The 49ers play the Seahawks Sunday night in Seattle. In the meantime, I’ll break down the key matchups.
The Seahawks’ cornerbacks vs. Michael Crabtree
A year ago, Michael Crabtree beat Brandon Browner for a 41-yard fourth quarter catch to set up David Akers’ game winning field goal in Seattle.
If you take away that great catch, Michael Crabtree averages three receptions and 25 yards per game against the Seahawks in his career.
Back in Week 7, Browner and Richard Sherman held Crabtree to four catches for 31 yards.
Browner will not play in this game – he’s been suspended for using Adderall. Richard Sherman may not play either, he tested positive for Adderall use as well, and his appeal is Friday. If he loses the appeal, he will not play.
Crabtree does not match up well against Sherman. Sherman is big and strong and ties up Crabtree at the line of scrimmage.
But Sherman only plays one side of the field – the left side. Even if Sherman plays, the 49ers can line up Crabtree on other side or in the slot. He doesn’t have to face Sherman.
Crabtree can face backup cornerbacks. The Seahawks’ backups are Walter Thurmond III and Marcus Trufant. Both guys have injured hamstrings and did not play last week.
The Seahawks’ third-string cornerbacks are rookie sixth-round-picks Jeremy Lane and Byron Maxwell, who have played in just four NFL games total.
Crabtree should dominate Seattle’s backups and have his first big game against the Seahawks.
Advantage: 49ers
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Crabtree is hot right now! He’s finally living up his expectations! I actually think he’s got even more upside! He’s gonna have a good week, then he’ll have great playoffs too!
That’s where it’ll count big time, the playoffs. Had a great year last year and faded away during the postseason. But I think he will be fine, because hopefully last year awoke a new hunger in Crab
If this game is anything like the last one it will come down to the officials. If they allow Seattle to make illegal contact beyond the 5 yard barrier all night like last time we could be in trouble.
If they call the rule like it is written we will kill seattle at least on offense. Last time the seattle DB’s were allowed to mug the 9er receivers all night.
I bet harbaugh will be in the officials ears starting in warm ups and all thru the game.
EXACTLY. The Seattle corners remind me of how Green Bay played us at Candlestick in the playoffs that one year they beat us, and eventually lost to the Cowboys (Jan. 1996?). They basically murdered our receivers (Rice & Taylor) well beyond the 5 yard rule. Rice still ended up with a decent game but it was really astonishing to see the home team (us) not get any calls and get butchered in the process.
Are you referring to the “Adam Walker How Dare You Fumble” game?
In regards to the poll; I don’t mean to sound like I’m taking anything away from Crabtree but I think he’s benefiting more from the system then his own special set of skills. Vernon on the other hand brings physical traits to his position that are uncommon plus he’s one of the best blocking TE’s in the game. Crabtree is good but I don’t think he’d be considered the best at anything he does by anyone other then Harbaugh. VD draws all the extra coverage and schemes because he’s so potent and Crabtree has yet to garner that kind of respect from defenses.
Bottom line, it would be easier to replace MC then it is to replace VD.
Yes and No Coffee,
I voted for Davis because his blocking skills play a big part in the 49ers being such a good rushing team, and this is what makes the offense go. He is also a good weapon in the passing game, but I think his value in that aspect is a little over rated by some.
As for Crabtree, I don’t think he is that easy to replace. He has quietly become a top level wide receiver, and you don’t just plug those in. Add to that his blocking skills are top notch, go back and watch the Kaepernick TD run at the end of the Dolphin game and you will see Crabtree pushing the corner 20 yards down the field to help spring Kaep.
I was doing my best to make my case while trying to not bash on Crabs. I agree he’s matured into a fantastic receiver and probably still hasn’t hit his ceiling but at the same time I see a lot of slot receivers that can do the things he does and even a few that are better. You cant quite say that about Vernon or at least about as many as you can Crabtree.
Crabtree is good but Vernon is special. I wouldn’t try and make the argument that one is better then the other because they’re different but I think it’s harder to match what VD offers the team versus MC.
Coffee,
I could give you a list of TE’s that are better receiving threats than Davis. When it comes to that portion of his game he is a bit limited. What makes him special is his ability to do both well. I would argue that he is a better blocker than receiver.
And like I said, I selected Davis over Crabtree.
Since the hawks secondary is thin even if Sherman plays this week (60/40 likely imo), it may be up to guys other than Crabs to make some plays. Not sure Mario’s status, would love to see him back. AJJ may get matched up against a journeyman in multi sets, would be nice time to make a statement.
