Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EDT, Amazon Prime Video
Series Record: Seahawks lead 30-22
Last Meeting: 49ers defeated Seahawks 28-16 on Dec. 10, 2023
The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks renew their NFC West rivalry in a critical Week 6 matchup at Lumen Field. Both teams come into this contest off narrow losses and will be eager to get back on track in the competitive division.
The 49ers narrowly fell to the Arizona Cardinals, 24-23, in Week 5 despite a strong offensive effort. Meanwhile, the Seahawks lost 29-20 to the New York Giants, struggling with turnovers and defensive lapses. As they face off on Thursday night, Seattle aims to protect its home field advantage, while the 49ers look to extend their five-game winning streak over the Seahawks—a run that dates back to 2021.
The 49ers have continued to run the ball effectively despite the absence of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. Third-year back Jordan Mason has taken over as the lead rusher, averaging 107 yards per game and scoring three touchdowns this season. With 536 rushing yards on 105 carries (5.1 yards per attempt), Mason has proven to be a dynamic threat.
Seattle’s run defense has struggled recently, particularly over the last two weeks, which makes containing Mason a top priority. Missing key defenders like LB Uchenna Nwosu and DT Byron Murphy II, the Seahawks’ front seven will have its hands full against San Francisco’s physical run game.
After a slow start to the season, Brandon Aiyuk delivered a standout performance in Week 5, catching eight passes for 147 yards. The 49ers will hope for a repeat effort against a banged-up Seahawks secondary, missing starting cornerback Riq Woolen. Aiyuk’s ability to stretch the field could open up opportunities for San Francisco’s balanced offense, especially with the Seahawks’ focus on stopping the run.
Geno Smith has been a consistent bright spot for Seattle this season, leading the NFL in passing yards with 1,466 yards through five games. Despite dealing with heavy pressure—he’s been sacked 18 times, the second-most in the league—Smith has maintained a 71.9% completion rate, ranking among the league’s most accurate passers. If the Seahawks are to keep pace with the 49ers’ high-powered offense, Smith’s play will be pivotal.
Both teams are dealing with significant injuries heading into Thursday night:
•Seattle: LB Uchenna Nwosu (thigh) is a potential IR candidate, while DT Byron Murphy II (hamstring) remains sidelined. The absence of CB Riq Woolen (ankle) could open up opportunities for the 49ers’ passing game, and the statuses of LB Derick Hall (foot), LB Boye Mafe (knee), and S Julian Love (hamstring) remain uncertain.
•San Francisco: K Jake Moody (ankle) is out, with Matthew Wright taking over kicking duties. Defensively, the 49ers will be without S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist), LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf), and DT Jordan Elliott (knee), while CB Charvarius Ward (knee) and WR Chris Conley (oblique) are questionable.
The Seahawks hold the all-time series lead at 30-22, but the 49ers have won their last five meetings, including a 28-16 victory in their most recent clash in December 2023. Prior to this streak, Seattle had a run of dominance, winning four straight over San Francisco. Thursday’s matchup marks the 51st regular-season meeting between the two teams, a rivalry that dates back to the Seahawks’ inaugural season in 1976. The teams have also split two postseason matchups, including an NFC Championship game and a Wild Card game.
This NFC West showdown features two teams with contrasting strengths—San Francisco’s physical run game and balanced offense against Seattle’s explosive passing attack. The 49ers’ recent dominance in the series gives them an edge, but with Seattle playing at home, this game could come down to which team can make key stops on defense. Expect a close contest with playoff implications as both teams fight to stay in the divisional race.
