What We Saw: Week 4

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Seahawks @ 49ers

Final Score: Seahawks 28, 49ers 21

Writer: Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter)

In a game that officially welcomed us to Trey Lance SZN, featured Russell Wilson‘s unmatched poise and playmaking, proved why Deebo Samuel should not have been slept on, supported Trey Sermon‘s draft capital, had a punter kicking field goals, and sadly left us with an injured Trent Williams (no update yet – shoulder), the only name I keep coming back to is Trenton Cannon. He was a disaster out there today. Before the half, Seattle started from their own 25 after a punt that resulted in a touchback. They would comfortably score a game-tying touchdown. What would have made a difference, is if Trenton Cannon didn’t grab the punt as it was moving toward the end zone, and then proceed to roll in like a child gleefully rolling down a hill. He was seemingly very excited about his efforts, and that just makes me think he may not understand how touchbacks work. He also botched multiple kick returns that resulted in short field touchdowns for the Seahawks. Ultimately, despite Seattle’s own attempts to lose the game through a poorly executed and overworked run game, the Seahawks were able to come away with the win, Seattle 28, San Francisco 21.

Seattle Seahawks

Quarterback

Russell Wilson: 16/23, 149 yards, 2 TD | 4 carries, 26 yards, TD

Russell Wilson did everything that was asked of him. Per usual, he had a slow first half with limited pass attempts, and then turned it on when he needed to in order to secure the win. Though he was slightly off today, throwing behind open targets on more than one occasion, he was everything the Seahawks needed. It’s clear that Russ is not going to cook. Ever. Well, at least not in Seattle. Mr. Unlimited is very much limited by Pete Carroll and until he gets traded or Pete retires, don’t ever expect him to be THE QB1. He still has the speed to outpace defenders on the edge and pick up first downs without taking big hits and if they let him create more, they may not need to come from behind every game or play it close to the last couple drives.

He's running, he's diving, and @DangeRussWilson is IN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!

SEAHAWKS LEAD 🙌

📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX pic.twitter.com/WDBkuG6TDc

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 3, 2021

Running Backs

Chris Carson: 13 carries, 30 yards | 1 target, 1 catch, 1 yard

Alex Collins: 10 carries, 44 yards, TD | 2 targets, 2 catches, 34 yards

Travis Homer: 1 carry, 5 yards

This was not the fault of Chris Carson. The 49ers clearly went in with a game plan that was predicated on stopping Chris Carson at all costs while getting pressure on Russell Wilson; the rest would just have to do their best. Every single time Carson touched the ball, he had at least three defenders facing him up ready for the hit. Alex Collins ended up being the more efficient back as his elusive, quick-twitch style is the 49ers kryptonite. None of the backs were involved in the passing game outside of play-action and staying in to chip block or pass protect as the defensive line was getting to Russ all game.

.@Budda03 flips in to the end zone for SIX! 🙌

📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX pic.twitter.com/DdHKJFLxut

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 3, 2021

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

DK Metcalf: 8 targets, 4 receptions, 65 yards, TD

Tyler Lockett: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 24 yards

Will Dissly: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 5 yards

Freddie Swain: 4 targets, 3 reception, 20 yards, TD

With limited opportunity, D.K. Metcalf and Freddie Swain were still able to return value as both found the end zone. D.K. was able to muscle the defenders off of him, but Russ being slightly off today hurt his ceiling. Tyler Lockett played a step slow and had trouble getting behind the secondary that played above expectations. Normally, I would have expected the Swain touchdown to go Lockett’s way as it was a boundary touchdown on a scramble after Russ avoided two tackles in the backfield, Lockett’s bread and butter. Will Dissly was a disappointment as he was a streaming favorite with Dee Eskridge and Gerald Everett out. He was never really involved and had trouble getting open with sticky coverage from the SF linebackers.

If this group could get into a rhythm, it wouldn’t have to boom or bust and could consistently support two to three WRs in fantasy terms. Like with Russell though, this just seems to be what fantasy managers will need to bake into the price when determining the long-term value of Seattle’s playmakers.

