Unfortunately, the 49ers are no stranger to injuries this season, and they suffered another big one on Sunday. What does the loss of George Kittle do to the offense, and who needs to step up in his absence?
Jeannel: Losing TE George Kittle as a run blocker and playmaker is massive, but the 49ers have shown all season they’re not broken by adversity. Kittle suffered a torn Achilles in the second quarter against Philadelphia, yet even while heading to the locker room he was clapping and encouraging teammates, embodying the energy McCaffrey later called the “heart and soul” of the team. On the field, others will need to step into bigger roles, starting with TE Jake Tonges, who delivered in Week 1 against Seattle with three catches and the go-ahead touchdown after Kittle exited early. QB Brock Purdy’s connections with Tonges and WR Ricky Pearsall in the season opener will need to resurface in the divisional round, pending Pearsall’s return. I’d expect FB Kyle Juszczyk to be featured more as well, both as a run blocker and receiver, as Kyle Shanahan leans into creative looks to keep the offense on schedule.
Other than the obvious big names, what player or players could you see being an X-factor in this one?
Jeannel: One name to watch is Bay Area native Tonges, a reliable backup to Kittle who finished the season with 34 catches for 293 yards and five touchdowns and has proven he can deliver in big moments. Wide receiver DeMarcus Robinson could once again play a major role after stepping up last week with six catches for 111 yards and a touchdown while Pearsall and Kittle were sidelined. Defensively, I’ll have my eye on rookie linemen C.J. West and Alfred Collins, as stacking strong performances against the Seahawks’ Walker–Charbonnet run game combo will be critical in this matchup.
What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out in the second meeting between these teams in the past three weeks?
Jeannel: The key battle is the 49ers offensive line versus the Seahawks defensive front. That matchup will largely determine whether McCaffrey can operate at full capacity. Left tackle Trent Williams, who missed the Week 18 loss in Seattle, gives San Francisco a massive boost in down blocks and double team scenarios. Without Williams in Week 18, the 49ers were limited to 180 total yards; with him in Week 1, they totaled 386 yards in Seattle. His presence is a huge factor for this offense, and how the line handles Seattle’s front could decide the game.