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 untracked 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 recently acquired Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams, who has missed practice this week with an ankle injury.
“I feel like we have all the talent in the world. The talent is there. The want to is there.”
In addition to Williams, Seahawks running backs Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and Zach Charbonnet (knee) have missed practice time as well as linebacker Jordyn Brooks (ankle), safety Jamal Adams (knee) and cornerback Tre Brown (heel).
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 following a bye week.
Their biggest victory came last Sunday in Philadelphia, 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 are also dealing with some injuries, as running back Elijah Mitchell (knee), tight end Ross Dwelley (ankle), offensive guard Spencer Burford (knee), defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot/knee) and cornerback Darrell Luter (hamstring) have sat out practice this week.
–Field Level Media