Category: San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Things only get tougher for San Francisco as they head to New Orleans

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The Green Bay Packers running back Tyler Ervin (32) gets caught from behind in mid air by San Francisco 49ers free safety Jimmie Ward (20) during the first half of Thursday Night Football at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News Photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 With so many injuries and as predicted the 49ers struggled throughout last Thursday Night Football in Santa Clara against the Green Bay Packers.

#2 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 291 yards and one touchdown and one interception and struggled to get the 49ers any scoring in the second and third quarters where they were shutout in those frames.

#3 Jeremiah, one season brings a whole different change as the 49ers beat the Packers twice with a combined total score of 74-28 but this year with the injuries the 49ers who trailed by most of the game with only a field goal until the fourth quarter looked to have a long season ahead of them.

#4 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he knew this game was going to be a challenge and losing three players to Covid on Wednesday only impacted things going into Thursday Night Football.

#5 The 49ers have even a tougher challenge with the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome this Sunday. The Saints are expected to be a tough customer this Sunday as they have won four straight and have home field.

Join Jeremiah for the 49ers podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: From the start the 49ers didn’t even have a chance against Green Bay

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) throws against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half on Thursday Night Football Nov 5th at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara (mercurynews.com photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe in Thursday Night Football the San Francisco 49ers looked like they didn’t even have any skin in that game a 34-17 loss to Green Bay on both sides of the ball?

#2 The 49ers defense struggled they couldn’t stop Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers who looked like he had all night to throw and that first half showed he was in control.

#3 After three quarters Rogers already had four touchdowns thrown there was little the defense could do to stop Rogers and the Packers from converting in the air like they did.

#4 The 49ers Nick Mullens struggled all night and didn’t get a touchdown pass until the fourth quarter and was looking for a receiver in the first three quarters and had a tough time trying to convert a touchdown even when they got in the red zone.

#5 The 49ers go back to the drawing board and prepare to face the New Orleans Saints (5-2) and Drew Brees has been leading the team well the offense has been getting scores will the 49ers struggle again as they face the Saints in New Orleans Sun Nov 15th?

Join Joe for the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aaron Rodgers throws 4 TDs in Packers’ 34-17 crushing of the 49ers

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The Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers (center) gets a huge congratulations from wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, bottom left, after throwing a second half touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football Nov 5th at Levis Stadium Santa Clara (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif — The Green Bay Packers came to Levi’s Stadium last season and were defeated handily, including a 17-point loss in the NFC Championship Game in January.

Things were totally different this time around, as the Packers came into an empty Levi’s Stadium and defeated the injury-plagued 49ers 34-17 Thursday night in front a nationally televised audience.

The loss drops San Francisco to 1-4 at home this season.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers dissected the 49ers, completing 26 of 31 passes for 305 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions with a passer rating of 147.2 in the game.

Rodgers put the Packers up 7-0 on their opening drive of the game with a beautiful 36-yard touchdown to wide receiver Davante Adams’ back-shoulder down the left sideline beating 49ers cornerback Emmaunel Moseley. The score capped off a six-play, 75-yard drive for the Packers, who are the only team this season to score on all of their opening possessions.

Adams finished with 10 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown.

Following a 22-yard Robbie Gould field goal to cut Green Bay’s lead to 7-3, Rodgers added his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard toss to a wide open Marcedes Lewis to push the Packers lead to 14-3 midway through the second quarter. The tight end was left uncovered in the end zone by a 49ers defense that had trouble applying pressure to Rodgers.

With the 49ers at midfield on the ensuing drive, quarterback Nick Mullens throws a terrible pass in the flat intended for running back Jerick McKinnon that was intercepted by safety Raven Black. Black’s interception would setup Rodgers’ third touchdown in the first half, a 52-yard bomb to a streaking Marquez Valdes-Scantling down the middle of the field putting the Packers up 21-3 shortly before halftime. Valdes-Scantling was able to race by safety Marcel Harris and Rodgers dropped the football in his lap.

In the second half Rodgers would pick up where he left off, connecting with Valdes-Scantling again on a 1-yard score to put the Packers ahead comfortably 28-3. It was Rodgers’ fourth score of the game and Valdes-Scantling’s second touchdown on the night.

Rodgers would retreat to the bench in the fourth quarter with the Packers comfortably ahead, 34-3 and replaced by rookie Jordan Love.

Running back Aaron Jones, who was questionable coming into to the game with a calf issue, rushed for 58 yards on 15 carries and hauled in five catches for 21 yards.

