Ever the optimist, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll still believes he has a playoff team.
But the Seahawks reside below the postseason cutoff line after absorbing three consecutive losses and four in the past five games heading into Sunday’s showdown against the NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers (9-3) in Santa Clara, Calif.
“I just believe we’re of that caliber,” Carroll said. “We have to find our way through it and get there. I don’t know that there’s enough games. Maybe there isn’t. Maybe we run out of games. I don’t know. But we’re going to have to make some big noise here in the next couple of weeks. And then we’ve got to just keep on going.”
After a 41-35 loss last Thursday at Dallas, the Seahawks face the 49ers for the second time in 17 days. San Francisco won 31-13 at Lumen Field on Thanksgiving night as Christian McCaffrey rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
The Seahawks’ offense got on track against Dallas, after entering the game with 20 consecutive possessions without a touchdown. Geno Smith threw for 334 yards and three TDs — all to DK Metcalf — and also rushed for a score.
But Seattle’s defense allowed 25 or more points for the fourth time in the past five games.
“There is just something small that is lacking right now that we can tighten up and finish these close games,” said Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams, who was recently acquired.
“I feel like we have all the talent in the world. The talent is there. The want to is there.”
Smith “tweaked” a groin at practice Thursday, Carroll said, leading him to sit out Friday and carry a questionable designation into the game. Drew Lock would start if Smith cannot.
Seattle also listed running backs Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and Zach Charbonnet (knee), wide receiver Dee Eskridge (ribs), nose tackle Jarran Reed (hamstring), linebacker Jordyn Brooks (ankle) and cornerback Tre Brown (heel) as questionable.
The 49ers have won four consecutive games, one shy of their season high. After starting 5-0, they lost three in a row before rebounding after a bye week.
Their biggest victory came in Philadelphia last Sunday, when they avenged a defeat in last season’s NFC Championship Game by trouncing the Eagles 42-19, scoring touchdowns on six consecutive possessions.
“Obviously, we wanted some payback,” 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said. “We tried not to think too much about last year, but we knew we could match up with them and more than that, so I think we proved a good point. Obviously, we might have to do it again against them. They’re a really good team.”
Quarterback Brock Purdy, injured on the opening drive of last season’s playoff game, completed 19 of 27 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns.
“I had full confidence that we would have this type of game from the jump,” 49ers left tackle Trent Williams said. “We got a quarterback, so made it a lot easier this time.”
The 49ers ruled out wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (rib), tight end Ross Dwelley (ankle) and defensive lineman Arik Armstead (knee, foot) for Sunday. They listed running back Elijah Mitchell (knee), guard Spencer Burford (knee) and cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (hamstring) as doubtful.
–Field Level Media
