn’t get a big one because he can lull you to sleep,” he said. “You feel like you’re doing very well against the run vs. him, and then he does a couple jump-cuts, couple side-steps, and you whiff, and he’s got the ability to go to the house.” He’s one of the league’s more dynamic players, and we didn’t have to face him last time, so we’ll have to make sure he doesn’t get a big one.

“And the same things we did the last time.” D.K. [Metcalf] is a constant threat to score, as evidenced by his performance against Dallas. And we have to make certain that he doesn’t get a big one like we did the last time. When you can take that step away, it’s usually just a matter of time before we can frustrate Geno [Smith].”

With a win over the Seahawks and some additional help from around the league in Week 14, the 49ers have a chance to punch their ticket to the playoffs, while the Seahawks look to stay in the playoff race altogether. We can expect another exciting battle between the two division rivals on Sunday, with a lot on the line for both teams.