Niners Face Huge Hurdle of Beating Seahawks in Their Nest

Just a few years ago, a 49ers-Seahawks game would be the centerpiece of an NFL weekend.

In 2016, it ranks as just another game on the early-season schedule. This is no clash of titans. The 49ers are 1-1 and the Seahawks are 1-1. Both teams are trying to solve some significant problems. Yet, one thing remains the same: the Niners are heavy underdogs at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, where the loud crowd is faithful and the Seahawks play their best. The 49ers haven’t won in Seattle since 2011.

Seattle’s defense remains formidable. It ranks No. 1 overall in the league and No. 3 against the run and No. 4 against the pass. The Seahawks didn’t yield a touchdown last week against the Los Angeles Rams, yet lost 9-3. The Seattle defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL in points allowed (19), yards allowed per game (248.5) and third-down conversion rate (just 23.1 percent).

The 49ers will have to be efficient on offense if they hope to have a chance for the upset. In their loss to the Panthers in Carolina last week, the 49ers converted on just 29 percent of their third-down plays. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert says the offense will need better productivity on first and second downs. That was their problem vs. the Panthers, he told reporters this week.

“When you’re third-and-8, -9, -10, -11-plus, your percentage of converting goes down drastically,” said Gabbert. “In the Rams game the week before, it was the exact opposite story. We were in third-and-manageable. We were executing well on first and second down, so when you’re in third-and-2, -3, -4, -5, we were 50 percent on third down.”

The Seahawks have struggled on offense more than usual. The protection for quarterback Russell Wilson hasn’t been great, so it’s possible the 49ers could get pressure on him Sunday. But, Wilson is a terrific scrambler, capable of buying time and then completing a big pass downfield. Wilson has some terrific receivers in Doug Baldwin (12 catches, 112 yards), Tyler Lockett (seven for 116) and tight end Jimmy Graham (four for 53). Plus running backs Christine Michael (25 carries, 126 yards) and Thomas Rawls (who had 209 yards rushing in his last meeting with the 49ers) are capable of having big days.

The 49ers looked shaky on both offense and defense in last week’s 46-27 loss to the Panthers, but a win Sunday in Seattle could help right their ship.