New Faces, New Places

This is a game where both teams look dissimilar to how they looked at the end of last season. Huge pieces came flying off the board for both teams. One thing that remains, is the distaste these division rivals have for each other. Let’s see how things have changed in San Francisco and Seattle.

Seattle lost arguably two of their biggest weapons last year in Geno Smith and D.K. Metcalf. They lost a couple other guys like Roy Robertson-Harris and longtime Seahawk Tyler Lockett, but I like the way their depth chart sits now. They still have Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is a demon in the slot. Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet still reside in the backfield together. Julian Love, Riq Woolen, and Devon Witherspoon will still be covering the deep part of the field. And they added Cooper Kupp and Sam Darnold. Things may be different, but change is good sometimes. If Darnold can show me he has still got it, all will be well. There was a stretch of games where Darnold looked more like Jets Sam Darnold, and they did lose to the Rams in the Wild Card 9-27, but that was last year. New team, (again), new Darnold, (again.)

As for the 49ers, well they may as well be a different team from last year. Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams, and a couple other guys is all who remain. The Niners lost 17 players to free agency. SEVENTEEN. Deebo Samuel, Jordan Mason, Maliek Collins, Leonard Floyd, and Talanoa Hufanga. Just to name a few. Impact players with years on their contracts. But GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan will not stand for stagnation. Finishing 6-11 was rock bottom. And while it’s not a rebuild, it’s certainly a nice restructuring for the roster. I think I like the Niners because I think Purdy and McCaffrey will get hot early, but I give the Seahawks an equal chance. The Niners defense is not completely gelled yet, and they’re a touch thin at WR. I think you could say the same for Sam Darnold and the Seahawks offense, but hence my 50/50 call.