San Francisco 49ers: Exploiting A Weakness in the Seattle Seahawks

Dec 23, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks have formed one of the best rivalries in the NFL over the last two years. These games are known for being very physical matchups. Each team knows the other very well. Both of these teams have made a rapid ascent to the top of the NFL’s power rankings.

This year will be no different. They will play on week two of the NFL season in Seattle. This game has already been selected as a primetime game.

The Seahawks really don’t have any true weakness, but there is an area where the 49ers can take advantage of. The one distinct advantage for the 49ers comes in the trenches.

The 49ers’ front seven is the best in the NFL. Justin Smith and Ray MacDonald do an excellent job of holding their ground against the running game. Justin Smith and Aldon Smith form a very deadly pass rushing attack with their stunts and Aldon Smith’s full arsenal of pass rushing moves.

Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey are new comers to the defensive line. Williams will be the starter. Justin Smith has complimented Williams throughout training camp.

“Ian gives us the ability to do some new things because of his quickness,” said Smith. “There isn’t a drop off from Isaac [Sopoaga] and RJF [Rickey Jean Francois].”

Ahmad Brooks also does a good job of pressuring the quarterback and dropping back into coverage. He had a momentum turning pick six against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints last year.

The front seven is completed by the best inside linebacker duo in the NFL, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. Both of these players are first team All Pros and can do it all. Willis is the better blitzer of the two but Bowman is better in coverage.

The 49ers will need to keep the Seahawks’ scoring to a minimum because every time these teams play, it is a dog fight. These are two of the top teams when it comes to points allowed per game. Points will be at a minimum.

If you look at the last few games that the 49ers and Seahawks have played, you will see that the success of the 49ers hinges upon how effective Frank Gore is. If he is able to get 100 yards rushing, it is more likely for the 49ers to win.

This obviously depends on the offensive line to open running lanes. The 49ers have invested a lot of stock in this position. They have three first round picks: Joe Staley, Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis on the offensive line. The offense is powered by the running game. Greg Roman has made it a point to run the ball from a variety of formations and using a number of running backs.

The primary way that the 49ers can attack the Seahawks is through the advantages that they have up front. These teams are mirror images of each other. Both play hard core defense and employ a power running game. The 49ers are better in the trenches and that is what makes them the better of the two teams.