SEA 3-1
Sunday
October 11
October 11
SF 4-0
Week 5 · Game prepPublished October 8, 2026
HATE WEEK
The Niners arrive unbeaten. Seattle remembers 13-3 and 41-6. The question: how much of last season’s dominance carries into a new team, a new season and a fresh fight for the NFC West?
Lumen Field · Sunday, October 11 · 1:25 p.m. PT / 3:25 p.m. CT · FOX
A Seattle win puts both teams at 4-1 and gives the Seahawks the head-to-head edge. A loss leaves Seattle two games back.
Are the 4-0 49ers for real?The War Room read: yes, with something left to prove
Four wins alone do not settle it. The scoring margins make the stronger case: San Francisco has scored 122 points and allowed 64, a +58 differential. Three wins came by double digits. Arizona stayed within six, so there is already evidence of a competitive game beneath the undefeated record.
| Week | Opponent | 49ers result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rams · Melbourne | W 27-7 |
| 2 | Dolphins · home | W 35-13 |
| 3 | Cardinals · home | W 36-30 |
| 4 | Broncos · home | W 24-14 |
Results: 49ers schedule. Points and per-game averages below are calculated from those four scores.
30.5SF points / game
16.0SF allowed / game
+58SF differential
0Purdy sacks taken
Purdy has avoided a sack through four games. Seattle needs to disrupt a functioning passing game, not wait for protection to collapse on its own. His movement makes disciplined rush lanes as important as beating a blocker.
After Melbourne and three home games, this is San Francisco’s first visit to an opponent’s stadium this season. Lumen adds a communication test. That is a reason to watch the protection closely, not a reason to dismiss four wins.
Protection context: 49ers offensive-line review.
Our assessment: Treat San Francisco as a contender. Seattle has a credible route to winning through pressure, disciplined coverage and possession control. Expecting another blowout would skip the work required to produce one.
Same opponent. New test.What 13-3 and 41-6 tell us
Seattle closed the 2025 regular season by winning the division and the NFC’s top seed. The score was modest, but the defensive control was decisive.
The divisional-round rematch became a rout. Seattle dominated all three phases and advanced. Across those two meetings, the Seahawks won 54-9.
The repeatable part is the approach: disciplined run fits, tackles which end the play, disguised coverage and pressure without easy escape routes. The final margin is an outcome, not a starting assumption.
Macdonald’s new-year, new-team message fits here. In March, he framed 2026 as a fresh group with a fresh challenge. San Francisco also has Raheem Morris coordinating its defense, while Seattle’s offense operates under Brian Fleury. Personnel, health and how each staff attacks the matchup deserve more weight than a January scoreboard.
One key difference from the playoff game: the 49ers entered it without Fred Warner and lost George Kittle to an Achilles injury in the preceding round. Those absences shaped the matchup. This week’s prep needs to account for both players instead of projecting the same offensive and defensive limitations.
Sources: official January recaps · Macdonald’s new-team approach · January matchup context.
Where this game turnsMatchup analysis
Make the first option late, then keep Purdy contained. Kittle and McCaffrey punish defenders who chase the backfield action and lose the route behind them. Seattle’s rush and coverage need to finish the same play.
Kupp’s preview describes a 49ers defense willing to rush fewer players and protect the deep field. Seattle needs patient completions, useful runs and routes which make underneath defenders choose between two threats.
Move him across formations. If coverage follows, another receiver gains space. If it stays in zones, motion helps Darnold identify the handoff points. The read is coverage quality, not target count alone.
Seattle forced four takeaways against the Chargers but still needed a late stop. This week, protect the ball and turn defensive wins into sustained offense. A turnover advantage loses value when penalties hand back first downs.
Sources: Kupp’s coverage preview · Macdonald’s Week 5 preview · Week 4 review.
10 things to watchKeep this open on game day
Scouting reads with observable checks. We will revisit them after the game.
01
Make Purdy reset his feet
The first rush needs to disrupt his timing. The second effort needs to contain him. A sack is useful, but forcing a late checkdown or an off-platform throw also changes the down. Reckless edge pressure gives him a clean escape.
Game-day check: Track sacks, throwaways and scrambles separately. Does pressure end the play or extend it?
