49ers-Seahawks roundtable: Can the Niners overcome their NFC West nemesis in Seattle?

The 4-0 49ers face their biggest early season test, going to Seattle to play the defending Super Bowl-champion Seahawks (3-1). The last two times these teams played each other, the Seahawks beat the Niners 13-3 to conclude the regular season, then crushed them 41-6 in the playoffs. With that ominous recent history, we asked columnist Ann Killion and 49ers reporters Eric Branch and Harrison Rich for their thoughts heading into the contest.

What’s been the biggest surprise about the 49ers through the first four weeks? What’s the biggest unanswered question?

Harrison Rich: The work Raheem Morris has done with the 49ers’ defense is my biggest early surprise. I never envisioned his unit allowing just seven points to the Rams in Australia and 14 to the Broncos. The Cardinals putting up 30 points was a bit of a shocker, but it appears they’ve got a fun little offense. Morris has done more with less as bodies rotate in and out along the defensive line. With Mykel Williams returning this week – and presumably Nick Bosa down the road – all Morris’ group has to do is remain league average, and the offense will do the rest. The biggest unanswered question is the same as ever: Will the 49ers’ stars stay healthy?

Ann Killion:

The biggest single surprise (aside from the inanity of the NFL fining Kyle Juszczyk for his celebration) is George Kittle‘s speed. I didn’t expect him to be back at full strength at this point, let alone looking faster than he’s ever been. But the biggest general surprise is that the 49ers continue to thrive and win despite their usual disturbing rash of injuries. The biggest question is can they sustain that momentum as the season progresses and the injuries, as they tend to, continue to mount?

Eric Branch: Kyle Shanahan just might follow through on his annual preseason pledge to limit 30-year-old Christian McCaffrey‘s workload. After McCaffrey had an NFL-high 413 touches last season, he’s on pace for 281 this season. In Week 3, during a second-half stretch against the Cardinals, McCaffrey had runs of 14, 10, 9 and 12 yards. Fresh legs? The biggest unanswered question: Can all the older All-Pros stay healthy? Trent Williams, Mike Evans, Kittle, Deebo Samuel and McCaffrey (average age: 32.8) have had perfect attendance.

The Seahawks lead the NFL in pass defense. Is this the week the 49ers’ injuries at WR catch up to them?

Rich: Mike Macdonald-led defenses tend to give Brock Purdy nightmares. He’s had three solid performances through the years. The other three games – two against the Seahawks, one against the Ravens when Macdonald was their defensive coordinator – are some of the worst of Purdy’s career. To be fair, Purdy did not always have a healthy Kittle in those games, and he never had Evans or an offensive line playing at this level. Maybe those factors will be the difference this time around.

Killion: The Seahawks definitely had Purdy’s number last season. Seattle was responsible for six of 14 times Purdy was sacked and four of his 13 interceptions. The Seahawks remain a ferocious defense and their secondary is stellar; this could be another long day for Purdy. Evans went from limited participation to no participation during practice this week, which isn’t a good sign. The receivers paid a visit to the Golden State Valkyries’ playoff game on Wednesday night and will be trying to tap into those good, beat-the-reigning-champions vibes on Sunday.

Branch: Not having unproven rookie De’Zhaun Stribling and No. 4 wideout Demarcus Robinson doesn’t help, but they’re not needle movers. The 49ers’ biggest problem is that the Seahawks secondary is excellent. There’s $132 million cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Freakish nickel back/safety/linebacker/pass rusher Nick Emmanwori. And Pro Bowl safety Julian Love. It’s a personnel problem. The 49ers’ top pass catchers – Evans, Kittle and Samuel – aren’t shabby. Seattle’s defensive backs are younger and better.

The 49ers’ defense has prevented big chunk plays and scoring. Will Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba change that?

Rich: Smith-Njigba is on a tear to start the season, leading all wideouts in receiving touchdowns and ranking third in yards. He has a reception of at least 26 yards in every game. He had a 45-yard touchdown against the Patriots and an 82-yarder against the Cardinals. It’s going to be hard for cornerback Deommodore Lenoir – who Morris said likely won’t shadow JSN, but will guard him a bunch – to keep the superstar in check all afternoon. If the 49ers do, though, they could walk out of Lumen Field with a victory.

Killion: The Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, is in Kansas City and the 49ers will likely have to deal with him in Week 16. But Seattle has other very dangerous weapons. Smith-Njiba is among the league leaders in almost every receiving category. The 49ers’ defenders will have their hands full and will be hoping to force Sam Darnold into his self-destructive tendencies.

Branch:

The Seahawks are more one-dimensional on offense after losing Walker in free agency, which could allow the 49ers to pay even more attention to Smith-Njigba. The 49ers may be willing to see if Emanuel Wilson (he’ll be Seattle’s starting RB) can beat them instead. Of course, it’s not quite that simple. Smith-Njigba didn’t just start attracting extra defensive attention; he has 151 catches for 2,274 yards and 16 touchdowns in his past 21 games.

Do the 49ers come out of this game 5-0, or take their first loss?

Rich: After picking losses against the Rams and Broncos, I am going to … try this thing again. The 49ers have to lose eventually, right? These players will have lots of motivation after last season, but that doesn’t mean they have the better football team. However, it is only October. The Seahawks might not want to put their best stuff on tape. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Niners win this – like they did in Week 1 last season – but I’ll bet against it. Seahawks 30, 49ers 27.

Killion: The 49ers are not going to go 17-0, despite the hot start and some fans’ belief. Last January – as well as his work as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator – has convinced me that Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald is the most difficult matchup for Shanahan’s brain. Lumen Field is back to its old deafening, stadium-shaking ways and will be a tough place to play for a team that’s been basking at home the past three weeks. Seahawks 31, 49ers 20.

Branch: I picked the 49ers to lose to the Cardinals in Week 3; I’m ashamed. I picked the 49ers to lose to the Broncos in Week 4; I’m slightly less ashamed. I’m now picking the 49ers to lose to the Seahawks; I’ll become a believer if I go 0-3 after they start 5-0. I think the 49ers, proud and wounded after last season’s beatdowns, could bring more juice than the defending Super Bowl champs. But January wasn’t that long ago. It’s hard to get those last two meetings out of my head. Seahawks 27, 49ers 16.

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This article originally published at 49ers-Seahawks roundtable: Can the Niners overcome their NFC West nemesis in Seattle?.