.@DangeRussWilson hit 'em with the razzle dazzle 💫🙌

WE LOVE TO SEE IT

📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX pic.twitter.com/qgNGIxrDNg

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 3, 2021

San Francisco 49ers

Quarterback

Jimmy Garoppolo: 14/23, 165 yards, TD, INT

Trey Lance: 9/18, 157 yards, 2 TD | 7 carries, 41 yards

Jimmy Garoppolo turned in another uninspiring 1st half. His lack of vision over the middle is astounding for someone that routinely works that part of the field. Not only did he completely miss Quandre Diggs looking to jump the route on George Kittle on his interception, but he missed some wide-open check-downs in the middle of the zone that would have led to large gains from Trey Sermon. The rushing game was setting him up in a lot of short-yardage situations, but he continued to fail on 3rd down. The 49ers converted just a single third down in the first half, one for six. Jimmy G left with a strained calf and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. With that in mind…

Welcome to Trey Lance season everyone! Lance was erratic but he was also explosive. He has a lot of learning to do between reading plays quicker, keeping his footwork consistent, and most importantly, throwing a better ball. On one end zone target, Kittle was able to grab the ball with two hands but was hit just after high pointing it, resulting in a dropped touchdown. To be fair to Kittle, his catch was less than perfect and the ball was already loose in his hands, making it easier to separate him from the ball because Lance’s wobbly pass sailed a bit high on him. That was the theme of today though, explosive plays and mechanical issues. He looked a bit like Cam Newton in many ways. He threw from his back foot at times, the drop in arm angle looked habitual, and his throws had a tendency to miss high. Hopefully, with Lance receiving the first-team reps now, they can expedite the tweak to his mechanics.

Projecting off a small showing, his fantasy outlook is going to excite a lot of managers. He felt the pressure well, maybe too well, as he was more than comfortable pulling it down to convert with his legs. If he can keep Jimmy on the bench, we are going to get a taste of the season everyone is clamoring for a bit earlier than we could have hoped.

Trey Lance converts the 4th down to Deebo Samuel. #FTTB

📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/gDLh0oakfZ

— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021

Running Backs

Trey Sermon: 19 carries, 89 yards

Jacques Patrick: 2 carries, 12 yards

Kyle Juszczyk: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 40 yards

Trey Sermon looked legit. Every time he touched the ball, you knew he was gaining at least 5 yards. He was consistent, patient, and showed a blend of burst and power, but he never felt like a threat to break out the long touchdown run fans have become accustomed to seeing. If Elijah Mitchell is healthy, I could see a tandem approach moving forward if Kyle Shanahan is looking for a home run swing. The two backs have distinct running styles as Mitchell is able to hit the outside with the speed necessary to take advantage of the points created in the edge blocking, but has a distinct weakness in seeing the holes form between the tackles.

Sermon’s vision inside is what sets him apart, but he’ll need to speed up his cut outside if he ever wants to lead the backfield. He also showed, though in limited opportunity, his ability to get open in space and be completely ignored, a true talent. His targets will need to start coming sooner than later as the 49ers look to ease Lance into the starting role. Jimmy ran a series of dump offs, screens, and slants; let Trey Lance do the same for now.

The more I watch, the more it feels like it's going to be a split approach w/ Sermon and Mitchell. Mitchell doesn't have the inside ability Sermon has, but Mitchell has the speed outside the Tackle. pic.twitter.com/aVducTqFah

— Eat The Rich (@_Doombot12_) October 4, 2021

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Deebo Samuel: 12 targets, 8 reception, 156 yards, 2 TD | 1 carry, 1 yard

George Kittle: 11 target, 4 reception, 40 yards

Brandon Aiyuk: 3 targets, 1 reception, 15 yards

Mohamed Sanu Sr: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 35 yards

Trent Sherfield: 2 targets, 0 receptions, 0 yards

Ross Dwelley: 1 target, 1 reception, 21 yards, TD

Jauan Jennings: 1 target, 1 reception, 14 yards

They need to get all the wideouts together on the same page or this group will never hit its ceiling. Deebo Samuel has been as successful as Shanahan has designed the passing game around the connection of Jimmy G and Deebo. It’s clear he is getting schemed open as Brandon Aiyuk is now working further downfield.

George Kittle received the second most targets to Deebo, but the quality of his targets was much lower. He did have a key block on Deebo’s touchdown where he drove a defender nearly through the end zone, so if you’re looking at his stat line wondering if he was healthy and able, the answer is an emphatic yes. Again, they will need to get the rest of the group schemed better or defenders are just going to sit on Deebo’s routes and create a lot of issues. This team is in real trouble right now, and if they don’t spread the ball in a cohesive fashion to ALL their biggest playmakers on offense, they’re going to be golfing early this year.