A little off this topic, but I bet LMJ would like to show up big in the Pacific Northwest.
Way off topic, but here is Pro Football Focus’s NFC Pro Bowl ballot:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/12/19/pro-bowl-roster-2012-nfc/
Spoiler alert
The following 49ers make the team:
Staley, Iupati, Boone, Miller, Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Willis, Bowman, Lee
Ha! Those fools put Staley in again?!? There are dozens of experts on here who know better!
(sarcasm alert)
@ Brotha:
No kidding. Don’t forget that Staley smiled/grimaced after the Rams’ defense scored against the 49ers, so he definitely needs to be traded or cut in the offseason.
There’s no smiling in football!
That still is the #1 lamest complaint I’ve seen all year on this blog, and there’s been some really bad ones.
Brotha,
I don’t disagree with you, but the probowl is more of a popularity contest than an indication someone is the best at their position.
@ Angus
True dat; and this list, in fairness, is way less than a ProBowl nod. Its ProFootballFocus’ Beauty Pageant.
I don’t think Seattle will be much of a contender. I don’t want to take anything away from what Wilson has done in Seattle at the QB position, but he really hasn’t done anything in the NFL.
In the Seattle blow out of AZ, Wilson had 148 yards 1 td 1 int and only completed 53.8 % of his passes. The team as a whole put up over 50 points.
His last matchup against SF he completed 39.1 % of his passes for 122 and an int. Against the Rams, he had 0 tds and 3 ints. He’s flourished against slow defenses. An injured Bears team, the Dolphins, the Patriots, the Panthers. Teams that hit you in the mouth have caused Wilson some major trouble. Stl, SF, and AZ.
I know the knee jerk reaction is to say the game is in Seattle. However, that same knee jerk reaction last week was that the game was in Foxboro in December against Belichick and Brady!
I didn’t see Kaepernick break the pocket to run much against NE. I expect the complete opposite against Seattle. SF by 17.
Wilson is a big threat.. The hawks held him back to let him get a feel for being on the field. His numbers sucked in the first 6 weeks and they rushed a lot. Now he is passing and running he is about to break manning’s rookie record. Crabtree will have a good game. But Wilson and the hawks at home are hot and it’s why 9ers need to worry. Seahawks beat the patriots too. But now 9ers have to deal with a true defense.
They’ll also have to deal with a real defense not named Buffalo or Arizona, no blowout this week.
On top of that they have the Niner offense to plan for, with CK at the helm giving them different looks than the first meeting. Either way should be a great matchup for Primetime.
Ha, Niners by 17? I expect a close game throughout….most people don’t realize how much Seattle limited Wilson’s playbook up until the Chicago game. They basically didn’t let him scramble and run the read option all year until a few weeks ago. Going to be a great game.
I see it as a close game. But my prediction for last week was Niners 27, Pats 26. Nailed it!
Matt,
I think Wilson has a good shot, and deservedly so, at rookie of the year, over RGIII and Luck. He’s playing at a very high level.
I think in regards to rookie of the year, Luck has the best chance to win it. To go to a team that didn’t win a game the year before and turn them into a playoff contender is by far the biggest leap.
In Seattle, they have weapons on both offense and defense. Washington is much the same. Indy though, has made the biggest improvement.
I also am not buying into the limited playbook excuse with Russell. He has yet to put up 300 yards. He’s had 6 games in which he put up more than 200 yards in the last 14. He had 205 against a horrible bills team. He torched Chicago after an Brian Urlacker injury. 188 against the Jets.
We’ll see though. I could be wrong, but I doubt that Wilson lights up our pass defense.
Matt,
I don’t think Wilson’s going to light us up either. If Seattle is successful on offense, I expect them to do it a la Minnesota Vikings style, as opposed to Tom Brady style.
Wilson’s had several games where he easily could have put up 300 yards, but just hasn’t needed to. You can’t be critical of his 205 yards against the Bills, for example. He ran, very easily, for a zillion yards and 3 tds as part of a 50 point laugher, and if he wanted, could probably have thrown for 400 yards without much trouble. He’s cursed with playing on a team with a strong running game and defense, so he doesn’t get to put up Carson Palmer (or Andrew Luck) numbers.
I don’t know, or care about any limited playbook business either. I look at performance, and he’s doing everything right.
I won’t quibble if RGIII or Luck gets it (and I agree, due to the turnaround, smart money is probably on Luck), but I’d be fine with Russell winning it too, and that’s who I’d probably vote for.