For Mullens and the 49ers (4-5): they got sledgehammered by a better team and quarterback tonight.

Green Bay took advantage of a depleted 49ers squad that was playing without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tight end George Kittle, running back Raheem Mostert, wide receivers Deebo Samuel, rookie Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne, left tackle Trent Williams, cornerback Richard Sherman, and defensive ends Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas among others.

Mullens, who also lost a fumble, completed 22 of 35 for 291 yards and a touchdown in his first start for San Francisco since Week 4’s 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Aside from the two turnovers by Mullens, he connected with wide receiver Richie James for a 41-yard touchdown down the right sideline to make the score 34-10 with five minutes left in the game.

James took full advantage of the 49ers’ shortage of wide receivers, posting nine catches for 184 yards and a touchdown. It was the most yards for James in either of his first two seasons in the league (130 yards in 2018, 165 yards in 2019).

After allowing Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook to rumble for 163 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries, Green Bay held San Francisco to just 55 yards on the ground. McKinnon led the 49ers with 52 yards on 11 carries and a late touchdown.

Defensively for San Francisco, it was the second-straight week surrendering 30+ points and four touchdown passes in a game.

The NFL’s sixth-ranked defense allowed 405 yards of total offense to Rodgers and the Packers after allowing 350 yards to the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson in Week 8’s 37-27 loss.

And it doesn’t get any easier as they will face future Hall of Famer in Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans in Week 10 on Nov. 15.

Middle linebacker Fred Warner led the 49ers with a 13 tackles, while fellow linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Jaquiski Tartt finished with seven tackles each. Tartt left the game shortly before halftime with a foot injury. Although he was listed as questionable to return to the game, Tartt was ruled out in the third quarter.

Tartt was in his first game back after missing the last three games with a groin injury.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Covid case hits 49ers practice facility game on Thursday could be postponed

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) who was sacked on this play by the Seattle Seahawks Bobby Wagner in the first half at Centurylink Field in Seattle on Sun Oct 25, 2020 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

#1 Dave how difficult does it get for the 49ers now that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is out for six weeks with a reinjured high ankle sprain and tight end George Kittle out eight weeks with a fractured foot injury.

#2 The 49ers last game in Seattle saw the Seahawks get 24 points in the second half as the 49ers tried to rally from behind with 20 points falling short in the fourth quarter.

#3 The 49ers have that short turnaround after playing in Seattle on Sunday and now they host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football but with the injuries the 49ers have it could be another long night for them.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcast each Wednesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.

San Francisco 49ers week 9 preview: Will Garoppolo and Kittle injuries put Niners behind eight ball for Thursday Night Football?

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) who gets away from the New England Patriots defensive back JC Jackson (27) on Sun Oct 25, 2020 in New England will be out a reported eight weeks due to a fractured foot (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The San Francisco 49ers season feels about over. Since the game on Sunday, a lot has changed for the 49ers. First, let’s talk about the loss on Sunday. The 49ers held their own most of the game against the Seattle Seahawks, their division rival. However, in the end, my prediction didn’t come true. The 49ers lost to the Seahawks by a final of 37-27 but felt like 37-14.

In the loss, injuries befell the 49ers once again. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo left the game early in the loss suffering more discomfort in his ankle. The team is calling it a high ankle sprain and Jimmy will seek multiple opinions.

Also going down for the 49ers once again is star tight end, George Kittle. George, it was revealed after the game, has a small break in his foot and will miss extended time. Most likely this will mark the end of the season for Kittle as well as Jimmy Garoppolo, but it is more likely Jimmy returns this season than George.

The 49ers also made a move on Monday trading LB Kwon Alexander to the New Orleans Saints for LB Kiko Alonso and a 2021 5th round pick.

It has been a rough year for 49ers fans after losing a heart wrenching super bowl to now the season realistically being over for the team.

This week the task doesn’t get any easier for the 49ers as they face the Green Bay Packers. The Packers look ready to the 49ers below .500 again as Nick Mullens looks to kindle some resurgence from the battered 49ers squad. Look for star quarterback to come out early against the 49ers as he will try to put them away early.

The 49ers play on Thursday Night Football at 5:20 PST on Thursday night.

Sources: San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, TE George Kittle out indefinitely with injuries

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Photo credit: nfl.com

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif — It seems like after every game this season, the San Francisco 49ers lose players to injuries. On Monday, the 49ers were hit with two-punch combo as starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle will miss multiple weeks with injuries a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

For Garoppolo, he aggravated his high right ankle sprain during San Francisco’s 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and is expected to be sidelined for six weeks or longer if the ankle requires surgery is the source told Schefter.

