San Francisco 49ers

49ers: What We Can Expect from Showdown with SeahawksÂ

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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This Week 3 matchup will be a showdown in the trenches for the 49ers and Seahawks.

A Quick Recap…

In Week 1, the 49ers took the stage for Monday Night Football. Coming out of the gates on fire, demoralizing the Los Angeles Rams in a shutout 28-0. For the Niners, it’s their first shutout since 2012 and a definitive start to the Chip Kelly era.

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However, the Niner faithful can’t help but remember last season starting the same way, with a Monday night victory over the Minnesota Vikings under the guidance of then first-year head coach Jim Tomsula. A lot can change from week to week.

And for the 49ers, it did.

In Week 2, the floodgates opened against the Carolina Panthers. The Niners defense gave up 46 points, which accounted for their first loss of the season 27-46. Apparently the San Francisco D didn’t wear the same armor it wore against the Rams.

But I suppose this was expected going against a Carolina team oozing with offensive weapons.

The takeaway for the 49ers: resilience. Fighting back late in the fourth quarter to come within a touchdown, keeping the game interesting before eventually giving up a last minute touchdown and field goal.

Now…

Here we are, standing on the precipice of Week 3 in a tied NFC west division. The Niners, Seahawks, Rams and Cardinals all share the same record of 1-1. I know it’s still early in the season, but this makes for an intriguing race. This week, the San Francisco 49ers take a trip up to the hostile home of the Seattle Seahawks.

But what can we expect from this Sunday’s showdown?

Last week, the Seahawks faced the LA Rams in a defensive chess match that resulted in a 9-3 loss for Seattle. ‘Ouch’ goes the Emerald City 12s, as they lost to a team that, a week before, was walloped by the 49ers. For the Seahawks, was this a case of bad dates and a Rams team desperate to find their first win? Or is there really a problem that can’t be remedied by Week 3?

In the past, Seattle’s MO was to pound the ball offensively and control the game defensively. But that requires a stout offensive line, which was nonexistent against the Rams.

The Seahawks offensive line gave up two sacks and eight hits on Sunday, leaving a bruised and battered Russell Wilson who is now in question to play this week at 100 percent against the 49ers.

Gazing upon the successful schematics of the past, teams who boast strong defensive and offensive fronts usually control the game.

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is pressured by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the 49ers and Seahawks both coming off a loss they know a win could spark the torch to light the way into a winning season, or at least give them bragging rights.

So, this Sunday when the Niners face-off against the Seattle Seahawks can we expect fireworks or Piccolo Pete’s?

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

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