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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tim Weaver

6 things to know going into Seahawks, 49ers rematch in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks will be on the road tomorrow facing the San Francisco 49ers for the second time this season. When they met a couple weeks ago in Seattle, they lost 31-13, having only won the third quarter.

Here are six things to know heading into the rematch on Sunday afternoon.

1
The Seahawks are in trouble

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

These are the bad times. If the Seahawks were to lose tomorrow’s game it will be the first four-game losing streak in the Pete Carroll era. They’ve already lost four of their last five, with their only win coming by a field goal against a terrible Commanders team. Seattle has also lost the last four matchups with San Francisco, getting outscored by a total of 120-56.

2
The 49ers are rolling

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

For a minute there it looked like these Niners might be vulnerable. They lost three straight games from Weeks 6-8 which coincided with an injury for left tackle Trent Williams. However, since they returned from their bye week they’re undefeated. First, San Francisco crushed the top-10 Jaguars by over 30 points, then they beat the feisty Buccaneers by two touchdowns, next they won in Seattle and then last week they went on the road and pounded the Eagles, who had previously been No. 1 in our power rankings. The 49ers are favored by over 10 points this week.

3
Geno Smith is questionable

(Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

Geno Smith is coming off an All-Pro worthy performance against the Cowboys. However, he’s now dealing with two injuries. Smith is still being bothered by the elbow injury he suffered when he got hit by Aaron Donald. Now, he’s also dealing with a groin injury that happened in practice this week. Smith is listed as questionable for Sunday. If he has to sit out, it will be his first DNP since he took over for Russell Wilson.

4
Drew Lock is the next man up

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

If Geno Smith is indeed ruled out, then the Seahawks will look to backup QB Drew Lock to make his first start for the team. Lock has a cannon for an arm and is more athletic in general than Smith, but his numbers in the NFL don’t inspire a whole lot of confidence. Lock previously started 21 games for the Denver Broncos, posting an 8-13 record. His career completion rate is 58.9% and he has thrown nearly as many interceptions (21) as touchdown passes (25). Lock has also fumbled 13 times.

5
Sean Mannion is the third option

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

If we do see Lock start instead of Smith, then the backup will be the newest member of the team. Former Rams quarterback Sean Mannion re-signed with the Seahawks yesterday, joining the practice squad as the third-string QB. Mannion previously played for Seattle in 2021 and started a couple preseason games. He’s 0-3 in three career starts.

6
Brock Purdy will probably win MVP

(Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

Dak Prescott is a more deserving candidate, but our money is on Brock Purdy winning league MVP right now. While we have to put a whole lot of asterisks next to his numbers thanks to the talent and playcalling he has to work with they are nonetheless impressive. Heading into Week 14 Purdy leads the league in completion rate (70.2%), touchdown rate (6.9%), yards per attempt (9.6), passer rating (116.1) and QBR (75.6). Over the last four games he’s thrown 11 touchdown passes to go with just one interception.

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