Garoppolo played poorly against Seattle, completing 11 of 16 passes for 84 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before leaving the game in the second half with San Francisco trailing 30-7. He was replaced by backup quarterback Nick Mullens, who finished the game completing 18 of 25 passes for 238 yards with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 128.4. With Garoppolo out for the foreseeable future, Mullens will return back to the starting lineup, a role he held when Garoppolo missed two games earlier his season with the same injury.

Mullens told reporters Sunday that he would be prepared to step in for Garoppolo if needed.

“Anytime you can get out there and bounce back from from my last start, it’s definitely going to create some confidence,” Mullens said. “The biggest thing I’ve learned just going through it all is that the NFL is tough. It’s all about what you do next. That’s why I tell myself pretty much every day, ‘It’s all about you do next.’ No matter if its good or bad, it’s all about what you do next.”

C.J. Beathard will serve as Mullens’ backup when the 49ers (4-4) host the Green Bay Packers (5-2) this Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers were optimistic that Kittle’s foot injury wasn’t serious after initial testing, but further evaluation revealed a broken bone that will sideline the All-Pro tight end eight weeks, a source said. With the 49ers at 4-4 and eight weeks left in the season, Kittle’s season is likely over.

Kittle’s injury happened two minutes after Garoppolo limped back to the locker room after he leaped to bring in a 25-yard pass from Mullens. Kittle hauled in the catch, but landed awkwardly and limped to the sideline immediately. A short time later, Kittle headed to the locker room.

Kittle, who signed a five-year $75 million contract extension during training camp, missed two games this season with MCL sprain in his left knee he suffered in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Backup tight end Ross Dwelley is expected to take Kittle’s place in the lineup. Dwelley caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Mullens against the Seahawks, but the 49ers are hopeful that tight end Jordan Reed can return soon to help replace Kittle’s production. Reed has been out of action since Week 3 with a sprained knee.

The loss of Kittle is huge. Not only is he the team’s best offensive player, but vital to the 49ers’ running game. Without Kittle, San Francisco’s offense will be severely hindered.

Entering Sunday’s game, the 49ers had the highest salary cap value of players on injured reserve this season at $54.2 million according to Spotrac. With Garoppolo and Kittle likely heading to IR and join the likes of defensive end Nick Bosa (torn ACL), running back Raheem Mostert (high ankle sprain), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (strained hamstring) and cornerback Richard Sherman (strained calf), that value will increase.

In eight games this year, San Francisco has three different leading passers, four different leading rushers and for different leading receivers.

The 49ers lose to the Seahawks, 37-27, in Seattle as injuries continue to mount for San Francisco

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DK Metcalf (44) of the Seattle Seahawks sees lots of daylight on this 46 yard carry in the first quarter as the San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Mosley (41) gives chase at Centuylink Field in Seattle on Sun Nov 1st (seattletimes.com photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

If the San Francisco 49ers had any aspirations of winning back-to-back division titles, those dreams were dashed as the Seattle Seahawks showed why they are the best team in the NFC West with a 37-27 victory in Week 8 at an empty CenturyLink Field on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, the Seahawks improve to 6-1 on the year and remain atop of the NFC West standings and keep the 49ers in the basement with a 4-4 record.

Injuries continue to snake decimate the 49ers, who saw starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and all-world tight end George Kittle leave the game late in the fourth quarter with ankle and foot injuries. Both players’ status for Thursday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium is uncertain according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Both Garoppolo and Kittle are expected to undergo further treatment on Monday.

The injuries occurred within minutes of each other early in the fourth quarter and both players retreated to the locker room for further examination. Both were listed as questionable to return to the game, but neither saw the field again for the 49ers.

When you watched Garoppolo against Seattle, he just didn’t play well. Garoppolo had trouble getting the football out of his hands quickly amid constant pressure from the Seahawks. He struggled to find the NFL’s best tight end in Kittle, who had just one catch for 14 yards as Seattle built a 27-7 lead.

For the game, Kittle finished with just two catches for 39 yards.

Garoppolo completed 11 of 16 passes for just 84 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before exiting the game in the second half with the same aggravated ankle injury that kept him out for two games. He was replaced by backup Nick Mullens.

Mullens seemed comfortable coming into the game, leading the 49ers on three touchdown drives after San Francisco was trailing 30-7. On his first drive, Mullens engineered an 11-play, 79-yard drive that was capped off by Jerick McKinnon’s 1-yard touchdown run to cut Seattle’s lead to 30-14.