02
Win first down against McCaffrey
Seattle needs second-and-long before disguises become a weapon. Fit the run with discipline, then tackle the checkdown before it becomes an easy first down. Selling out against the run leaves the play-action window behind the linebackers.
Game-day check: On each 49ers drive, note whether the first play gains five or more yards.
03
Find Kittle before the snap
Kittle creates a conflict between run support and coverage. Watch his alignment, motion and release. A late safety rotation only helps if Seattle still passes off the seam and crossing routes cleanly.
Game-day check: Count catches beyond the sticks and uncovered releases, especially off play action.
04
Make the fullback replacement prove it
Juszczyk’s expected absence changes who handles lead blocks, motion and pass protection. San Francisco plans to use its tight ends in those jobs. Seattle must identify the replacement’s assignment instead of assuming a two-back look disappeared.
Game-day check: Watch who lines up at fullback and whether Seattle follows motion without losing the cutback lane.
05
Take the completions Morris offers
Kupp described a defense willing to drop seven or eight and limit downfield throws. Darnold needs to stay patient. JSN attracts attention, leaving an opening for Kupp, the tight ends or the back underneath.
Game-day check: Count early-down completions which keep Seattle ahead of the sticks. Avoid forced throws into crowded windows.
06
Give the run game another useful week
Emanuel Wilson and the line supplied a needed response against the Chargers. The goal here is manageable down-and-distance, even without long runs. Heavy personnel only helps if Seattle remains credible throwing from the same look.
Game-day check: Watch whether Seattle reaches third-and-3 or shorter without needing a scramble or penalty.
07
Test the injured secondary with motion
Upton Stout and Marques Sigle missed Wednesday practice. Their availability and replacements matter for slot coverage, communication and tackling. Move JSN around and make the defense declare its responsibilities.
Game-day check: Look for late checks, defenders pointing after the snap, and free access to the inside.
08
Watch Leonard Williams on passing downs
Williams practiced on a limited basis after his ankle injury. Availability alone will not reveal his effectiveness. Interior push keeps Purdy from stepping through edge pressure and helps Seattle defend the run with fewer resources.
Game-day check: Compare the pocket and run fits with Williams on the field versus his rotation snaps.
09
Make third-down stops count
Seattle must finish possessions without extending them through penalties. Last week’s 14 penalties for 150 yards left too many chances for Los Angeles. Against this offense, a stop followed by a flag is another scoring opportunity.
Game-day check: Record conversions allowed on third-and-7 or longer and first downs surrendered by penalty.
10
Finish the fourth quarter with the ball
The Chargers game showed the danger of going quiet with a lead. Seattle needs positive early-down plays, secure exchanges and enough first downs to control the final possessions. A rivalry game does not require a reckless knockout throw.
Game-day check: On Seattle’s final three possessions, track first downs, giveaways and time taken off the clock.
Availability changes the planWednesday, October 7 practice report
Practice participation is separate from a final game designation. Thursday and Friday updates are not included in this edition.
Seattle
- Leonard Williams, ankle: limited. Watch his workload and interior push.
- George Holani, ribs, and Beau Stephens, knee: limited. Backfield depth and right-guard availability matter.
- Tyrice Knight and Nehemiah Pritchett, ankles: limited. Chazz Surratt, calf: did not practice.
- Zach Charbonnet, knee: limited while on PUP. Macdonald said he will not play this week.
- JSN: rest day, not an injury absence. Ty Okada and Patrick O’Connell: full participants.
San Francisco
- Nick Bosa, knee/calf, and Kyle Juszczyk, knee: did not practice. Shanahan does not expect Bosa back this week and expects Juszczyk to miss a few weeks.
- Marques Sigle, ankle, Upton Stout, shoulder, and James Thompson, ankle: did not practice.
- Mike Evans, ribs, and Mykel Williams, knee: limited. Williams’ potential return depends on his progress.
- McCaffrey, Trent Williams and Dre Greenlaw: rest days, not injury absences.
Sources: official Wednesday report · Shanahan’s availability update · Charbonnet update.
Our predictionsComing before kickoff
Jesse + the group
Score picks will appear here once submitted. No Week 5 scores have been entered yet.