“49ers Talk” co-hosts Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan dissected San Francisco’s struggles in the red zone this season, a problem that came to light again in their loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald is well aware of the challenge his defense will face on Thursday night against the 49ers’ powerful offense. Speaking on the “Brock and Salk” show, Macdonald emphasized just how dangerous San Francisco’s offense can be.
“If you’re not careful, they can gash you in a hurry,” Macdonald noted. “You can play 15 plays well in a row, but the 16th play can cut right through you. They’re a really good operation, and I have a ton of respect for those guys.”
Macdonald, who has been matching wits with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan since 2014, spoke highly of the precision and physicality of Shanahan’s schemes. “The violence and precision in how they run their game is really impressive. They know exactly what they’re doing and stick to it.”
Both the Seahawks and the 49ers are coming off disappointing losses on Sunday, leaving little time to regroup before their pivotal NFC West clash at Lumen Field. With the 49ers at 0-2 in the division, they desperately need a win to keep pace. Meanwhile, Seattle currently sits atop the NFC West, but a 49ers victory would see both teams tied for the divisional lead, providing a much-needed boost for San Francisco.
The absence of star running back Christian McCaffrey has hindered the 49ers’ ability to make big plays on offense, despite a solid performance from Jordan Mason. On the other hand, the Seahawks’ defense has faltered in recent games, allowing big plays through the air. This could be an opportunity for quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ offense to capitalize and establish control of the game.
With Macdonald’s deep familiarity with Shanahan’s play-calling, Thursday night’s matchup promises to be a thrilling contest with significant implications for the NFC West standings.