On the 49ers’ next possession, Mullens finished off a six-play, 80-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown toss to backup tight end Ross Dwelley to bring the score to 30-20. The 49ers decided to go for two to make it a one-score game, but couldn’t convert the two-point conversion.

Seattle put the game away after rookie running back DeeJay Dallas’ 1-yard touchdown run put the Seahawks up 37-20 with 3:33 left in the game.

San Francisco added a three-yard score from Mullens to rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to make the score 37-27 with 1:52 left in the game. Aiyuk finished tied with fellow wide receiver Kendrick Bourne with eight catches for 91 yards. Bourne registered 81 yards in the contest.

Too little, too late for the 49ers.

The real story of the game was the performances of quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver DK Metcalf.

Following an uncharacteristic game in which he threw three interceptions in a 37-34 loss in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 on the road, Wilson bounced back in major way completing 27 of 37 passes for 261 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Wilson, who is a heavy favorite to win the Most Valuable Player award this year, leads the NFL with 26 touchdown passes through eight weeks.

The 49ers had no answer for Metcalf the entire game.

Metcalf gave Seattle a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a 46-yard touchdown catch-and-run where he went nearly untouched by San Francisco’s fifth ranked defense.

Following rookie running back JaMychal Hasty’s first-career rushing touchdown to put the 49ers up 7-6, Metcalf added his second score of the day from two-yards out to extend Seattle’s lead to 13-7.

Metcalf bounced back in Week 8 after having just two catches for 23 yards against the Cardinals, Metcalf had himself a career-day against the 49ers. The second-year wide receiver set career-highs in catches (12) and yards (161) to go along with two scores.

Defensively, Seattle’s much maligned defense had its best performance of the year in the victory over the 49ers.

The Seahawks limited the 49ers’ offense to 116 yards and had two takeaways in the first half, including an interception of Garopolo by nickelback D.J. Reed Jr. to set up Seattle’s first score. Reed Jr., who was waved by the 49ers in August, was making his Seattle debut after being activated off the non-football injury list on Saturday.

San Francisco did finish with 351 yards of total offense, but most of that came in the fourth quarter with Seattle in control of the game.

Bobby Wagner, Seattle’s All-Pro middle linebacker, continued to be the gold standard at the position with a vintage performance. Wagner was all over the field, finishing with 11 tackles and two of Seattle’s three sacks on the day.

Seattle and San Francisco will meet again in Week 17 at Levi’s Stadium to close out the 2020 season.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Rich Perez for Jeremiah Salmonson: Regardless of the Seahawks struggling defense Garoppolo knows their reputation

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws against the New England Patriots in the first half of Sun Oct 25, 2020 at Foxboro the 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sun Nov 1st (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Rich Perez for Jeremiah:

#1 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said that the Seattle Seahawks defense will be well prepared for Sunday despite allowing a league high for yardage.

#2 The Seahawks had a struggle with the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale last Sunday when they lost in overtime 37-34. Again Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and the offense provided enough points to win but the defense couldn’t keep the Cardinals out of the red zone for that overtime portion of Sunday Night Football.

#3 Garoppolo is not looking at all the yardage that the Seahawks gave up during the season but he’s looking at what this defense has had in it’s reputation is that something Garoppolo should be concerned about?

#4 In regards to the injuries Garoppolo said, “It’s not just smooth sailing like it was last year, win after win. We’ve had ups and downs and I think that’s kind of made us battle tested.”

#5 The contest is at Centurylink Field this Sunday and there will be no 12th man as that place can get very noisy but none the less it’s a place that has been challenging for the 49ers in the past.

Rich Perez filled Jeremiah for the 49ers podcasts Saturday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: 49ers have multiple injuries but can they get by Seahawks struggling defense?

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The Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks for day light as he’s pursued by the Arizona Cardinals strong safety Bubba Baker (32) and outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the second half of Sun Oct 25th’s game in Glendale (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers have three players on the injured reserve list tight end Jordan Reed, cornerback K’Waun Williams, and running back Tevin Coleman. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said they might not be playing in Seattle this Sunday as all three players have knee injuries.

#2 The 49ers have more injuries their dealing with wide receiver Jimmie Ward (quadriceps), Jaquiski Tartt (groin) didn’t practice on Wed, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), wide receiver Jeff Wilson (ankle) on IR, cornerback Jason Verrett (hamstring) didn’t practice Wed.

#3 Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll understood why the 49ers traded up six spots to get wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, Carroll said “he’s really good, a really good player” Aiyuk has 20 catches for 280 yards and a touchdown.

