Kyle Shanahan loves calling plays, but even that will be one of several challenges awaiting him when the 49ers travel to CenturyLink Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks.
“It’s tough and that’s the challenge for every team that plays in Seattle, really probably for the last seven years or whatever it is,” Shanahan said on Tolbert and Lund on Thursday. “They have a great defensive line and they’re even better at home because, you’re right, you can’t hear there and it’s a huge challenge.”
Despite the strength of Seattle’s defensive line, the 49ers are better prepared to face such a defense, thanks to the extensive knowledge of Shanahan and Robert Saleh. Although the 49ers are familiarized with Seattle’s style of defense, opportunities to move up the field against the Seahawks will be few and San Francisco need to take advantage of any chance they are given.
“We have to get rid of the ball fast, receivers need to be able to get open and manage our third downs, which means you have to run the ball well and you have to be consistent with it.”
As much as they can, the 49ers need to get open in order for Brian Hoyer to make smart passes. Against the Panthers, a majority of Hoyer’s passes were to receivers in tight coverage. It is likely, given their defensive prowess, the Seahawks will be less forgiving than the Panthers were with those close passes.
“What you can’t have happen there is when your guys get beat it turns into a sack fumble or you throw it too early and turns into a bad decision. We just have to make sure the worst case scenario is a sack,” Shanahan said. “There are going to be ups and downs in a game, but you have to survive and don’t make it catastrophic by turning the ball over and giving them a quick seven.”
If the 49ers hope to compete against Seattle, they need to contain their defense and use Seattle’s weak offensive line in their favor. If the defense can limit Russell Wilson’s options, the 49ers can hope to keep this a close game.
To listen to the full interview, check out the podcast below and skip to 8:30 for Shanahan on Seahawks.