#4 Aiyuk had a season high of six catches, 115 yards against New England last Sunday so the Seahawks could be keying in on Aiyuk on Sunday.

#5 The 49ers are in Seattle this Sunday and face quarterback Russell Wilson who on Oct 11th at Centurylink threw a come back winning touchdown after being down 13-0 at the half. Wilson commandeered a 94 yard drive and with 15 second left in the game threw a game winning touchdown to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 27-26.

Join Joe Hawkes each Friday for the 49ers podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

49ers’ defense will have its hands full with Seahawks’ Russell Wilson in key NFC West showdown

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The Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on the move to throw to a receiver during Oct 11, 2020 game against the Minnesota Vikings at Centurylink Field in Seattle in first half action (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

Its no big secret that the key for any team into stopping the Seattle Seahawks is to corral quarterback Russell Wilson.

Easier said than done.

Wilson’s uncanny ability to avoid would-be pass rushers and find an open DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett downfield for big gains has become routine this season. You almost take him for granted because we expect him to turn a broken play into a great play.

Both Lockett (45 catches/542 yards/7 TD) and Metcalf (24 catches/519 yards/5 TD) have made huge plays for Wilson this year that has put Wilson in prime position to win his first MVP award.

Simply put, Wilson is amazing at playing quarterback in the NFL.

San Francisco’s defense will have its hands full with Wilson as the 49ers (4-3) travel to the Pacific Northwest for a pivotal NFC West matchup against the Seahawks (5-1) on Sunday afternoon from CenturyLink Field.

The last time the 49ers were in Seattle, Week 17 of last season, San Francisco prevailed 26-21 in a heart-wrenching game that was decided by a goal-line stop by then-rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw on Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister. Greenlaw’s tackle wrapped up the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed for San Francisco in front a loud sellout crowd.

This time around, the division isn’t on the line and there won’t be any raucous fans at CenturyLink Field due to the pandemic. But a win for the 49ers would pull them within half-game of first-place Seattle, making for a tighter race with both the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams both at 5-2.

The same Arizona Cardinals that handed the Seahawks their first loss of the season last week, 37-34, in overtime in Phoenix on Sunday Night Football. In that game, Wilson completed 33 of 50 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns, but tossed three costly interceptions in losing for the first time in his nine-year career when leading by four or more points at halftime.

He had been 59-0 in such situations according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Oh yeah, that same Arizona Cardinals team that shocked the 49ers 24-20 in Week 1 at Levi’s Stadium.

You don’t think the 49ers, the reigning NFC champions, wasn’t paying attention like the rest of America when Wilson looked mortal in game for once this season?

The answer would be a resounding yes.

Despite season-ending injuries to defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (knee), along with cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) and defensive end Dee Ford (back) both missing significant time this season, San Francisco’s defense has remained steady this season.

The unit ranks fifth in total defense this season allowing just 19.4 points per game, which includes the 43-17 home drubbing at the hands of the Miami Dolphins that left the 49ers at 2-3 and many declaring their season over.

Seattle’s offense ranks tops in the NFL in scoring, averaging 33.8 points per game. Wilson leads all quarterbacks in touchdowns (22) and passer rating (119.4) to go along with just six interceptions.

Last week, the San Francisco’s defense played without both starting safeties in Jaquiski Tartt (groin) and Jimmie Ward (quad) and limited the New England Patriots to just 241 yards of total offense in a 33-6 demolishing in an empty Gillette Stadium. The defense recorded four interceptions.

San Francisco must find a way to generate a consistent pass rush against Wilson, who is an escape artist when the pocket collapses. Tackling Wilson is harder than tackling a tadpole in shallow water.

Through seven games, the 49ers have sacked opposing quarterbacks 19 times this season, which is good for ninth in the NFL. Defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. leads the 49ers with 3.5 sacks.

Fellow defensive end Arik Armstead has had some success at getting to Wilson in the past, registering 2.5 sacks in eight games.

Since the Seahawks drafted Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he’s 12-4 against the 49ers (the most wins against any team) with 3,347 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions with a 97.9 passer rating.

With injuries to Chris Carson (mid-foot sprain), Carlos Hyde (hamstring) and Travis Homer (knee), rookie DeeJay Dallas is the only healthy running back on Seattle’s roster, so the game could be in Wilson’s hands even more come Sunday.

The last three matchups against these two rivals have come down to the final possession. So we could very well see a replay Sunday of Week 17 where Wilson has the football in his hands and San Francisco’s defense will need a stop to walk away with a victory.